Turn An Old Thrifted Or Junkyard Sink Into A Beautiful Feature For Birds

If you're not currently renovating a bathroom or the kitchen, it's easy to overlook an old sink at a thrift shop or junkyard. The variety of sink shapes and sizes makes them adaptable for a multitude of projects, though. They all have one thing in common: a basin. Birds need a water source for drinking and cleaning their feathers year-round, and a reimagined sink can easily be converted to the bird spa your avian friends desire. After all, a charming DIY bird bath might attract as many birds as your birdfeeder.

Birds are not fussy about the size or shape of a bird bath, but the depth of the water is important. Since it shouldn't be more than around 2 inches deep, or deeper than the length of a bird's legs, most sinks will need a base of rocks in the basin to ensure the water is at an acceptable level. Since some paints can be toxic to birds, it's important to clean the thrifted sink thoroughly and scrape off any loose paint. Remove the paint completely if there's a chance it will leach into the water. Some heavy metals used in old sinks, like lead and zinc, are also toxic to birds and will need to be removed or permanently covered with a nonporous primer followed by two coats of zero-VOC, water-based nontoxic paint, before your sink becomes a bird bath. Don't forget to plug the drain hole before you put the bird bath into service, as well.

Birds don't like smooth surfaces, so include rough texture in your sink redesign. Use a non-skid water-based and zero-VOC nontoxic paint, or even bathtub stickers, on slippery surfaces. If you can't find nontoxic paint that is also nonskid, sprinkle sand on the paint before it dries. On the other hand, birds are attracted by sound, so if you want more backyard visitors, add a mister or a small pump to your new bird bath. If you'd prefer not to deal with providing electricity or remembering to switch out a battery, something as simple as a plastic jug hung over the sink with a hole for water to drip out of will do. Depending on the size of the basin, consider putting a large decorative rock or two in the water for birds to perch on as they attend to their cleaning. 

The refurbished sink can be placed anywhere in the yard, but following a few guidelines makes it easier for you to maintain it and for the birds to feel safe. It can be placed on the ground so that other beautiful wildlife will be attracted, or on a sturdy pedestal. If you or the neighbors have outdoor cats, it's probably best to elevate the sink. The birdbath needs to be flushed out and refilled daily, so putting it within reach of a hose is wise. Birds need water in the winter, too, so having a heater or using other methods to keep bird baths from freezing might require a location near an electrical outlet.