You even can make a birdbath using a garbage can lid. By placing a few stones inside, the birds have a place to perch while drinking. Bird baths should be no deeper than 3 inches in the center and sides should slope down to its deepest point. The bath surface should be rough, so birds can maintain sure footing. Pebbles, stone and concrete offer good traction, but plastic is often too slippery.
Bird baths can be on the ground, on a pedestal or hung from a branch.
However, bathing birds are very vulnerable to predators. If cats roam your property, the bird bath should be raised off the ground. Birds are attracted by dripping water, Brittingham says. Some bird baths are equipped with fountains, but drought conditions will preclude their use. The slow, steady drip from a filled container will attract birds.