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Running water will naturally attract wild birds to your yard. Fountains and sprays give them the water they need to bathe and drink. You can have clean drinking water available all year long with a heated birdbath. Wild birds can struggle to find clean water during the cold winter months. 
 
by providing clean fresh water during the long winter you can help the birds thrive. An added benefit will be the pleasure you get by watching the birds play and bathe. Do not place your heated birdbaths near a bird feeder. Bathing birds can be distracted by the noise coming from a feeder. Placing your birdbath under some tree branches will make it safer for the birds. This will give them an escape route from any prowling cats. 
 
A battery or solar powered heated birdbath can be placed just about anywhere in the garden. If you select an electric powered heated birdbath it will need to by placed near a power outlet. Purchasing a heated fountain birdbath has many advantages. A concrete or marble heated birdbath will be more durable than one without a heater installed. A cold winter can lead to constant freezing and melting of water in the birdbath which can produce cracks which will eventually leak. Keeping the water warm helps to protect your birdbath from this process.
 
Heated birdbaths can be found in several styles and from various materials. The most popular materials used for heated birdbaths are marble, iron, concrete, copper, and plastic. Copper can give your garden a wonderful look, especially if you have other copper accessories. The bowl of a birdbath should be no more than three inches deep with a rough bottom to give the birds a secure footing.

There are lots of different ways to attract birds to your garden. Providing them with the food they enjoy and a safe place for them to eat is the easiest way. Bird feeders are the best way of providing food for them. Food is hard to find in the winter so they can be really helpful to the birds at this time.

Many different species can be attracted by providing their favorite foods. An example of a speciality bird feeder is a thistle bird feeder that holds the seeds that finches love. Prevent the seeds from getting moldy by keeping them dry in a tube feeder. Enjoy the sight of the birds feeding from your home by using a window feeder.

Specially designed bird feeders are available for hummingbirds, goldfinches and woodpeckers. Put them close to your bird house in a safe place. Whichever type of feeder you use be sure to check it regularly to ensure the food is dry and free from mold. Inspect the area around the bird feeder daily for spilled food which will attract unwanted visitors such as ants and wasps.

It is most beneficial to feed the birds in the winter but food can be in short supply at other times of the year too. Put out food throughout the year to help the birds if shortages occur. Provide food suitable for fledglings in case there are shortages during the breeding season.

Put out pans of water or install a bird bath to provide a safe place for them to drink, preen and clean their feathers. You should provide water in containers at different levels for different species. Place containers shallowly filled with water in a quiet place away from bird feeders as birds do not like noise when they are bathing. The sounds of running water will attract wild birds. You can attract birds by placing a water dripper on your bird bath.

A natural environment in a part of the garden will increase the birds sense of security. Wild flowers and trees can be allowed to grow wild in an area of the garden to make them an attractive and safe place.