Wild birds use more energy to melt snow or ice than to warm water from freezing to body temperature -- twelve times as much energy, in fact. Help keep water from freezing solid by one or more of the following methods.

1. Heated Birdbaths

Heating a birdbath is arguably the best way to keep water from freezing - unless, of course, your power goes out!

You can heat water in a birdbath via electric or solar power. Solar, while convenient (no cords to plug in), may be more fragile. You can find birdbaths with heaters included, or buy the heater separately.

Some examples:

• Deck-Mounted Heated Birdbath
  
• K&H Bird Bath Ice Eliminator
  
  
• Heated Bath with Pedestal
  
• Rocky Mountain Spring Bath with Dripper & Heater
  

2. Black-Lined Birdbaths

Some birdbaths are passive-solar. They don't require a power cord, but do not heat water in extreme cold.

3. Moving Water

Birdbaths that circulate water with a fountain, a bubbler, or wave action will not freeze at temperatures at or just below freezing. You still have a power cord, unless you go with a solar-powered birdbath and fountain.

These birdbaths may look prettier but will not prevent water from freezing as well as a heated birdbath -- unless, of course, you find one with both a water circulator and a heater, like the Rocky Mountain Spring Bath with Dripper & Heater.

4. Sunny Location

Placing a birdbath in a sunnier versus shadier location does help marginally in keeping water from freezing or thawing ice in a birdbath.

5. Boiling Water

You can melt ice in a birdbath by adding boiling water, but the quick cold-hot cycle may crack the birdbath. Also, carrying boiling water in icy conditions may be a bit dangerous for yourself!