“Bathing is especially important in cold weather in order to keep feathers in top condition. Research has shown that a chickadee with well-maintained feathers can sustain a 70 degree layer of insulation between the outside air and its skin”. Wild Birds Unlimited
I have a bird bath that is over fifty years old. It once sat in the yard of my grandparents in McDonald, Pennsylvania. I remember peering into it, so small that my eyes were level with the rim, fascinated by the mirrored bottom. Leaving this heirloom outdoors in the cold is not an option. The constant freeze and thaw of winter weather would likely crack it. Still, birds need water in the winter as much as they do in summertime. I decided a solution would be to replace the bird bath with a Rubbermaid trashcan lid. The plastic should expand and contract during freezing weather without cracking. The lid is also very light and will be easy to empty out and change. When the water in the lid freezes, I can pour on a bit of hot water for thawing, without worrying about cracking.
The birds accepted the lid as a substitute for the fancier bird bath. Within a hour or two of setting up the bath a little sparrow took a quick dip. Oh Happy Day
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
Kathy, you are one kind-hearted soul- God bless you.
And where is the picture of the heirloom bird bath ?
Susie
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I did take a photograph but didn’t use it. The birdbath is off the stand and leaning against a protected wall of the house so that it won’t gather water and freeze. It is a heavy birdbath with a mirrored interior. It is very odd, and I’ve never seen one exactly like it.
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Made of ceramic, I guess ?
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I’m not sure what it is made of on the outer portion…
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I’ll have to take another photo of it and try to insert in comments…dark here now though…later on. 😀
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Yes, will be waiting. Dawn there, isn’t it ?
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Yes…it was…took a break and had breakfast. Will get that photo soon Susie. 😀
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Not sure if this will work Susie, if it does not you can paste the photo links in your browser and see them…at least I think so! 😀
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You can see the back is painted, and now covered with sap from the pine tree I first set it under. The front is a beautiful mirrored surface. I’m going to have a TERRIBLE time in the Spring trying to get that sap off. Oh my!
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I see it Kathy- thanks for posting. Nice colour too. No snow yet, I see.
I have never seen snow except once in Switzerland- so it is a novelty for me- when it snows, can you post some pictures please ?
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I will do that…although this year so far we are way above average temperatures. It felt like Springtime this week. We even hit the 70’s.
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I use an old Tupperware tub and the birds love it: they even queue up for a bath! We laugh every time we see it! 😁
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That’s a terrific idea too!!! ❤
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