Keep Birds Happy This Winter With An Alternative Solution To Frozen Bird Baths

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When frost hits the area, tender perennials aren't the only thing to worry about. Any water in your bird bath will freeze when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, which can damage them and make them useless for the birds you're trying to help. As a more helpful alternative, try using a dark-colored plastic tray filled with water that will be less likely to freeze. Plus, it's a lot more affordable than a heat pump — you can get a six-pack of Bleuhome 6-inch black plant saucer trays for around $7.

Not every bird heads south for the winter, and for those that stick around, they need fresh water. Birds use water for drinking, of course, and to clean themselves. Cleaner feathers enable birds to fly faster and keeps them in better shape to avoid predators. But you might want to cover traditional bird baths since water in them can expand as it freezes and potentially crack basins. Try setting out a dark plastic tray filled with water instead. Water in plastic freezes slower than water in metal, glass, or ceramic baths. 

Dark colors also keep the surface warmer longer, because black holds on to more light, retaining that energy and converting it into heat. White, on the other hand, reflects the light and remains cool. That's why your dark tray will keep warmer than a white one in sunlight, even in cold temperatures. Test this theory by making a charming bird bath using only an old tomato cage and your black plastic tray. Of course, using a plastic dish won't thwart the cold forever. Eventually, if temperatures drop low enough, all water will freeze.

You can increase your tray's freeze-resistant qualities. Put the tray in a sunny spot on your patio or railing. Tuck that bath in a sheltered place away from falling snow. If ice becomes a problem, try adding a ping-pong ball to the middle of the tray. The bobbing motion of the ball might break up ice crystals on the surface and keep it thawed. You can also outsmart the weather by buying multiple bowls or containers. Then if one freezes, you can swap it out with another. 

Plastic trays do have downsides, however. They're lighter than glass or ceramic options, so they could blow away or be easily knocked over if they're not properly tied down. Add in black stones or dark pebbles to the bottom. These will weigh down your plastic bird bath and also help it absorb even more heat. Remember, though, that keeping the tray safe goes beyond just protecting it from the wind. You also need to make sure you keep it free of germs and disease. Use something like baking soda to keep it clean, a common kitchen ingredient that's the secret to a clean bird bath. 

Also, don't forget birds still need to eat in the winter — and with fresh fruit and bugs being scarcer, they might need your help to survive. Start with black oil sunflower seeds in your bird feeder. They're the right kind of food to attract more songbirds to the garden.