What kinds of birdbaths are available for your porch, patio, deck, balcony, or other small outdoor area?

Birdbaths range from simple to elaborate styles and are made from materials such as stone, glass, plastic, concrete, or metal. Some birdbaths include fountains, drippers, bubblers, or wave generators; others incorporate solar or electric heaters.

Based on appearance, the four basic types are pedestal, hanging, mounted, and ground-level birdbaths. Other creative types exist, like this Vintage Chair Bird Bath.

1. Pedestal

Classic pedestal birdbaths can be the most decorative for your small outdoor area.

Taller pedestal birdbaths in windy areas may topple easily, so if you have no way to stabilize the pedestal's column, try a heavier concrete pedestal and dish or a shorter birdbath.

Some concrete birdbaths cannot handle low winter temperatures without cracking. You might try a birdbath heater, move the birdbath indoors in cold weather, or use a metal birdbath.

2. Hanging Birdbaths

Hanging birdbaths are often easier to use in confined spaces such as patios, decks, or balconies. They are often lighter weight than pedestal birdbaths. They, however, will swing in high winds, tipping water out of the birdbath.

3. Mounted Birdbaths

Birdbaths can also be simple dishes mounted to a deck railing, wall, or tree. Some come with heaters.

4. Ground-Level Birdbaths

Birdbaths at ground-level will attract a slightly different set of wild birds, even other four-footed or amphibious wildlife.

Some birdbaths come as preformed plastic that can be embedded into the ground or even into a deck. Even a simple saucer sitting on a balcony ledge can attract wild birds.

Get Creative

You can be creative with your birdbaths, too. Most shallow objects that can hold water and are not coated or painted with toxic elements will work -- for instance, a child's plastic snow slider.

You can get more ideas from the "Bird Baths" post at Backyard Bird Watching.

Related Articles

• 7 Hallmarks of a Quality Birdbath
• 7 Places Not to Install a Wild Bird Feeder or Birdbath
• Birdbaths Help Wildlife in the Heat of Summer
• Provide Water to Attract Birds to Your Wildlife Porch
• How to Keep Water in Birdbaths from Freezing