Creating a beautiful little birdbath haven for your feathered friends is just a simple DIY project away!
If you like this post, you might also want to build a DIY bird feeder.
Building a DIY birdbath for your yard can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience. There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from crafting something with your own hands and witnessing the transformation from raw materials to a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition to your outdoor space.
The process of planning, designing, and assembling the birdbath allows for creative expression, enabling you to personalize the bath to match your yard’s aesthetic or your own unique style. Whether you’re repurposing old materials or using new ones, the act of piecing everything together and seeing your vision come to life is a source of genuine joy.
Beyond the personal fulfillment it brings, a DIY birdbath also offers substantial benefits to the local bird population. Providing a water source in your yard helps birds stay hydrated, especially during hot and dry periods. This is crucial for their survival, as water can be scarce in certain environments.
The birdbath becomes a hub of activity, attracting a diverse array of avian visitors, which can turn your yard into a vibrant and captivating bird-watching spot. As you observe various species splashing, preening, and drinking in the bath, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its intricate interplay.
Building a DIY birdbath fosters a meaningful connection between your creativity, the environment, and the enchanting avian inhabitants that grace your yard. It will delight
your kids (and your cats).
Here are 19 great DIY bird bath ideas that can be achieved in a weekend or less.
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19 Fun and Easy DIY Birdbath Ideas
1. Stacked Garden Urns
Use two garden urns to make one DIY birdbath, complete with a mini-garden. Or stack several to get to your desired height.
We love the color, you can paint it in any color you want to add a fun color pop to your backyard. Or if you want a more classic finish try this DIY faux zinc finish tutorial.
2. Upcycled Lamp Base DIY Bird Bath
Turn a vintage lamp into an unique DIY bird bath. We love a good upcycled project like these lamp bird bath DIY’s. These DIY bird baths made from old lamps are so creative and would add some vintage flair to your backyard. Check out your local thrift stores for cool lamps… or maybe you’ve got a lamp or two stashed in the garage waiting for a makeover. Here’s your chance!
Learn how to make your own DIY lamp birdbath with the help of this tutorial. Get as creative as you want with your lamp and bowl combinations!
Here’s another tutorial on how to turn a lamp into a DIY birdbath with the addition of a terra cotta saucer, and some paint and glue. The result is a really pretty birdbath that you’d never know was made from an old lamp!
This version of these birdbaths could even be done with an old candlestick. So be on he lookout what thrifting, for items that have a pretty shape and could make a good stand for your bird bath.
3. Table Leg Bird Bath
Similar to the idea up upcycling a lamp, you could use a pretty carved table leg, or spindles or newel post to build the most beautiful base for your bird cage. This is a great opportunity for an old piece of furniture that might not otherwise have a use anymore.
For this build, to create this unique bird bath, start by attaching an old chippy table leg to a plate turned upside down as the base. For the actual bird bath basin use an old enamel bowl. Fill it with river rocks and water and Voila! A Chic Birdbath!
4. Threaded Terra Cotta Pots
Thread plant pots through a rebar to make a stacked planter with a bird bath on top. Another great way to use a terra cotta pot (since they are so affordable) This is another fun DIY bird bath that can be painted in any color you desire. Put it in a boring spot in your backyard and it’ll instantly cheer up the space. Plant pretty flowers or herbs in the pots for added beauty and function.
5. Serving Bowl Bird Bath
Place a pretty serving platter on the top of a pipe. Pipes can be used to create so many cool things, from shelving to coffee tables, so it should not be a surprise that a pipe and flange can be used to create a birdbath! Glue a flange on the bottom of a serving platter and attach that to a pipe that has been pounded into the ground. It is fun to see what can be done with old dishes. This can be done with metal pipe or could be put together using glue and PVC pipe.
6. Stacked Brick Tower Base
Stack bricks to make a tower and put a bowl on top. If you have a pile of bricks sitting around in your garage or shed, put them to use by stacking them to form a short tower. Don’t worry about adding mortar, though you could do that if you wanted to. Put a bowl or saucer on top, add a rock or two, and fill it up with water. This looks so substantial and ads architecture to your garden but truly is one of the easy diy bird baths you could make in an afternoon!
7. Trash Lid Trays
Stack stones and put a trashcan lid on top. This DIY birdbath idea is similar to the previous one, only done with flat stones instead of bricks. Put a lightweight galvanized trashcan lid on top and anchor it in place with a heavy stone on top.
Along the same lines I love this simple old pan turned birdbath. This definitely doesn’t need to be hard. You just need to make sure it is balanced on whatever surface you choose to put it on.
8. Mosaic homemade bird bath
Have your kids create a mosaic birdbath with a terracotta pot and saucer. This is a really fun and easy enough project for your kids (or you!) to make and would be a great gift to a loved one. Use colorful glass gems or mosaic tile to make your own cute and colorful birdbath.
9. Hanging Planter Saucer
Put a saucer in a grapevine wreath and hang it up on a tree. If you have trees on your property, hanging up a couple of these easy DIY birdbaths will definitely bring the birds to your yard.
Paint the inside of the saucers to add a little jazz and pop them into grapevine wreaths that fit your saucers or they have the wire wreath forms are the dollar store which would work and a hanging bird bath as well. Those would also make great gifts!
This little hanging bird bath could be purchased here at Wayfair. Or you could add a hook like this to a platter using some bolts and nuts… you just need to be sure you have a ceramic drill bit.
