8 Bird Feeders & Baths You Can DIY From Old Plastic

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Is your garden feeling a little lifeless? Do you have beautiful foliage and flowers but no wildlife to enjoy it? Well, before you start considering that pricey water fountain or elaborate bird feeder at your local garden center, you might want to first consider some amazing bird-attracting features you can DIY out of old plastic containers, jugs, bottles, plates, and even sleds. These projects are not only budget friendly — especially when some fancier store-bought options can cost upwards of $1,000 — but they are also a great way to help the environment by giving your old plastic items a new life.

These DIY ideas offer a range, too, depending on how much time, experience, and materials you have at hand. For example, the simplest water bottle feeder — in the shape of an adorable mushroom, no less — requires only the plastic bottle itself, scissors, and some string, along with paint to make it more fun and colorful. If you have more time and resources, this list also contains projects like a more elaborate birdbath, which is made using a plastic plate, tub, pipes, and an aquarium pump for a running water option. 

Whatever you decide to make, remember that birdbaths and feeders should be placed near natural covers like trees and bushes so that the winged visitors feel like they can hide from predators. In addition, shady areas are best for birdbaths in order to keep the water at a comfortable temperature and stop it evaporating as quickly.

If you feel bad throwing away empty coffee tubs, this project is for you. To create a budget-friendly DIY feeder out of a plastic coffee container, lay it flat and place the flexible lid inside to create a shelf. Secure it using hot glue or screws, making sure to cover the ends of the screws with tape to avoid injuring the birds. Then, cut out the bottom of the jug so your winged visitors can access the food from either side. Hang it by looping string through two binder clips and attaching them to both ends.

You can also attract birds with a whimsical mushroom-themed feeder. Start by cutting a soda bottle into thirds and carving a semicircle out of the bottom piece so it resembles a scoop, blunting the edge with tape or a soldering iron to protect the feet of the birds. Then, paint the top piece red with white spots and the bottom piece white; only painting the outside is best so it doesn't interact with the food. Fix the two sections together with string, poke holes in the top piece, and loop a string through to hang your adorable feeder with.

You can even use a plastic bottle to make a running-water birdbath. Just cut the top of the bottle off, blunting the edges and placing a solar pump — like this Biling Solar Water Pump — in the bottom. Then, flip the top of the bottle upside-down, poking some holes for the water to drain through. Feed the tube through the hole in the top and surround it with some small rocks. Fill with water, and the liquid should travel up through the pump before filtering back down again, creating a charming water feature for birds to enjoy.

This simple yet effective feeder only requires a bottle, some string, a sharp implement, and two dowels or pencils. Poke holes on either side of the bottle and slide one dowel through, then repeat with the second dowel just above the first. These create handy perches for the birds to sit on. Then, cut out some small circles — just wide enough for the seed to be accessible but not immediately fall out. Poke the neck of the bottle twice, loop some string through, fill it with seeds, and voila! You have your very own functional bird feeder.

If you find plastic cups lying around after your parties, why not turn some into bird feeders? Simply cut a two or three-inch section off the bottom of the cup and use a hole punch to create four holes around the outside. Then, loop some twine or fishing line through the holes and tie it at the top. Finally, fill the cup with bird seed and hang in your garden where the birds can feast. As this feeder is uncovered, make sure to change out the food regularly to stop it rotting due to rain and moisture.

You can also repurpose an old plastic sled into a fun bath for local birds. Simply set a bucket down for the base, using rocks or bricks to secure it. Then, lay a plastic sled on top and fill with water, adding some rocks inside to create interest for the birds and hold it in place. If the birds aren't enticed at first, you can also layer on a plastic plant tray on top to create multiple levels for them to explore. Make sure to clean the bath and replace the water regularly to keep your wildlife healthy.

Looking for an ornamental option? Attach a plastic tube to a tap with hot glue and connect the other end of the tube to an aquarium pump. Place that inside an old plastic bucket, securing with more glue. Then, attach another tube with a section cut out of the bottom to a plastic plate with a hole in the middle. Finally, fill the bucket with water so the liquid can pour out of the tap, onto the plate, and back around, creating a fun and unique feature for the nearby birds.

Finally, milk jugs often end up in the recycling bin, but this item actually makes a perfect bird feeder. Simply clean your jug and cut out three windows — a few inches wide and about half the jug height — on the sides that don't have the handle. Then, cover the edges with tape so the birds don't cut themselves when they land to have a snack. Finally, poke two holes in the lid and loop some string through. Once you twist the lid back on, the feeder can be filled and hung to attract birds to your garden.