5 Best Bird Bath Heaters For Winter 2023

bird bath heater

Winter is a tough time for birds. Many species prefer to head south before winter sets in, but there are those who choose to tough it out. 

For them, staying warm and finding food is not the only challenge. When it’s really cold, water sources freeze over too, making drinking and bathing quite a challenge. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best ways to keep your bird baths heated so that your birds always have a fresh source of water. 

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API Bucket or Bird Bath Deicer Pail and Bird Bath De-Icer, 200 Watt (Item No. 250D)
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120 volts
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80 watts
75 watts
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GESAIL Bird Bath Heater for Outdoors in Winter, Birdbaths Deicer with Thermostatically Controlled,...
GESAIL Bird Bath Heater for Outdoors in Winter, Birdbaths Deicer with Thermostatically Controlled,...
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GESAIL Heated Bird Bath, 3 Easy Ways to Mount Heavy Duty Metal Pedestal Detachable Bird Bath Bowl...
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5 Best Bird Bath Heaters For Winter 2022

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How To Keep Your Bird Bath From Freezing Over This Winter

The easiest way of providing your backyard birds with bathing and drinking water through the cold winter months is to use an electric bird bath water heater. Although they are often called heaters, these handy tools are not designed to make the water hot, but rather to prevent it from freezing. 

These units usually run on your normal power supply. Solar powered bird bath heaters aren’t really a viable option because a small solar panel isn’t ideal for creating heat. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best bird bath heater options: 

1. Gesail 50w Bird Bath Heater: Our Overall Top Pick

solar bird bath heater

This electric bird bath water heater is a great option for keeping your bird bath from freezing over in the winter months. This device must be plugged into your electricity supply and has its own auto on/off switch which will save on your energy bill. 

You will need an extension cord though because the supplied cable is only about 2 feet long. Other than that, this is a great product that will keep your backyard birds happy through the winter. 

Pros:

  • Corrosion-resistant design
  • Easy to use
  • Comes in 3 different colors

Cons:

  • Comes with a very short cable
Sale
GESAIL Bird Bath Heater for Outdoors in Winter, Birdbaths Deicer with Thermostatically Controlled,...
  • FUNCTION: 50W, 120V bird bath de-icer with thermostat. This birdbath heater will keep the standard birdbath from freezing in winter,...
  • DESIGN: Designed for standard size birdbaths, this outdoor bird bath de-icer can be used in different kinds of birdbaths, such as metal,...
  • MATERIAL: The bird heater is made of heavy duty cast aluminum, easy to clean and will not calcify, rust or leave stains in the bird bath...
  • EASY TO USE: Just place the birdbath heater in the center of your birdbath, make sure the heater is full covered by water and plug in, it...
  • ENJOY YOUR BACKYARD FRIENDS: This "Perfect Bird Bath Deicer" can provide fresh flowing water in winter for your bird friends. It is very...

2. K&H Pet Bird Bath Heater/ De-icer 80w: Best Seller on Amazon

solar heater bird bath

This 80-watt bird bath heater/ de-icer is great for cold northern gardens. It keeps water from freezing in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This model has a cream color, but you can spray paint it to match your bird bath if you like. It has a natural, rock-like finish 

You will need an extension cable, however, because the supplied cable is only about 18 inches long. It is thermostatically controlled which means it will fire up on its own when the water gets cold, so you can forget about it and just enjoy watching the birds. 

Pros:

  • Has a natural rock texture
  • Works in very cold climates

Cons:

  • The supplied cable is very short
Sale
K&H Pet Products Super Ice Eliminator Birdbath Deicer Natural 80 Watts Safety Certified Birdbath...
  • WILD BIRD WATER SOURCE: Outdoor bird bath heater and deicer safely maintains open water for wild birds, even in sub-zero temperatures of...
  • THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED: Submersible birdbath de-icer is thermostatically controlled to automatically turn on and off as needed to keep...
  • ENAMEL FINISH: Easy to clean durable enamel finish with rock-like design can be spray painted any color to match your birdbath
  • SAFETY: This 80-watt bird bath deicer heater has been tested & certified by MET Labs and exceeds USA/CA electrical safety standards; K&H...
  • BRAND YOU TRUST: Designed by K&H with OVER 20 years of experience in creating safe, innovative, quality products for pets; three-year...

