What do you call an artificial puddle on a pedestal? You call it a birdbath. A shallow, water-filled basin for birds to drink and bathe in is particularly attracting to birds during a drought. It needs to be fairly shallow since most song birds have short legs and should be kept clean and free from cats. Two inches of water at the center is plenty to wash and splash around in. Raising the birdbath up off of the ground is a common safety measure as is keeping it away from hiding places concealing predators. A birdbath will attract many more birds if there is a place above that a bird can fly to easily when frightened.
