Ditch Traditional Bird Baths For These Creative Alternatives

Somewhere in all of us, there dwells a deep-rooted desire to be wrapped up in a magical garden. We want it all: the soft, sultry glow of tea lights, whimsical fairy houses made of old glass jars, ivy creeping ever-so romantically over walls and fence posts, bright colored blossoms, nectarous scents, and — of course — critters, critters, everywhere. When you're aiming for whimsy in your garden, the presence of birds is a non-negotiable. To get them to stick around, you're going to need to make the space inviting with feeders, dwelling spaces, and bird baths, especially, because not every bird will be interested in seeds — but every bird is interested in water.

Traditional bird baths are charming enough, but they are often expensive, and as it turns out, not exactly necessary to please your local bird population. There are plenty of ways to upcycle old things and transform existing natural elements in your garden to create spaces where birds can drink, bathe, preen, and relax. Just as you might be with your shower situation, birds can be particular about where they bathe, and different species might have unique preferences. So, if you're looking to attract a variety of species, it's best to provide a variety of bird bath options beyond the common ones available. Here are some alternatives they might just enjoy instead.

Any number of things can act as the basin of your homemade bird bath, including serving bowls, flower planters, overturned lids, pie pans, or plant saucers. Birds prefer to bathe in one to two inches of water, so add things like rocks or branches to the bottom to keep them from slipping. As for the base, flower pots stacked and glued together create an artistic shape, while basins secured to piled stone give a natural aesthetic. Use an industrial silicone glue to secure the basin to the stand, and be sure to fill hollow vessels used in the base with rocks for stability. 

When a beloved backyard tree has fallen, there's no better way to honor its role as the birds' favorite hangout spot than to transform it into a bird bath. If using it as your base, make sure it's level before securing a basin directly to the stump using silicone glue. Alternatively, the stump can be both base and basin, if you're willing to DIY it. In this case, the center of the stump must be carefully carved out into a bowl shape using a chainsaw and filled with cement or epoxy, each of which will work to waterproof it.

Though folks use raised bird baths to keep birds safe from predators, many birds prefer a ground-level bath that mimics natural water bodies. That said, a small inlaid rock pool in your yard works as both a bird bath and an incredible focal point for your landscaping. To get this done with minimal effort, procure a nice selection of large flat stones and press them a couple of inches into the ground to make depressions. The rocks will help hold water, forming a shallow little puddle. These have to be refilled regularly, but that's okay, since the bird bath water should be changed daily. 

To make a bird bath that hangs from a porch beam or tree branch, choose a shallow basin and drill equidistant holes to feed ropes or chains. (This is similar to the steps required for a DIY boho plant hanger.) If working with glass, use a diamond-coated bit and keep water running across the glass's surface to prevent the drill from overheating. If you'd prefer not to drill at all, make a metal chain ring with four equally long lengths of chain connected to it with zip ties or wire. All four lengths of chain can then be linked with a carabiner.

If your sink already has a pedestal, find a nice place to put it, plug up the drainage hole, fill the sink with stones to make it the correct depth, and add water. If it's unstable and needs a little more security to stand on its own, try burying part of the base in the ground. Sink basins without pedestals can be propped up on piles of rocks or pavers or even drilled directly into a tree or wooden post. With a solar pump, you can also transform it into a water feature. 

If you want to provide as many options as possible, you can turn any potted plant into a splash pad — so long as you have the right glassware. Margarita glasses are perfect in this scenario as they have a long stem that can sit above the plant and a large, stepped bowl for easy splashing. Make sure to get thick glass that won't easily chip or break. Bury the base of the glass in the soil for stability, add some small pebbles or marbles, fill with water, and voila!

Finding an ornate cast-iron ice cream parlor chair at the antique mall certainly isn't unheard of. Once you stumble across one that tickles your particular brand of fancy, take it home and offer it up to your backyard birds as a gesture of hospitality by turning it into a bird bath. Simply find a somewhat shady spot — preferably under a tree — position the chair, and secure a basin to the seat. You can also use a plant saucer or a pie plate and secure it using silicone glue.

If you want to get a little more up close and personal with the birds, you might offer up some tabletop baths. In the same way thrifted vases make excellent bird bath bases, when topped with a small bowl or serving plate, thrifted candlesticks and vintage lamps can do the same. Place them on outdoor tables or low garden walls. Depending on how you style it and which colors you use, it can either contribute to an ultra-femme tea party vibe or a cool Victorian goth aesthetic. 

If you've got an old galvanized tub lying around your shed, give it the old DIY treatment and turn it into a beautiful and functional bird bath. To ensure that metal doesn't leech out into the water the birds are using, you'll have to waterproof it first with sealant or epoxy. Then, try painting the basin with bright hues or a fun design, as many birds are attracted to color. (Psst, hummingbirds love red and yellow.) The basin can be filled with pretty stones and nestled in a garden bed.