The only issues that Elda has alluded to are conditions where heaters artifically keep water liquid when it is so cold out that the water will instantly freeze to the birds feathers, causing potential problmes for the bird (think of having to deice airplane wings prior to take off). However, I don't beleive it ever gets cold enough in MD for this to be a real concern. Maybe sometimes in the mountians but I don't think birds would have problems unless it was regularly in the low teens or below. If your birds turn into ice cubes, it might be time to stop using your heater. Or else invite us all over for boat drinks! Kidding, of course.  
  
Enjoy,  
  
Frank M 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Subject: Are heated birdbaths ok? 
From: Elda Banks <elda.banks AT YAHOO.COM> 
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:11:46 -0800 
���� In the past I have enjoyed watching birds at my heated� birdbath.�  
However, in the book, The Bird Watching Answer Book,by Laura Erickson she  
suggests not using one if the temperature goes below 20 degrees F.  
 
She also suggests that if you do use one to cover it with a grille of wooden  
dowels so that the birds can only drink not bathe.  
 
 
���� Does anyone have any� ideas about this?� Thank you 
Elda 
 
 		 	   		   
 
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