The Best Ceramic Bird Baths For Your Yard Or Garden

A bird bath is so much more than a place for feathered friends to come and clean themselves. Bird baths are great drinking water sources for birds and can help to encourage more frequent visits when set up properly. In addition to creating an attraction for the local birds of your area, a bird bath is a perfect way to spruce up your yard with some artistic decor.

But, with so many different bird baths out there today, it can be challenging to narrow down your options. Thankfully, we're here to help. We've scoured the depths of the internet, finding the best of the best just for you. We've even categorized each type to let you know which are our favorites out there.

Once you've made it through our top picks, keep reading to find out all there is to know about how to find the best bird bath for your garden and where you can start your search.

Best Bird Baths

Bird baths today come in varying shapes, sizes, and materials. These are our top picks of ceramic bird baths broken down into ten different categories.

• Best Overall
• Best Budget
• Best Design
• Best Fountain
• Best Heated
• Best Solar-Powered
• Best for Hummingbirds
• Best Deck-Mounted
• Best Hanging
• Best Pedestal

Best Overall

For a quick and easy way to have a wonderful birdbath in your yard, you can begin crafting one of yourself. With a ceramic bowl to act as the bath, you can get creative when developing your pedestal base or alternatives. Here are a few fun and exciting DIY bird bath options you can try yourself.

One of our personal favorites is the Brick by Brick bird bath, in which you create stacked bricks to act as a pedestal. The best bird baths tend to come from the more simplistic designs, but you can easily browse through to find one that fits your garden decor.

Best Budget

If you're looking for a budget bird bath, you can easily craft one of your own. Check out how to turn a tree stump into a bird bath. This crafty bird bath is an excellent way to repurpose that pesky tree stump into your backyard into a beautiful art piece that attracts your feathered friends. With just a handful of household items, you can be on your way to crafting the perfect budget bird bath for your yard.

Alternatively, you can also craft a similar bird bath using twigs to act as your pedestal. Using a shallow dish and some strong twigs found in your backyard, you can create something inviting, artistic, and crafty. With the perfect blend of modern and rustic, these bird bath ideas are sure to blend in with any garden decor you already have. Otherwise, it's sure to become the sole focal point of your garden.

Best Design

A bird bath in your garden doesn't necessarily have to take the traditional shape you might think of. There are plenty of bird bath designs out there that are not hanging or pedestal styled. One of our favorites is this adorable, handcrafted Terra Cotta Toad House. Attract birds and toads to this little bath that lays safe on the ground. This unique design is unlike any other you've seen in a garden. Best of all, it's straightforward to clean!

For a more traditional approach to a bird bath, we love the Ceramic Bird Bath, Medium, and the Ceramic Bird Bath, Large in french blue. The french blue color brings a calming pop of color to your garden without being loud. Textured ridges along the parameter of the bird bath allow for the perfect resting places for the birds in your yard. Since these bird baths have each been handcrafted, you are guaranteed a 100% unique product every time.

Best Fountain

Fountain bird baths encourage birds to visit because of the sound and visuals provided by moving water. DIY fountain bird baths are an excellent choice for anyone searching for the best option for their garden. Get creative and add water bubbles from the center of a flower in your DIY design. You can add the fountain feature with a plug on a six-foot cord that makes setup a breeze. Fountain bird baths make for a beautiful accent piece to any front or back yard.

If you prefer a more minimalist design but would still like to attract birds to your yard, you can check our more simple jar design. Using a large ceramic jug, you can pick your favorite color, including brown, green, red, or blue, making it easy to match any outdoor decor. You can also have an eye out for a crackling finish that adds an antique look that perfectly compliments the sleek, modern design.

Best Heated

While the best-heated bird bath options aren't made from ceramic materials, they are still worth noting, especially for anyone living in areas with snow in the wintertime. You can find simple and classic designs with a 30" metal stand that is corrosion and rust-resistant. And you don't have to worry about any weather damage. Best of all, you can keep your feathered friends hydrated in the cooler months by keeping the water in this bird bath between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

Another option for anyone who prefers having a ceramic bird bath available in the warmer months is to offer something smaller and more mobile during the winter. Look for other inexpensive options for keeping water available all year round. Small stone designs help keep it discreet with a five-foot cord attached. Once it starts to warm up again in spring, you can easily swap it out for your focal bird bath art piece.

Best Solar-Powered

It's nice to be able to provide a water feature in your bird bath, but sometimes that's not always feasible. Thankfully, solar power bird baths can help eliminate burdens like dealing with a power source and extension cord. You can find solar-powered designs for minimal maintenance, involved zero wirings or need for an electrical source, and operates at no cost. The internal fountain battery charges itself in the sun, allowing you to utilize the function even in cloudy conditions.

