According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 95% of American bird watchers enjoy the hobby from their own homes. Attracting local wildlife to your backyard doesn’t require a massive budget or expensive landscaping.
You can skip the high-priced, tiered water fountains and premium $20 pavers. Instead, a simple DIY bird bath using basic concrete blocks and a shallow basin can easily transform your yard.
A person carrying heavy concrete building blocks.
Facebook user Lori Kay Brown recently shared a highly effective, low-cost design in the MD Birding group. Her setup relies on a stack of curved edging pavers and a standard solar water fountain.
The Right Materials (and One to Avoid)
Brown’s original design repurposed a metal trash can lid as the water basin. However, she quickly issued an important update: avoid galvanized steel at all costs.
Zinc from galvanized metal can easily leach into the water and harm visiting birds. If you prefer to use metal, strictly stick to stainless steel.
Otherwise, follow Brown’s updated approach and use a Crescent Garden polymer resin saucer. These plastic alternatives are inexpensive, highly durable, and available in various colors to match your yard.
To power the water feature, you will need a small solar pump. A popular and reliable choice is the Mademax Solar Bird Bath Fountain, currently available on Amazon for around $16.79.
Stacking the Concrete Base
A completed DIY bird bath resting on curved concrete pavers in a yard.
The base of the bird bath dictates its final height. Wildlife experts recommend keeping the water source at least 2 to 3 feet off the ground to protect bathing birds from ground predators.
Achieving this height requires stacking several rows of concrete edging stones. You can find standard curved pavers for under $2 each at The Home Depot.
Alternatively, Lowe’s sells the 3-inch-tall Oldcastle Haloedge edging stone for $3.48. To reach the 2-foot safety mark with these specific stones, you will need to stack at least eight layers.
If you already have leftover pavers sitting in a shed or garden, repurposing them will drive the cost of this project down even further.
Assembly and Customization
Different variations of DIY bird baths featuring stone bases and solar fountains.
Find a shaded area in your yard that is clearly visible from a window. Stack your curved pavers sideways in a tight circle, ensuring the natural edges face outward for a textured finish.
Once the base reaches your desired height, place your clean resin saucer or stainless steel lid directly on top. Fill the shallow basin with fresh water and drop in the solar fountain.
As soon as sunlight hits the solar panels, the fountain will automatically start spraying. From there, the design is entirely customizable based on your budget and vision.
Fellow DIYers Kathleen Conwell McGoo and Eugemia’s Creations have shared similar builds featuring painted concrete blocks and river rocks placed inside the basin. To further integrate the bath into your landscape, plant native shrubs around the base or string fairy lights through the surrounding foliage.