3. Gesail Detachable 75W Heated Bird Bath: 2-in-1 Bird Bath & Heater

solar powered bird bath heater

Why buy a heater and a bird bath, if you can just buy a heated bird bath? This bird bath from Gesail comes ready to use in green, blue, or Terra Cotta. 

It can be set on the ground, clamped to a railing, or deck mounted. This heated bird bath is tested to work right down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The bath itself is powder-coated to stand up to the elements for years and is easy to remove and clean. It measures a little over a foot in diameter and a little over an inch deep which is ideal for most songbirds. 

The heater is controlled by a thermostat so it only runs when the water gets cold enough to freeze, and the cable is designed to tuck away neatly for the rest of the year when the heater isn’t necessary. 

Pros:

  • Includes the bird bath
  • There are 3 different color options
  • Ideal shape and depth for songbirds

Cons:

  • Needs to be refilled often
GESAIL Heated Bird Bath, 3 Easy Ways to Mount Heavy Duty Metal Pedestal Detachable Bird Bath Bowl...
  • This GESAIL heated bird baths built-in 120 volts 75 watts heating element that is safely enclosed and sealed.
  • The heated birdbath for outdoors for winter thermostatically controlled to operate only when necessary - saving electricity, prevents...
  • Unique, innovative design allows for 3 different mounting options - deck mount, clamp mount and legs for ground mount. Hardware is included....
  • Basin easily removes from the pedestal for convenience and cleaning. Come with 3 EVA gasket which can stick on the metal ring unnoticeable...
  • Use year round - cord tucks away for Spring & Summer use. Shallow design that birds will love.

4. API 200 Watt Bird Bath Heater/ De-Icer, 200 Watt: Best For Bigger Bird Baths

solar heater for bird bath

If you have a larger bird bath up to 15 gallons, this 200-watt bird bath heater might be exactly what you need to keep the water from freezing this winter. It comes with a 6-foot long cable that is designed to be safe for birds and wildlife. 

This model is controlled by a thermostat so you don’t need to worry about switching it on and off or about it making the water too warm. There is a built-in clamp that you can use to secure it safely to the rim of your birdbath.  

Pros:

  • Great for larger bird baths
  • Built with a 6-foot long cable
  • Stainless steel safety guard

Cons:

  • The supplied clamp might not fit all bird bath designs
Sale
API Bucket or Bird Bath Deicer Pail and Bird Bath De-Icer, 200 Watt (Item No. 250D)
  • CONSERVES POWER AND ENERGY - This deicer has a built-in thermostat that conserves energy when water does not need to be heated.
  • ADJUSTABLE CLAMP FOR MOUNTING - This deicer includes an adjustable clamp for mounting to buckets, pail or containers.
  • PROTECTED HEATING ELEMENT - This deicer's heating element is fully enclosed and protected so that animals cannot come into contact with it.
  • POWER CORD LENGTH - This deicer has a 6' anti-rub power cord.
  • SAFE DESIGN, CSA & UL LISTED

5. YUYUSO Heated Hanging Birdbath: Best design option

bird bath water heater

This great little hanging bird bath has a built-in heater that is controlled with a thermostat. That means it switches itself on and off when necessary to keep the water from freezing over. This also prevents it from making the water too hot and saves you money on your power bill. 

The bath itself is made from a durable, weatherproof material and comes in a dark color that also helps to keep the water from freezing. This is a great heated bird bath for hanging on balconies, patios, and decks

Pros:

  • Great for balconies and patios

Cons:

  • Pretty small

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Other Tips

Apart from only relying on electricity, there are a couple of other useful tricks to keep your bird bath from freezing this winter. 

Place your bird bath in the sun in winter

The best solar bird bath heater is the sun itself! By positioning your bird bath in a sunny spot, the sun can definitely help to keep the water from freezing over too fast.

Keep The Water Moving

Moving water does not freeze as easily as standing water so running a solar bird bath fountain during the day can help keep the water from turning to ice during the day. Of course, it won’t help much if the water freezes over during the night so you’ll probably need to empty out the bird bath at the end of each day and then refill it in the morning for this to be of much help. 