You can easily turn any ceramic bird bath into a fountain bird bath with the help of an added solar-powered feature. Like, in the DIY Solar Fountain Hummingbird Bath, you can find a free-standing, floating, solar-powered fountain pump that you can add to any existing bird bath. With such a low price tag, it's tempting to get multiples all over your yard. This particular fountain pump comes with four different nozzles, so you can choose exactly what type of fountain pattern best suits you, your garden, and your feathered friends.

Best for Hummingbirds

When it comes to finding the best bird bath for hummingbirds, there are a few special features to keep in mind. A bird bath that will attract these magical birds will be brightly colored and shallow. For a more extravagant bathing experience, you can look into misters, drippers, and fountains for your bird bath as well.

If you prefer a more natural design for your garden, we recommend this Green Leaf Bird Bath. This simple design blends in well with the greens of your garden while providing a pop of color sure to attract hummingbirds looking for a resting place. The shallow pool of water collects in the leaf, and because of the simple design, this bird bath is extremely easy to keep clean.

Best Deck-Mounted

You won't easily find any ceramic deck-mounted bird baths, but our top pick for the next best thing is made to look like a terracotta bowl. You can find a pot dish that measures 12 inches in diameter, and that can attach to your deck with a sturdy steel clamp. These bowls are easy to attach and detach as needed for cleanings or to bring indoors during the colder months.

You can also consider a great ceramic alternative made from a hand-blown crackle glass. Find a dish in your favorite colors that measures 12 inches in diameter. You can secure the dish to your deck using a wrought iron bracket with a black powder-coated finish to help make it weather resistant. The bright pop of color from the glass will help attract your local birds' attention and let them know they are welcome in your front or backyard.

Best Hanging

Hanging bird baths come in all different shapes and sizes, but we love the minimalist design of this Ceramic Bird Bath, Small in butternut. This ceramic work of art is the perfect blend of classic and modern, light orange and beige tones to add a fresh pop of color to your garden space. The ceramic material has been handcrafted on a potter's wheel and is sure to withstand inclement outdoor weather.

We love other hanging bird bath options, including the Hanging Teal Bird Bath and the Hanging Spice Bird Bath. We're happy to see this bird bath offered in two different colors to match any garden decor with such a cute design. These easy to install bird baths will have your garden visited by flying friends immediately. The design includes a precious songbird enjoying the bath, letting others in the area know it's a perfect resting place.

Best Pedestal

If you love creative designs, check out this Tippy Pots Planter and Bath, which you can easily craft at home. This is one of our favorite pedestal bird baths we've seen simply for its unique design. Best of all, you can customize your bird bath exactly how you want. Paint your pots a color that will pop, mix and match ceramic pots, and even get creative with your ceramic dish on top for the bath.

Take, for example, this Teapot Bird Bath--another fun take on the best pedestal bird bath. Mix and match your favorite household ceramics, or hit your local thrift shop for importation. You can always paint your ceramics for one clean look or add hand-painted designs. The world is your oyster. The best bird baths are the ones you can add your final touches to.

Finding the Best Bird Bath

As you have now seen, there is plenty of different styles, shapes, and sizes of bird baths out there. But how do you know which is the best for your garden space? First, you'll need to do some homework.

Considerations

A few considerations, such as convenience, construction, and design, should play into your ideal piece. By taking the time to research the options out there, you can ensure you are making the best possible decision for your yard.

Appearance

It goes without saying that you want to find an aesthetically pleasing bird bath. A well-crafted bird bath is an art piece in your garden, so you should take your time to find one that you find truly beautiful. Plus, you'll be more inclined to keep a bird bath clean if it's one you value highly in appearance.

Comfort

High-quality bird baths have been specifically designed for the comfort of the birds who will be utilizing them. Narrow lips tend to make for betting resting places for smaller birds. Some bird baths have varying accommodations to help provide a welcoming environment for birds of all sizes.

Cost

The best bird baths are the ones that fit your budget. You can easily find a bird bath within any budget if you're willing to do some searching. Because of the varying styles, materials, sizes, etc., of bird baths today, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to find a truly magnificent piece for your garden.

Cleanliness

It would be best if you kept your bird bath clean. Sometimes, elaborate designs may be aesthetically pleasing but incredibly challenging to keep clean. Certain materials are more prone to mildew, while others are more resistant. For the basin, if you're opting for a ceramic bird bath, opt for a glazed one.

Climate

Ideally, you want to provide birds in your area with a water source all year round. Thankfully, for those who live in climates that get snow in the winter, there are options. Heated bird baths are an excellent option. If you find that you don't see a heated bird bath design that matches your decor, you can look for heating alternatives. Or, opt for a smaller, mobile heated bird bath that you can bring out each winter.

