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An Audubon's Warbler (left) and a Chipping Sparrow take advantage of having some fresh water.
Birds need water all year long, so if you can provide some that is clean and fresh, the rewards can be remarkable. I have found that birds, small and large, will drop by for a sip or a bath. By watching them you can almost see their personalities as they crowd together or splash around alone.
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Bushtits seem to like to share everything with each other.

These tiny Bushtits enjoy bathing together in small six-inch dish. Bushtits are not only extremely cute, but they are friendly and non-aggressive, getting along together very amiably. They generally arrived in a flock, spend a while feeding and bathing and then off they go, only to return later in the day.

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An Evening Grosbeak (left) and a Downy Woodpecker inspect the water.
I have placed a variety of bowls and dishes around the deck. They are different sizes and have different depths, too. It's interesting to observe that some birds have their favourite dishes and will totally ignore another one, even if it's just a few feet away. Who knew birds could be so picky?!
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It's easy to provide a little waterfall.

One of my favourite sources of water is a small pond I built using a formed plastic liner and a small pump. The water flows down from a pile or rocks. The sound of the trickling water helps attract visitors.

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A Spotted Towhee enjoys its bath.

The sources of water don't have to be very fancy! This water dish is actually an old frying pan that I managed to secure to the deck railing and it's amazing how popular it has become.

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A juvenile American Robin

American Robins often seem obsessed with bathing! When they are around the water gets splashed about very quickly and I have to keep running and refilling the bowls.

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A Northern Flicker swallowing some water.

Although most birds are able to lap water into their bill, to swallow it though, they have to tilt their heads back, just as this lady Northern Flicker is demonstrating for us.

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A magnificent Northern Flicker has a really good splish, splash.

I was surprised to see one day, a Northern Flicker using one of the pot containers of water for more than just a drink. This male, with its dashing red moustache, seemed to really enjoy himself. Needless to say, when the water is flying about like this the containers get empty pretty fast. Keeping them clean and full is super important.

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Getting up close and personal with a Hairy Woodpecker.
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Left: Red Crossbill; right: Song Sparrow
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Kinglets are among some of the smaller birds can't resist a bath.
I enjoy the fact that the water dishes are used by all kinds of birds, both large and small. Zooming in with my camera or binoculars allows me to further appreciate the beautiful colours and markings of my visitors.
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A female Red Crossbill waits while her friend has a drink.

Adding small branches and twigs to the feeding station gives the birds a place to perch while that wait for a turn at the water dish. These natural props help me manage to get a good photograph of a bird as I don't always want a feeder or bowl in my image.

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Female Pileated Woodpecker

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Female Pileated Woodpecker swallows her water.

Pileated Woodpeckers are truly striking creatures and it's always a thrill when one stops by. Seeing the flaming-red crest and the immense size (17 in/43 cm long with a wingspan of 29 in/74 cm) is a terrific experience, especially close-up and just outside the window!

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Left: Varied Thrush; Right: House Finches
Providing fresh, clean water is also important for birds in the winter as they still need to drink. This can be a bit tricky in very cold areas where the water quickly freezes. On days like this I pour some hot water into the bowls and am hopeful the water will be discovered as it quickly cools and before it freezes.

Left to Right: Rufous Hummingbird, Pine Siskins, Fox Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler

In case you are wondering, providing food and fresh water for my feathered friends is almost a full-time job and keeps me very busy! But it is all a responsibility that I enjoy so very much. My bird feeding station is active and fun and it gives me continual pleasure.