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Sales & Specials

We've decided to run a special on a handful of products. Act now on the following "Hot Buys" because the special ends on Monday, September 25th.

New at the Nest

Our customers are valuable to us. We continually search for new and better ways to serve you. In an effort to better meet your needs, BestNest aggressively adds products to the website. Some of the new and exciting products that we've added are shown below. Be sure to check out our New Items department regularly.

Bird Bath Basics

Those of us who enjoy watching birds are likely to try a bird bath at some point. Whether an avid birder or hobbyist, you can use a bath to enjoy the company of our feathered friends. Birds, like every other animal, need water to survive. Birds drink water every day, but also use it to clean their feathers and control mites and other parasites. Offering a bird bath with fresh, clean water is the ideal way to complete your birding sanctuary and support your birds. Maintaining a proper bird bath will not only improve your decor but is also likely to attract birds that you will not see by feeding alone. Selecting a bird bath is often a daunting task as there are many types and styles to choose from. Use the tips below as a guide to what to look for in a bird bath, how to attract birds to it, and how to maintain it.

When choosing your bird bath be sure to keep in mind why we are getting the bath. We all know what people like; we like things that are pleasing to the eye. But birds do not necessarily share our enthusiasm for the superficial. Birds care about survival. We need to be responsible bird watchers by selecting baths and locations that help birds survive. We will make the best bird bath choice when we understand what birds look for. Try to mimic a natural puddle by selecting baths with shallow slopes, placed low to the ground, and placed near cover. Birds will not be as likely to visit a bath that they cannot wade into. Because birds cannot fly well when they are wet, placing the bath near cover will make them more comfortable and, thus, more likely to visit the bath. Placing the bath near cover will also shade the bath, reducing evaporation and keep the water fresh longer. Be sure to place the bath where it is visible, though, so you still have a good view of the birds. To create the ideal, dynamic bird bath, consider creating a permanent bath with multi-levels and a circulating pump.

If you follow the guidelines above, birds will likely find your bath without any additional encouragement. But if your avian guests are bashful, there are some changes that might encourage them. Arrange branches, pebbles, or sand in the bath so that they emerge from the water. This adds traction and footing for your birds as well as providing them a place to perch and drink if they are not interested in bathing. A bath with motion on the surface is more likely to catch the eye of a bird and is much more appealing than a stagnant bath. So be sure to offer motion or clean water on a daily basis. A commercially available dripper or homemade dripper adds the perfect amount of motion to the water's surface. Simply punch a tiny hole in the bottom of a bucket or plastic container to make your own dripper. A permanent bath with a circulating pump offers great, attention grabbing motion and is ideal for serious birders.

Perhaps the most important part of attracting birds to your bird bath is maintaining it faithfully. Be sure that your bath is full of fresh, clean water at all times. Remember, if your bird bath is dirty, the water inside it cannot be clean. Algae growing in your bath are a clear indicator that the bath needs cleaning. Clean your baths with warm water and a mild detergent, but be sure to rinse the bath fully before using again. In colder regions or in the winter months, be sure to keep the baths from freezing. You may need to use a heater to keep the water accessible to the birds. Some people advocate the use of glycerin as bird bath antifreeze, but glycerin has costly aftereffects. Avoid glycerin and other "antifreeze" solutions. They may keep the water from freezing, but they are harmful to the birds. They are low level toxins and can strip the birds' feathers of essential oils.

By following some simple guidelines and keeping up on its maintenance, adding a bird bath to your birding sanctuary will be a rewarding experience for both you and your birds. BestNest carries a complete line of bird baths and bird bath accessories. Please visit our Bird Bath Page to view our exciting products. For more personal assistance, call our customer service line toll free at 877-562-1818 from 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday.

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