Repurpose A Tumbler Into A Creative Bird Bath For Hummingbirds

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Reusable water bottles help us stay hydrated on the go while reducing reliance on plastic. However, even the sturdiest tumblers can pick up a few dents and scratches after a season or two outdoors. Instead of throwing them into the landfill, there are several creative ways to repurpose old travel mugs around the house. If you've ever been curious about attracting hummingbirds to your garden, consider turning your old tumbler into a bird bath. Since these tiny creatures are drawn to moving water rather than stagnant baths, this project incorporates a small fountain.

You can find most of the necessary supplies at your local craft store, hardware store, or online. You'll need a small water pump, like this Sunnydaze Submersible Solar Water Pump Kit from Amazon, to create the fountain effect, along with a power drill, a reusable straw, a shallow cup, and a hot glue gun. You can thrift a larger bowl for the bath's basin, and a stick from outside (no more than an inch in diameter) will serve as a perch. You'll also need a soldering iron to create notches in the cup so birds can grip the lid. When working with heated plastic, it's a good idea to use a mask or respirator fitted with P100 cartridges to protect your lungs from any fumes.

As you choose materials, opt for colors that attract hummingbirds, such as yellow, red, and pink. You can also paint your materials, but just make sure the paint does not contain volatile organic compounds.

Start by drilling a hole at the center of the tumbler's base and another of the same diameter into the bottom of the shallow cup. Then, turn it upside down to align with your tumbler. Although you can use a soldering iron for this step, it's best to minimize exposure to melting plastic. Next, connect the bottom of the shallow cup to the bottom of your tumbler using hot glue, making sure the holes align. Run the straw through, and attach it to the pump's spout. Water should flow up through the straw and over the tumbler.

At this point, you may notice the wire connecting the pump to its solar panel causes the fountain to sit unevenly. Fix this by cutting or filing a notch into the edge of the shallow cup, so you can feed the wire through.

Next, put on your respirator. To prevent the birds from slipping when they land, use the soldering iron to etch grooves and pockmarks onto the tumbler's lid. Then cut or solder two opposite holes on either side of the tumbler, running the stick through to create a perch. Now place your DIY tumbler fountain into your large thrifted bowl, and pour about a cup of water into the bottom. You can also ditch the bowl and place this fountain in an existing bird bath. Just make sure to change the water every couple of days. Once finished, you'll have an eye-catching water feature that gives hummingbirds a refreshing place to stop while adding a little movement and charm to your garden.