Over the years, I’ve acquired many easy bird bath ideas and tips. I’ve always loved watching the birds come to my yard.
By providing water, I’m helping them stay hydrated. However, if you want to keep them healthy, you also have to do your part by cleaning the birdbath regularly.
I choose to provide a natural source of food instead of putting out bird seed. By choosing plants for my yard that produce seeds or berries, I’m doing my part to nourish them.
Below are easy bird bath ideas and tips to help provide for wildlife in your own yard.
This bird bath idea, from Garden Gate magazine, is both simple and appropriate in this type of setting. Terracotta pots have more than one use in the garden.
I love to find easy projects to DIY for my patio. Like bird baths upcycled from things around my home.
I bought a solar bird bath from Wayfair some years ago. But now there’s a crack inside it, so I’m using a plant saucer placed inside the bird bath. And believe me, I have birds drinking and bathing in it all day long!
This thrifted birdbath, created by Sadie Seasongoods, is a great idea for a hanging birdbath using a glass lid and a chain. It’s a simple and cheap way to create a birdbath.
As it’s above the ground and hanging from a branch, predators will have less chance of getting to the birds.
This stacked stone bird bath is a very easy way to provide outdoor wildlife with water. Just stack stones and put a pan or plant saucer on top.
Put a stone in the middle of the deepest part to prevent small animals from drowning.
This DIY bird bath is just a terracotta pot saucer on a tomato cage. It’s nice to be able to use things for more than one purpose. If you aren’t using a tomato cage for tomatoes, consider using it for a bird bath.
Here’s another terracotta birdbath, using stacked terracotta pots and saucers. The placement of pots and saucers creates tiers, allowing a wider range of birds to be accommodated at one time.
This DIY bird bath is just a column with a recycled container. The birds don’t care what it’s made out of as long as it holds water and is cleaned.
This terracotta saucer fits perfectly into a grapevine wreath. Then use jute to hang it.
Like humans, all wildlife needs water to drink. So, I use different types of containers to keep them hydrated.
Installing a birdbath in your yard is one of the best ways to attract birds for viewing and listening pleasure. Birdbaths provide birds with a place to drink, bathe, and cool off. With a little creativity, you can make a fun and unique birdbath without spending much money. Here are 29 DIY birdbath ideas to inspire you.
Why Have a Birdbath?
Birds need water not only for drinking but for bathing as well. Bathing helps keep their feathers in good condition so they can fly properly. A birdbath provides an easy water source for birds.
Having a birdbath in your yard will attract a variety of birds It’s fun to watch them splash around and interact Different species will be drawn to the bath at different times of day,
You’ll be surprised at how quickly birds find and use a new birdbath. It’s an easy way to increase bird activity in your yard.
Tips for Birdbaths
Here are some tips for getting the most enjoyment from your birdbath:
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Place it in an open area about 10 feet from bushes or trees so birds have a clear approach but can escape to shelter.
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Keep it clean and refill with fresh water daily,
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A pedestal birdbath is best so birds can perch on the edges
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Add a few pebbles or stones so birds can stand in shallow water.
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Position it so fallen leaves don’t accumulate.
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Consider a heater or de-icer for winter bathing.
Easy DIY Birdbath Projects
Now let’s look at some easy birdbath projects you can make yourself:
1. Potted Plant Birdbath
This cute birdbath uses a saucer placed on an overturned pot in a bucket of pebbles. The planted pot adds nice decor.
2. Bowl on Pedestal
Simply place a wide, shallow bowl on an old plant stand or other pedestal. Use silicone adhesive to secure it.
3. Stacked Pots
Drill holes in the bottom pot and stack two or three, with a saucer on top. Fun if differently colored.
4. Repurposed Sink
Give an old sink new life as a birdbath. Elevate on a stand for easy bird access.
5. Hanging Bowl
Hang any shallow bowl or lid from a tree limb using wire or chain.
6. Succulent Bowl
Plant succulents in a wide bowl. The shallow water entices birds to bathe and drink.
7. Concrete Leaf Basin
Cast a leaf shape in concrete for a natural looking bath.
8. Rock Stack Birdbath
Stack flat rocks and place a bowl on top. Use pebbles to steady it.
9. Wine Barrel
Cut a wine barrel in half and mount it on legs from the other half.
10. Repurposed Urn
An old urn or fountain makes a nice pedestal birdbath. Just add a basin.
More Inventive Birdbath Designs
Here are some more creative ways to make novel birdbaths for your yard:
11. Teapot Birdbath
Stack a mix of teapots and cups on a post or stand for a whimsical bath.
12. Vintage Crock
An old crockery jar or urn makes an unusual bird bath. Just add water.
13. Tiered Birdbath
Stack pots, bowls or glasses on a pedestal for a tiered cascading bath.
14. Mosaic Birdbath
Decorate a birdbath with mosaic tiles, beads or glass for Mediterranean flair.
15. Milk Can Birdbath
The calf already has its tongue out on this upcycled stock tank bath.
16. Terra Cotta Spheres
Glue terra cotta spheres together as a pedestal for a round bowl on top.
17. Fruit Crate Birdbath
Use an old fruit crate upright with a bin liner as the basin.
