Attracting wildlife to many American backyards is commonly done with birdfeeders. However, to expand the popularity of a backyard to include more birds and other wildlife, one must create a wildlife-friendly yard. This can easily be done by adding water.

Adding a bird bath or small wildlife pond will provide water for many different animals as well as add an aesthetically pleasing element to your backyard.

A birdbath does not need to be expensive or elaborate. In fact, they do not require much maintenance and can be made from materials found around the home.

For example an inexpensive birdbath can be made by using an inverted garbage can lid or a large plant saucer.

These may be filled with water and placed on the ground or have a nice chain attached to them and hung from a tree.

However, if you are looking for one that is specifically made to be a birdbath, then look no further than your local hardware store or nature shop.

They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, heights and materials. A simple hanging bath or pedestal made of plastic or concrete may cost $20-40.

A cast iron or aluminum bath will be nice-looking but more expensive.

Above ground birdbaths, which are either placed on a pedestal or hung from a tree, attract birds that typically feed at feeders, including the black-capped chickadee, house finch and tufted titmouse.

On the other hand, a birdbath that is located on the ground mimics a natural water body like a pond and may attract less common backyard bird species. It will also attract other wildlife species like frogs, turtles, salamanders, chipmunks and squirrels. Providing both types of birdbaths will attract the neatest variety of animals.

If you are looking to attract backyard birds keep in mind that birds do not like slippery surfaces. Baths made out of slippery surfaces, like smoothed plastic, are not as attractive as rough surfaced baths.

However, if you already own a bird bath that has a smooth surface do not throw it away.

Instead, add a few small rocks or bathtub stickers to the bath.

These will provide a comfortable environment for the birds and will not bother other wildlife.

Also, birds prefer to bathe in shallow water. A bath filled with only two to three inches at the deepest is optimal.

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the standing water make sure to empty and refill the bath at least once a week, twice a week is best.

If you have a wildlife pond, add an aerator to discourage mosquitoes.

Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 255-1183 for more information about birdbaths and wildlife. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County can also answer your questions on agriculture, natural resources, 4-H, nutrition issues and much more.

Find us on the Web at www.cce.cornell.edu/cayuga.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.