How to Build a Natural Bird Waterer

The element of adding a natural bird waterer or birdbath makes for exciting bird watching. On-the-ground waterers are more natural therefore attract a larger variety of birds. Ground waters are ideally 1 to 2 inches deep, placed near shrubs to allow birds to dry safely away from predators, and they should be cleaned regularly with a mild bleach solution. Natural bird waterers are easily constructed from a few extra garden supplies that are readily available at most home and garden centers.

Things You'll Need

  • 24-inch plant saucer, plastic or terra cotta
  • Bag of clean natural garden stones
  • Metal shepherd's hook
  • 3 feet of cotton rope
  • Plastic, 2-gallon watering canister
  • Straw sun hat
  • Electric drill with 1/16-inch bit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill a small hole in the canister near the bottom on the side below the watering arm.

    • 2

      Place the shepherd's hook into the ground where you want the bird waterer to be located.

    • 3

      Tie the rope around the handle of the watering canister and suspend the canister from the strongest center point of the shepherd's hook.

    • 4

      Check to make sure that the body of the canister lays with its side flush against the front side of the shepherds hook, and angles the end with the hole pointing downward.

    • 5

      Pour 1 cup of water into the canister to make sure the dripping hole works. The water should be at a slow drip for effect, not a pouring spill.

    • 6

      Position the plant saucer so the edge of it catches the dripping water coming from the hole drilled in the bottom of the watering canister.

    • 7

      Pour a few garden rocks from the bag into the saucer to offer a natural look.

    • 8

      Pour enough garden rocks around the outside edges of the saucer to form a 2-inch border and balance the saucer. This keeps the activity of the birds from flicking soil into the waterer and flipping over the saucer.

    • 9

      Pour 1 gallon of water into the watering canister. Check to make sure the shepherd's hook can bear the weight. Readjust the hook or canister, if necessary.

    • 10

      Place one rock under the drip, toward the middle of the saucer, to make a small shower effect for small birds. Fill the saucer with clean water.

    • 11

      Pinch the sun hat in half and wedge it down into the top of the watering canister. This prevents the canister from being a drowning threat to startled birds.

    • 12

      Check to make sure that the sun hat stays in place and the hook and canister are stable under normal weather conditions.