Forget Traditional Birdbaths: This Charming Alternative Has A Genius Space-Saving Design

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Birds appreciate a clean water source for drinking, cleaning, and cooling down, whether it's from a traditional birdbath or not. Even though they are commonly found in backyards, pedestal bird baths have their downsides. They take up floor space, can be a tipping risk around curious kids and pets, and can be a hassle to clean. The Specstar Deck Mounted Bird Bath is an alternative that's particularly suited for small spaces.

This is a deck-mounted bird bath rather than a freestanding model. It has a metal basin holder with a clamp that attaches it to a railing that's up to 3.9 inches thick. The basin is made of plastic, but is available in vintage-inspired finishes, like bronze, copper, and an antique green. Since it attaches to a railing, it doesn't take up any floor space. This is helpful for those with very small outdoor areas or apartment dwellers who only have a deck or balcony. It's also a way to attract birds without a feeder, which can leave a mess around a deck seating area.

The bowl is lightweight and removable, which makes it simple to take inside and clean, unlike many pedestal birdbaths, which often need to be cleaned in-place with a bucket or hose. Even if you have lots of space (and other freestanding birdbaths), this deck-mounted model can bring the action closer to your home. Place it along the railing within view from a window, and you can watch birds from indoors.

This deck-mounted birdbath comes with a solar fountain, so you don't have to buy this popular accessory separately. Birds like flowing water, and this is an easy way to add some movement to a stagnant bowl. The fountain sits on the surface of the water and uses solar power to run, so it's a low-maintenance addition. In places with colder temperatures, a solar fountain can also help to keep a birdbath from freezing in the winter.

There's a small caveat to this space-saving birdbath. It's on the deep side, at 3.5 inches deep, which is not the ideal depth for many birds. The extra volume of water is a benefit for the solar fountain, which always needs water to prevent it from running dry. However, you'll want to create perching spots to make birds more comfortable. Place some rocks in the birdbath to create the ideal depth, which ranges from 1 inch to 2 inches, depending on the bird you want to attract.