Heating water for bird fountains during the winter can be a difficult and difficult task, especially if the fountain is in your backyard. Your daily electricity bill may occasionally increase by as much as $3. That is detrimental to both the environment and your financial situation. It is not an option to let your backyard birds fend for themselves, though.
Both birds and bird watchers enjoy having a solar bath heater. Let’s examine some of the 8 best solar bird bath heaters available today and discuss how to pick the one that’s best for you.
The Definition Of A Bird Bath Heater
Consider the scenario where the only chance for raptors to survive the winter is the bird bath heater. We are their only chance of surviving because they are unable to build them themselves.
This means that the bird bath heaters are an accessory for a standard bird bath that helps to keep the water defrosted and pleasant throughout the entire winter. It is inexpensive and greatly benefits the small animals with which we share the planet.
Why Should I Invest In A Birdbath?
- Snow typically has a temperature just below or around freezing. For small birds in particular, melting the snow consumes a lot of energy.
- Snow takes up more room than water. Think of the counter as the melting surface of a sizable glass of snow. It doesn’t produce a lot of bird bath water, does it? To obtain a tiny amount of hydration, birds would need to eat a lot of snow.
- Winter generally does not have a thick blanket of snow covering it. Even birds cannot rely on snow for water for the majority of the winter.
- A heated bird bath makes it simple and safe for birds that overwinter in your neighborhood to find water. You can observe birds all year long thanks to this, which also ensures their welfare during the colder months.
Types Of Heated Bird Baths
There are numerous styles and configurations of heated bird baths. Furthermore, these distinctions go beyond mere aesthetics. The variety of heating functions or the use of more robust materials can contribute to some of the differences in styling.
Heated Stands
The heating element may be integrated into a pedestal-style bird bath with a stand. For the entire time it is in use, just plug the bird bath into an outlet. These bird baths typically have thermostatic plugs, which means they only turn on when the outside temperature reaches a specific level.
These can usually be used as a four-season bath with no problems. You might need to run a long extension cord if you place your bird bath far from your outlet. Make sure the extension cord is not buried in mud or water, especially the plug.
De-icer Added To A Birdbath
If a bird bath already exists and can be used with a heating element, a de-icer can be added to it. A heater addition might not work with certain types of plastic, resin, and other materials. A thermostatic plug that can be safely dipped into the bath powers de-icers.
Solar Fountains
This kind of bird bath, a solar fountain, doesn’t require an electrical outlet. The water is kept from freezing by the fountain, which uses solar energy to operate.
The only significant disadvantage of a solar fountain is that it most likely won’t function in extremely cold temperatures. A solar fountain typically can only keep the water melted when the temperature is above 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius).
Solar birdbath fountains can therefore function in temperatures that are slightly below freezing, but not at the very low levels that some parts of North America experience during the winter. People who reside in areas with extreme winter temperatures for extended periods of time will not find this option to be ideal.
Best Solar Bird Bath Heaters
Best Overall: Farm Innovators Model Gbd-75 3-in-1 Heated Birdbath, 75-watt, Green
Pros
- Easy control – It is a great thing to have when it is cold outside because you don’t have to go outside and manually turn it on and off thanks to its thermostatic control.
- Economic – a cheap product that only costs a few cents per day to use when necessary.
- Simple installation – If you decide to put it in a more sunny location, it is simple to mount on and off.
Cons
- Slow heating up – When not used for a long time, the heating process is slower, but it quickly regains its shape.
This particular birdbath model comes with hardware that you can attach to poles, your fence, a rooftop, the ground, or a birdhouse, among other things. It has also been tested and shown to withstand temperatures as low as -10°F (or -23°C), and it is thermostatically controlled. Four or five small birds could use the heating panel at once due to its size.
Because of its excellent price, portability, and specifications, we heartily recommend this bird bath heater!
Best Design: Songbird Essentials Heated Bird Bath
Pros
- Quality – a contemporary, reliable, and superior birdbath.
- Economic – A product that generates a profit for every dollar invested in it and operates on just a few cents per day.
- Environmental – environmentally friendly and seamless fashion.
Cons
- Low mobility – Transferring it between places is difficult.
- Unstable – It may topple over in the event of a very strong wind.
This particular birdbath has a really attractive, eye-catching design. Additionally, it has a thermostatically controlled 60W heating element that is guaranteed to heat and maintain up to -20°F (or -28°C)! It’s a contemporary solution with low daily costs.
Although it is a little more expensive than the first heater, it is still worth every penny because it warms and maintains heat in much colder temperatures than the first one. We’d suggest this high-quality work of art if you can afford it.
Best Lightweight: Mounted Heated Bird Bath
Pros
- Edgy – It feels natural to stand on because of the edges’ stability for birds.
- Maintaining – It is simple to maintain constant cleanliness thanks to the high-tech tilt-to-clean technique.
- Simple installation – For the installation, only simple tools are required.
- High mobility – Quick and simple mounting and dismounting.
Cons
- Material – Made of plastic, it might lose its color after a few years in the sun.