Use A Dark-colored Bird Bath

Have you ever noticed that dark objects heat up much faster in the sun than light-colored ones? well, you can use this trick to help prevent your bird bath from freezing over. Use a dark-colored bird bath or paint your bird bath black to use the sun to defrost your bird bath. This will only help if you keep your birdbath in a sunny spot of course.

Why Do You Need a Bird Heater in the Winter?

If you reside in a region with chilly winters, you might be considering how to prevent your birdbath from freezing over. You could be contemplating if a bird bath heater is necessary. This issue can be solved with a bird bath heater, keeping your feathered friends content and healthy throughout the winter.

Why do birds require a heated bird bath when they can fly south for the winter?

There are a few factors to think about when deciding whether to use a bird bath heater in the winter. It can first aid in preventing the water from freezing. This is significant because birds require water for bathing and drinking. They will be unable to use a frozen birdbath.

The second benefit is that a heated bird bath can draw birds to your yard in this cold season. A heated bird bath can be a terrific way to attract birds to your yard because they are drawn to places where they can find food and water.

What Is the Ideal Water Temperature Level for Bird Baths?

While setting up a bird bath, water temperature is a crucial factor. The birds won’t want to use the water if it is too chilly. Also, if the water is excessively hot, the birds can be harmed. So what temperature of the water is optimal for bird baths?

Depending on the type of bird you want to attract, different water temperatures may be best for bird baths. The water should be between 80 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit as a general guideline. This range of temperatures will guarantee the comfort of the birds and prevent the water from being either too cold or too hot for them. So make careful to set the water temperature to this range when installing a bird bath.

You can always speak with a local bird expert or bird care specialist if you need clarification on what temperature to set your bird bath at. They will be able to provide you with detailed guidance on the ideal temperature range for the species of birds you are attempting to attract.

However, do not add antifreeze to the birdbath since birds can get poisoned by it. Glycerin should also not be used since it can saturate and make birds vulnerable to hypothermia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep your bird bath water from freezing?

Keeping your bird bath water from freezing in the winter can be quite a challenge. The easiest and most convenient way to prevent this is with an electric birdbath de-icer.

How do you defrost a bird bath?

The best way to defrost the ice in your bird bath is to pour cool tap water on it. Don’t use any salt or chemicals, because of course, the birds will want to drink this water. You should never use hot water because the sudden increase in temperature can easily break or crack your bird bath. 

What do you do with a bird bath in winter?

You should keep your bird bath out in winter if possible because the birds will still want to bathe and drink from it. It is best to move your bird bath to a sunny spot in the winter. The sun will definitely help keep the water warmer, and every little bit helps.

Do birds eat snow to get water?

Birds can eat snow in the winter to stay hydrated if there is no standing water available. Heating snow uses up a lot of energy at a time when birds are already working hard to find enough food though, so they will certainly appreciate some water if they can get it.

Should you leave bird feeders out in winter?

Absolutely you should leave your bird feeders out in winter. Bird feeders specifically set out to feed migratory birds like hummingbirds and orioles won’t be of too much use, but your seed feeders will still attract plenty of hungry birds who really need the extra energy on cold winter days.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your bird bath from freezing over in the winter can be quite a challenge without a bird bath heater or de-icer. Whichever method you use, however, the birds will definitely appreciate access to freshwater for drinking and bathing. Keep your bird bath full of freshwater this winter season and enjoy all the birds that visit. Happy birding!

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Last update on 2023-09-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3 thoughts on “5 Best Bird Bath Heaters For Winter 2023”

  1. These are the best tips I have read. I only have a two gallion bath. I live in the woolds. What is the best food birds? Thank you for caring.

    Reply
    • I’m glad to hear that you found the tips helpful! As for the best food for birds, it depends on the type of birds you are hoping to attract. Different bird species have different diets and preferences, so offering a variety of food can help attract a wider range of birds. Here are some general tips:

      1. Offer seeds: A variety of birdseed mixes are available and can attract many different bird species. Black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite of many birds, including finches, chickadees, and nuthatches.

      2. Provide suet: Suet is a high-energy food that is especially attractive to woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. You can purchase suet cakes at most bird supply stores or make your own.

      3. Offer fruit: Many birds enjoy eating fruit, such as oranges or apples

      Reply

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