Birds need liquid water year-round, not just in summer, and a frozen birdbath is useless to them right when open water sources are scarcest. Keeping the water from freezing does not require constant attention if you set it up the right way.
Use a Birdbath De-Icer
A submersible or floating birdbath de-icer is the most reliable fix. These small electric heating elements are thermostatically controlled, so they only run when temperatures drop low enough to freeze, and a typical unit uses very little power over a season.
Choose a Heated Birdbath
If you are buying new, a heated birdbath has the heating element built into the basin itself rather than added afterward. These tend to heat more evenly than a de-icer dropped into a standard bath and avoid the risk of an unheated basin cracking from ice expansion.
Move the Birdbath to a Sheltered Spot
Placing the bath against a south-facing wall or under an overhang gives it some protection from wind chill and can shave a few degrees off how cold the water gets, though this alone will not stop freezing in a hard freeze.
Refresh the Water Often
Warmer water fresh from the tap freezes more slowly than water that has already been sitting outside for days. In milder cold snaps, simply swapping in warm water once or twice a day can be enough to keep it usable.
Skip the Antifreeze and Glycerin Myths
Never add glycerin, salt, or antifreeze to lower the freezing point. These substances are unsafe for birds to drink or bathe in and can strip the natural oils from feathers that birds need for insulation. An electric de-icer is the only method that is both effective and safe.
