[Conservababe]

I think the most important thing to birds, besides feed, is water. And the sound of tinkling water attracts them from miles around to drink and bathe. Just a little fountain in the garden or on the deck will bring you delight in seeing their antics.

[sweetliberty]

"I think the most important thing to birds, besides feed, is water."

Yes it is. I never did get a defroster for my birdbath because of not having an outdoor source of electricity readily available, but I took to putting out a big pan of water in freezing weather. I got 2 of the pans so that when one would freeze, I could just switch them. Sometimes in the morning before I would have a chance to get out and change the pans, the birds would be pecking at the ice. They have gotten as good as Nermal at modifying my priorities at home. They still get upset if the birdbath is empty though, even when there is a fresh pan of water right below it.

By the way, see post #48. Seems you have a Missouri neighbor who's married to a Louisiana feller.

[MamaTexan]

And the sound of tinkling water attracts them from miles around to drink and bathe.

Yep, especially these guys:

Painted Buntings are the most colorful birds...too bad they fly back to Central America every year!