Design

The different design types of bird baths help you to determine where to place them and vice versa. Keep in mind what kind of space you will have available in your garden and search for the design that will fit best.

Height

Depending on what types of birds you hope to attract, you'll need to consider the height of your bird bath. Larger birds, like quail and ducks, prefer ground-level drinking basins, while smaller birds like higher perching areas to feel more protected.

Landscape

The aesthetics of your bird bath should match your general garden decor, but the sizing should also be appropriate as well. Your landscape proportions could help you indicate which size bird baths you should be shopping for.

Size

Although smaller bird baths might be ideal for you because they take up the least amount of space in your yard, consider that you'll be limiting the number of visitors at one time. Alternatively, larger bird baths can create territorial conflicts and be more challenging to clean. You'll have to consider the pros and cons of sizing and find your perfect fit.

Water Movement

Moving water naturally attracts wildlife more than stagnant water. As previously mentioned, there are plenty of fountain options out there. Or, if you can't find a design you like, consider one of the solar-powered fountain pumps as an addition to another bird bath that matches your decor better.

Types of Bird Baths

The best bird baths range in various styles, which is great for anyone to add to their yard. You can easily find a design that matches your specifications. Here are a few of the most common types of bird baths.

Pedestal Bird Bath

When most people think of bird baths, the image that pops into their mind is a pedestal bird bath. These baths have elevated basins resting on a pedestal, which stands on the ground. This design usually comes in one or two pieces, making it incredibly easy to install. Pedestal bird baths tend to be the most popular style, and as such, can be found in the widest variety of styles.

Ground Bath

The most simple design of a bird bath is the ground bath. These bird baths consist of a basin that rests on any flat surface, such as the ground or a table in your yard. You can create a ground bath of your own by using a plant saucer or a pie plate or look for handcrafted options online or in stores.

Deck-Mounted Bird Bath

Deck-mounted bird baths are excellent options for anyone with limited space. These bird baths attach to the railing of your deck using a weather-resistant clamp. These designs tend to be more simplistic, making them easy to install and move as needed.

Hanging Bird Bath

A hanging bird bath is a simple, shallow basin suspended from some chain or cord. These bird baths are usually hung from garden hooks, tree branches, or gutters. Because of the simple design, hanging bird baths tend to be less expensive than other styles.

Heated Bird Bath

If you live somewhere that gets snow, you'll want to look into heated bird bath options. While there is a limited selection of self-heating bird baths, most require a power source nearby, which is not always realistic. Thankfully, you can find alternative heat sources that you can add to your existing bird bath to provide a water source all year round for your feathered friends.

Fountain Bird Bath

Fountain bird baths combine water fountains with bird baths, providing birds with moving sources of water. In nature, animals tend to be attracted to moving water more so than stagnant water. You can find a wide variety of fountain types, including gravity-powered dripping, spray, or bubblers. What's great about fountain bird baths is that they add a special ambiance to your yard while also attracting wildlife.

Where to Buy Bird Baths

With so many different designs accomodating all of the feathery friends in our backyards, there are nearly countless resources for finding the perfect bird bath to fit your space. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Local Second Hand Shops

You can always check out your local second-hand shops for the thrifty shoppers to see what type of bird bath treasures are in store. One of the best parts of shopping second-hand is coming across some truly unique pieces, although you aren't always guaranteed to find what you are looking for here.

Facebook Marketplace

Another great option to try is Facebook Marketplace. Best of all, you don't even have to leave the comforts of your own home to browse through online options. You can search locally or expand your search further if you aren't having any luck. Just be sure to remember that you'll have to figure out the delivery or shipment options on your own.

Happy Gardens Store

If you're looking for that uniquely handcrafted bird bath and you don't want to worry about quality, the Happy Gardens Store is a great place for your online browsing. Find little treasures made by local artists that are sure to add that magical touch to your backyard.

About Happy Gardens

Happy Gardens offers online shoppers a collection of thoughtful, unique garden merchandise and decor for any outdoor space. So, if you've been searching all over for that beautifully crafted birdbath, charming rain chain, or ideal wall art piece, Happy Gardens has exactly what you're looking for. You're sure to fall in love since each of our products has been handcrafted with love specifically for your happiness.

From our unique collections, you can find a nearly endless variety of beloved and top-rated products. Some garden favorites include artistic rain gauges, eye-catching spinners, unique garden ornaments, and so much more. We also have a brand new line of merchandise that provides gardeners with fun and exciting gifts readily available year-round. Here you can find the best tote bags, wine glasses, and coffee mugs for your garden-crazed friends and family.

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If you need help selecting the perfect birdbath or designing the ideal layout for your outdoor decor, never hesitate to reach out to us via chat. We're happy to lend a hand!