A bird bath is something every garden should have, no matter how big or small. Birds need water to drink, and they also use standing water as a way to clean themselves and get rid of parasites. By putting one in your garden, you’ll draw in more feathered friends. You could buy one pre-made, but a simple and inexpensive option is to craft a bird bath that floats from just two components. Read on to learn more.
What is a Flying Saucer Bird Bath?
A flying saucer bird bath, a hovering bird bath, or one that floats, may sound strange, but picture a shallow dish that seems to just hover over your plants in the garden. It’s a pretty, unique look, and there is no magic involved in making it. All you need are a couple of items you likely already have in your toolshed or garden.
How to Make a Hovering Bird Bath
The two ingredients are some type of saucer and a tomato cage. The former could be any kind of wide, shallow dish. Birds prefer a bath that is shallow because it mimics their natural bathing area – a puddle.
A simple choice is a large saucer from a planter. Terracotta or plastic saucers are both good choices. Other options that would work for a bird bath include shallow bowls or dishes, inverted garbage can lids, oil pans, or anything else that is shallow and can be upcycled.
The base of your floating bird bath is also easy. A tomato cage set into the ground provides a perfect base. Choose one that matches the size of your saucer and you can simply set it onto the cage and call it done. If the sizes don’t match, you may need to use a strong glue to adhere the dish to the cage.
Simply place the dish or saucer on top of the cage, and you have a floating, hovering, tomato cage bird bath. To really make it seem as if the saucer is floating, paint the tomato cage a color that blends into the surroundings, like brown or green. Add a pretty vining plant to grow in and around the tomato cage for an extra special touch (and additional shelter for birds). Fill your saucer with water and watch the birds flock to it.