Goodbye Pricey Hanging Birdbaths: There's An Alternative On Your Porch

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2022 survey on birding, about 91 million Americans (16+), or 35% of the population, identified as backyard birders, observing beautiful feathered friends from their homes and yards. Considering how massively popular birdwatching has become, it's no wonder the internet is full of great ideas for attracting feathered friends to our outdoor spaces. And one of the easiest, surefire ways to do so is to add a source of water, which birds need for drinking and bathing. Incorporating a birdbath in your yard is the easiest and most affordable method. But instead of spending $15, $20, or significantly more to purchase a new hanging bath or invest in a heavy, expensive freestanding option that requires yard space to enjoy, perhaps the no-cost answer is right in front of you.

TikTok user birdershewrote shared how she created a free upcycled DIY hanging birdbath using only materials she already had on her porch. By repurposing an empty cone-shaped basket planter — commonly sold with exterior hanging flower arrangements from a local nursery or hardware store — as the base and adding a plastic plant saucer nestled in the top as the water vessel, she created a no-cost birdbath for attracting avian wildlife. And because this DIY birdbath is completely portable, it can be hung anywhere from a tree limb in an expansive backyard to a small apartment balcony, making it a great renter-friendly and small-space upgrade to bring the happiness of bird life anywhere. To create your own repurposed DIY hanging birdbath, you'll need a spare hanging planter and compatible saucer, so let's dive into all of the details to make your project a piece of cake.

To create your own hanging birdbath, begin by selecting a hanging planter to repurpose. It doesn't have to be conical like on TikTok — any shape with a round opening at the top will work in the same manner, such as half dome planters or traditional tapered cylindrical options. You could even use a round tiered planter and incorporate plants with your setup or create a multi-tier birdbath house. The one caveat is to choose a planter large enough to remain fairly steady with the arrival of birds.

@birdershewrote_

Lets make a hanging bird bath! Plant saucer ✅ Hanging basket ✅ Little rocks ✅ Add water ✅ Now just add the birds! ✅ #birdbath #diy #birdsoftiktok #birdtok #birding #backyardbirds

♬ Splish Splash – Bobby Darin

The key to the hack is measuring the planter's diameter to ensure you're using the proper-sized saucer to nestle within it. Measure both the outer diameter of the hanging planter, as well as the diameter of the inner clearance. The saucer you choose must have a basin diameter that can sit within the inner portion of the hanging planter but a lip that will overlap and sit on the planter's outer ring for support. If these dimensions are matched up correctly, you should just be able to place the saucer on top of the planter so they nest together. 

Use small rocks to weigh down the saucer basin, preventing it from shifting with the weight of the adorable bathers, as well as to provide the birds with a little perch in the middle of the water. Hang your new birdbath in your yard or on your porch and fill the basin with water. To better attract birds and keep mosquitos at bay, you could also add a small solar fountain for water movement and circulation. Then it's time to kick back and enjoy watching your avian pals flock to their new favorite spot.