However, anyone with a birdbath will know all too well how difficult it is to keep them clean.
Grime and dirt can quickly accumulate in birdbaths, turning the beautiful stone into an unattractive, unwelcoming place for the birds in your garden.
Fortunately, there is a simple trick that can help rapidly slow down the buildup of dirt in your birdbath using one object you should have in your wallet.
Rocky Trifari, bird enthusiast and owner of The Rocky Safari, explained how putting a 1p coin in your birdbath can keep it clean: “Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on.
“When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths.”
However, it is recommended that you give your pennies a good clean before placing them into the birdbath. It is also important to use natural methods to avoid harming birds.
Monika Sangar, an avian nutrition specialist, said: “Birds drink and bathe in bird bath water, so prolonged or excessive exposure to dissolved copper could pose a health risk, especially to small species.
“For this reason, it’s best to only use a few coins at maximum in a larger bath, and to always clean the bath in addition to using this hack. Adding fresh water daily for your birds is a must, too.”