Turn An Old Vintage Milk Can Into A Charming Bird Bath

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you're looking to attract birds to your garden, one of the best ways is to provide a nice place for them to cool off during the warmer months. Enter the bird bath. With it, you get the benefits of watching your gorgeous winged friends frolic about from a nearby window, but without the labor and costs that come along with feeder restocking and bird house cleaning. And thanks to the amazing DIY community on TikTok, there's no shortage of videos available illustrating how to build one from affordable secondhand finds or forgotten garage items. For instance, @trusttheprocess_mom shares the finished result of a pretty amazing bird bath constructed from an upcycled milk can and a plastic drip tray set on top. For a touch of flair, she added gorgeous tumbled stones to the basin. 

Another user gave an old milk can a facelift by repainting and transforming it into a simple yet uniquely rustic bath. However, the brilliance behind this stunning water feature is that both users completely bypassed the tasks of drilling, wire threading, and measuring by installing a solar water pump in place of a traditional wired one, such as DDcafor's Solar Fountain Water Pump. Solar pumps only require sunlight for operation — just set them in water and within seconds they'll get right to work. 

This means no spout setup and no extra bucks added to your electricity bill if you want it running 24/7. The materials needed include a milk can, some kind of sturdy water basin (or a pan), and a solar pump. Add in a few tailored decorative touches, and you can create a bath that's as easy to build as it is charming.

The sound of the running water from the bird bath is an easy way to make your backyard more relaxing. It's also a surefire way to entice more birds to pay your bird bath a visit, as they're instinctively attracted to the movement and sound of the running water. And similar to store-bought baths, the elevated height of the milk can helps to protect the birds from predators while they're taking a dip. 

In terms of cost, you can find vintage milk cans on Amazon for about $25, such as the Hosley Chalkboard Milk Can. Or, you can check out your local thrift store to score a better deal. Expect to spend at least $10 each for the solar-powered pump, several dozen tumbled rocks, and a can of spray paint for this project. Overall, this DIY may cost about $60 if you need to buy all your supplies new.

Want to put your own imaginative spin on it? Add to the rustic vibe of the milk can by using a repurposed cooking pan for the bath's basin instead of a ceramic bowl. For a more textured detail, try wrapping a thick rope around the milk can. You can also glue marbles to the basin or paint the outside in complementary or contrasting colors for an extra creative touch.