10. Make a concrete bird bath.
Use a shallow container as your mold and make a cool concrete birdbath that will look right at home among rock landscaping. Don’t forget to add a couple of rocks to the top of the concrete bowl before it dries to provide the birds a permanent spot to perch as they drink!
If you want your concrete birdbath to have a stand like in the picture above, check out this awesome tutorial.
11. Leaf Imprint Cement Bird bath
Make a concrete birdbath in a leaf shape. Here’s another DIY concrete birdbath, but this one is made by using a large leaf as the mold. It’s beautiful whether it’s by itself or when placed in a garden.
12. Sleek Modern Bird Bath
Place a candle plate on three dowels driven into the ground. This gorgeous sleek and modern DIY birdbath couldn’t be any easier to make. There’s even no glue involved, so you can easily grab the plate and wash it whenever you wish.
13. Stepladder Bird Bath
Use a ladder or stepladder to hold a large saucer filled with rocks and water. If you love the country, rustic look, you’ll appreciate this extremely easy DIY birdbath. Simply take a beaten-up stepladder and place it among the plants in your garden.
Put a large saucer on top, or a large shallow glass bowl, and fill it up with water and rocks. Don’t forget to add a couple of flower pots on the other steps to complete the look.
This same type of upcycle could also be accomplished with a plant stand.
14. Recycled Old Sink Bird Bath
Sometimes an old salvaged sink is available. This fun project is super easy as it actually attaches directly to a tree. Find the tutorial here on HGTV.
15. Tea Pot Bird Bath
It seems that nowadays many of us don’t use really formal dishes as often. So when a loved one dies, the dishes are given, sold or donated away. Why not instead upcycle them to a beautiful bird bath?
I love the charm of this pieced stand and bath so much, and the best part is this whole things was thrifted from mismatched pieces of glassware and teapot then spray painted to look cohesive.
All you need are old dished, gorilla glue and some spray paint.
It is awesome what spray-painting can do, but if you like the delicate patterns on the china, that can also be left as is to be seen and admired year round.
16. Tomato Cage Bird Bath
An inexpensive tomato cage can make a very quick and easy base for a bird bath. Follow this simple tutorial all you need is the tomato cage, some wire cutters and for a water basin is a plant saucer or any fun upcycled item you want to try, like an old glass lid, or even a terra cotta plate, or even a light weight plastic plant saucer.
17. Use Tree Stumps
A great way to upcycle a lost tree, is using the tree stump as a base for your bird bath. This can remain in the ground, or just be a cut log sitting up like a tree to make the perfect pedestal.
18. Corbel Bird Bath Shelf
This is technically not a DIY project, you can buy it on Wayfair here. BUT it gave me an idea that I couldn’t find an image for . What about creating a beautiful corbel. We have plans for a vintage carved corbel and an angled corbel here.
Build the corbel, add it to a column on your deck or pergola, with a small shelf, on top of the corbel shelf (if needed) then place a beautiful basic platter dish on that shelf for an easy DIY bird bath. To bring all the hummingbirds, and bird life right up into your space.
19. Solar Bath Fountain
This is a fun addition for a bird bath, a solar bird bath fountain. This is a great way to add the sound of running water to your patio, and make the bath a little more fun for birds. You can buy them on Amazon, for a lark (see what I did there?… bird joke). The great thing is because they are a solar fountain, there is no need to add batteries or bring a power source to the bird bath. It is a simple buy and place in bath procedure.
Aren’t these DIY birdbath projects just so much fun? For more easy DIY projects, check out 18 Clever Scrabble Tile DIY Projects and 7 Stunning Marbled DIY Projects.
Questions and Answers:
What is the proper depth of water for a bird bath?
The proper depth for a bird bath is typically around 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters). This shallow depth allows birds to comfortably wade and bathe in the water without the risk of them getting submerged or facing difficulties. Birds are generally cautious about entering water that is too deep, as it could pose a drowning hazard, especially for smaller species.
In addition to the depth, it’s a good idea to provide varying levels of water depth within the birdbath. This can be achieved by including sloped or graduated edges that allow birds to choose their preferred depth for bathing. Some birds might prefer a very shallow area to drink from, while others might enjoy a slightly deeper spot for a proper bath. By offering different options, you can cater to the preferences of various bird species that may visit your birdbath.
Remember that keeping the water clean and fresh is equally important as the depth. Regularly changing the water and cleaning the birdbath will ensure that it remains an inviting and healthy place for birds to enjoy.
What Colors do Birds Avoid:
Birds have different types of vision than humans, including the ability to see ultraviolet light. This means they can see some colors beyond the ones we can. Generally, birds may be cautious around certain colors.
- Red may signal danger, as it is associated with predators like hawks.
- Yellow may also be a warning sign, as it can resemble dangerous animals.
- White could remind birds of areas where predators might be present, like snowy landscapes.
- High-contrasted colors, too, could be seen as unfamiliar and unsafe.
- Ultraviolet reflectance can also have an effect, as some feathers and plants reflect light in ways birds may find attractive or not.
If you want to attract birds to your yard, use natural, muted colors that blend in with their surroundings. Providing food, water, and habitat is more effective than just focusing on colors.
I’m Elisa and I live in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two little girls. I used to teach reading and writing, but now I stay at home with my two kiddos and read and write in my spare time. I also love to undertake DIY projects, find new recipes on Pinterest, and dream about someday finally completing our home. Above all, I love to learn about new things and sharing my new-found knowledge with others.
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