The bottom surface of the bath should not be so smooth that the birds cannot get a secure footing. If necessary, add gravel to the bottom of the bath to make better footing. Flat rocks can be added to the water to provide a shallow area of footing. The water in the bath should be changed frequently, and the bath scrubbed every few days in warm weather. Locate your bath in the shade of a tree, near some kind of cover.
Adequate cover helps to make the bird feel more secure, especially when wet and less able to fly.
If the bath is located in an open area, a dead tree branch can be placed in the ground next to the bath. Avoid positioning directly under a perch or feeder, as droppings in the water are unwelcome. Water movement and the sound of dripping water definitely attract birds, so an artificial bath with a fresh water sprinkler will advertise its presence. These systems also decrease the presence of infectious bacteria, which are common in standard bird baths. When properly located and consistently maintained, bird baths can be a healthy and entertaining addition to your backyard bird sanctuary.