MOANA NURSERY NEWS RELEASE – As winter temperatures fall, many people are helping wild birds stay warm by continuing to allow them to take dips in bird baths.
“In addition to drinking, birds need a place to bathe when temperatures drop,” explained Jacque Lowery, Manager of Wild Birds Unlimited located in three Moana Nursery locations. “Clean feathers help birds stay warm, and a bird bath with open water is often the only way for some birds to drink and stay clean when it’s cold.”
Many bird enthusiasts are using bird bath heaters in their plastic or stone bird baths to provide water. Some are using bird baths with built-in heaters.
“Most bird bath heaters shut off automatically when the temperature reaches approximately 40-50° F, or when it is out of the water,” stated Lowery. “It is important to understand that as long as there is an opening in the water, the heater is doing its job. The birds only need an opening in the water to be able to drink; so the entire bath does not have to be thawed.”
Lowery says that while it is important to provide birds with water in cold weather, it is also important for owners to take proper care of their bird baths. Because future problems can occur; bird baths made from porous materials should not be used during freezing temperatures, even with a bird bath heater.
“Most importantly, people should never add chemicals to the water in a bird bath,” explains Lowery. “That can be very dangerous to wild birds. If someone wants to attract birds during these cold times, there are better, safer ways that are available.”
For more advice on caring for backyard birds in cold weather, contact the bird-feeding specialists at Moana Nursery.
Wild Birds Unlimited, located inside all three Moana Nursery locations in Reno and Sparks, is part of the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit www.reno.wbu.com for more information.