18. Raised Tray Birdbath
Elevate a tray on some concrete blocks. Add pebbles for stepping stones.
19. Hollow Log
A split log makes a natural looking rustic birdbath. Seal to prevent rotting.
20. Hanging Planter
Invert a planter and hang it with wire for an easy DIY solution.
21. Glass Bottle Birdbaths
Create clusters of bottle birdbaths at different levels for small birds.
22. Plumbing Pipe Stand
Assemble plumbing pipes and fittings into a stand for raising a basin.
23. Old Wheelbarrow
Fill an upside-down wheelbarrow with pebbles and add a basin on top.
24. Cement Bowl
Make your own pedestal birdbath by pouring cement into a form like a washtub.
25. Wooden Rain Barrel
Cut a rain barrel in half horizontally to make a nice wooden bath.
26. Dish Drainer
Flip over a plastic dish drainer rack for a fun birdbath shape.
27. Birdbath With Planter
Surround a central birdbath with planted pots attached to the basin rim.
28. Water Lily Basin
Use a round plastic pond liner as a basin in the garden or on the patio.
29. Old Restaurant Dishes
Secondhand stainless steel mixing bowls from a restaurant supply store work great.
Have Fun With Your Birdbath Design
As you can see, a DIY birdbath can be as simple or inventive as you want to get. The key is using containers that are large enough, durable, and shallow enough for birds to splash around.
Look around your home, yard, garage and basement for items to repurpose. Thrift stores and antiques shops are also great places to find unique birdbath containers at low cost.
The options are endless when you use your imagination. Soon you’ll have happy birds flocking to your new birdbath!
Tips To Attract Birds To Your Bird Bath:
Adding a fountain is one way to attract birds to your bird bath. The sounds and sights of moving water splashing will attract birds to your yard.
If the bird bath isn’t near an electrical outlet, add a solar-powered fountain pump and use the sun for energy.
DIY Bird Bath Using Odds & Ends:
You probably have many things around your home that could be turned into a bird bath. Anything that holds water and isn’t very deep will suffice. But remember to put a rock in the middle so they have a place to perch while drinking.
On your next trip, you could also look for containers at your local thrift store. If you paint the bird bath, ensure the paint is non-toxic.
The wildlife will appreciate your efforts. And you’ll enjoy watching them, knowing you’re doing your part for nature’s creatures.
How to make the perfect bird bath | RSPB Nature on Your Doorstep
FAQ
Do pennies keep a bird bath clean?
- Copper’s Role: Copper is a natural algaecide, meaning it inhibits algae growth.
- How it Works: Copper pennies release small amounts of copper ions into the water, which interfere with the algae’s ability to grow.
- Why Pre-1982 Pennies? Before 1982, US pennies were made of copper, but now they are made of a copper-plated zinc alloy.
- Other Copper Sources: You can also use other copper coins or even copper tubing.
- Not a Replacement for Cleaning: While pennies can help, they are not a substitute for regular cleaning and fresh water changes in the bird bath.
- Safety: Ensure the copper is not in a way that birds can ingest it, and that the water is safe for birds to drink.
- Cleaning: When cleaning your bird bath, wash the copper pennies as well.
- Alternative Cleaning Methods: You can also use bird bath cleaners that employ helpful bacteria and enzymes.
- Other tips: Consider using a solar fountain to keep the water fresher between cleans.
Why put marbles in bird bath?
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Secure Footing:Birds, especially smaller ones, can be hesitant to enter deep water. Marbles or rocks create a shallower area where they can safely stand and bathe, giving them more confidence to use the bird bath.
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Preventing Drowning:If a bird bath is too deep, a bird could potentially drown if it gets wet and has difficulty getting out. Marbles or rocks help create a shallower area and provide a way for birds to climb out if needed.
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Attracting Birds:The sparkle of marbles or rocks can also attract birds from a distance, making the bird bath more visually appealing.
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Making it easier for birds to drink:Birds can sometimes struggle to drink from the edge of a deep bird bath, so marbles can help them access the water more easily.
What is an alternative to a bird bath?
Garden planters can be transformed into charming bird baths with some creativity. Choose a large but shallow planter and place it on a sturdy base. Fill it with water, and you have a bird bath that’s both functional and decorative. You can paint the planter bright colors to add a pop of vibrancy to your garden.
How to make a bird bath?
1. Place your bird bath in the shade. 2. Choosing the Right Bird Bath Height 3. Choose the right color for bird bath. 4. Keep the water level shallow. 5. Have moving water. 6. Keep your water heated. 7. Keep your bird bath clean. 8. Make your garden a bird paradise.
What are some unique bird bath ideas?
Another unique bird bath idea from ‘ Birds and Blooms ‘. They used playground sand, Portland cement and a giant garden leaf to create this one of a kind project. Easy instructions. Looks so natural in the garden! We came across this one from ‘ Funky Junk Interiors ‘. It’s so cute and simple that we had to add it.
How do you make a bird bath with bricks?
Stacked bricks and a wide shallow bowl can make the perfect bird bath. Just stack the bricks to create a square base, then attach the bowl to the top. Robins Nesting Place did this with some extra bricks. The best part is that the bricks don’t have to be mortared together.