- No instructions – There aren’t any user instructions included.
The plastic construction of the Mounted Heated Bird Bath makes it very lightweight. Without any issues, the heater uses 150 watts, and when not in use, it stores the energy inside for sunny days. It is very contemporary and utilizes current technology.
It’s one of the most appreciative Bird bath heaters as it won’t take up a lot of your time to install and is very simple. Installing it won’t require any difficult tools.
Best Controller: Birds Choice Ivy Pedestal Heated Bird Bath
Pros
- Simple – Simple to assemble and keep up.
- Stable – extremely reliable and durable.
- Mobility – Very mobile.
Cons
- Heavy – It weighs slightly more than a typical bird bath.
The Birds Choice Ivy Pedestal Heated Bird Bath measures 20L x 20W x 24H inches. Additionally, it has a thermostatically controlled heater and is built with 50% recycled ABS plastic. It is stable and easy to install and maintain.
Best For Cord: BestNest Heated Bird Bath With Metal Stand And 25′ Lock N Dry Cord
Pros
- 20″ diameter means you won’t be re-filling the bath quite as often
- Attractive design
- Available with an optional product protection plan
Cons
- Not as budget-friendly (costs more than $100)
- The lightweight design may need additional support, such as sandbags
The BestNest heated birdbath has a 25-foot cord that can be plugged directly into the outlet or into an extension cord, and it is a little bit bigger and more attractive than the API heated birdbath.
Best Long-lasting: Aisitin 2.5w Solar Bird Bath Fountain Pump
Pros
- An inexpensive product with thousands of 5-star reviews
- Long lifespan (10,000+ hours)
- Can be used in a bird bath or fish pond, pool, fish tank, etc
- 6 different nozzles help you create different looks
- Includes a base, so it doesn’t just float around in the birdbath
Cons
- The solar panel needs to be cleaned so that they can absorb solar energy
- Doesn’t work in extremely frigid temperatures
This simple little solar fountain is easy to install in your bird bath and can be powered without an outlet. The moving water in the bird bath, which is powered by 2.5 w, prevents it from freezing below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best For Beginners: Vivohome Polyresin Antique Outdoor Green Garden Bird Bath And Solar Powered Round Pond Fountain Combo Set
Pros
- Clear assembly instructions
- Can be ordered in different colors (green, grey, golden, or bronze)
Cons
- Stakes may not be strong enough to withstand heavy wind, so you may want to invest in stronger ones
- Only 28″ tall
This is a fantastic option if you don’t already have a fountain that you can add to a birdbath. It includes a submersible fountain bubbler and a pedestal-style fountain.
Best Multiple Modes: Aisitin 3.5w Led Solar Fountain For Bird Bath
Pros
- Creates a beautiful nighttime display in the winter, especially on snowy days
- Multiple modes, so you can choose which one you want to use
- The filtration box extends the life of the fountain by blocking dirt, dust, and leaves
Cons
- Reviewers have shared that it doesn’t have a very long battery life
- Requires significant periods of direct sunlight to work at its highest capacity
The manufacturer of this product is the same as that of the previous fountain, but it has a slightly higher power output of 3.5w as opposed to 2.5w. You can use it with or without the colorful LED lights that are part of the 10-color LED light system that is included.
Where Should You Put Your Heated Bird Bath?
The placement guidelines for bird baths remain the same during the winter. In actuality, the winter months make them even more crucial! Here are some suggestions to help you decide where to put your bird bath during the cooler months.
- Crowding around a bird bath is undesirable to birds. Instead, only one or two people might come at once. Birds can perch and wait in safety for their turn if you locate your bath close to a tree or wooded area.
- Predator protection is crucial, particularly in the winter. Songbirds are a popular meal for animals like raccoons, foxes, eagles, and hawks. An easy target is a dead target! When the leaves fall off the trees, birds have less “cover” to keep them safe. And during the winter, wildlife might be more ravenous! If there is some protection from these predators, think about placing your bird bath there.
- By positioning the bird bath close to your exterior outlet, you can avoid having to run an extension cord across your yard.
- Avoid placing your bird bath next to a bird feeder because the mess that will result from the debris that gets into the bath will be enormous.
- Make sure the bird bath is conveniently located where you can watch the birds comfortably and you can easily access the bath to keep it cleaned and maintained throughout the season.
What To Look For In A Bird Bath Heater?
If you truly love birds and adore those adorable little creatures, you undoubtedly want them to feel secure and at ease around you and in your backyard so that they will eventually visit it more frequently or even settle there, am I right? Who wouldn’t prefer to wake up to the sound of birds singing instead of traffic?
Therefore, you should think about the cost and quality of bird baths when choosing where your friends can stay (some of them are simply overrated and overpriced), as with a little more searching you can find fantastic deals!
What you should consider is the cost and what you get for your money. For instance, if installing a heater and a bird bath together costs a little more than doing so separately, you should think about whether it is worthwhile to take the time to do so rather than spending a little more money to buy everything together.
In the alternative, if the price is significantly higher than it needs to be, you should search for something that will be simple to install separately and maintain.