For a birdbath to be effective, it must meet a few requirements. The most important of these is placement. Birds like to feel safe when bathing, so selecting the proper location is important. The bath should be located near some form of escape cover such as a tree. It should not be placed too close to thick cover where a predator may hide and ambush the birds.
Domestic cats are serious predators of birds in residential areas.
Place the bath away from areas where cats may hide and attack the birds. It is also important not to place the bath too far out in the open, where the birds have no escape cover. When selecting a location, pick one that you will be able to easily view. There are a few other requirements for birdbaths that need to be mentioned. The water should not be any deeper than one and a half to two inches deep.