Hummingbirds have difficulty bathing at traditional bird baths, but love to fly through mist! This DIY bird bath project creates the perfect place for hummingbirds to play and bathe. Decorate this hummingbird mister to match your backyard décor, and wait for the hummingbirds to find it!
Materials:
- 5-gallon plastic container, about 20 x 16 x 12 in.
- 2 unthreaded 1/2-in. PVC pipes, 14 in. and 15 in. long
- 1 piece threaded 1/2-in. PVC pipe, 18 in. long
- 2 PVC elbows for 1/2-in. pipe
- 1 PVC cap for 1/2-in. pipe
- PVC cement
- Steel wool
- Submersible pump
- Small rocks
- One 1/2-in.-female-to-5/8-in.-male adapter
- 3 misters
- Spray primer, paint and finishing spray
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Start by cutting the unthreaded PVC pipe. (You can use pipe cutters or a handsaw.) You'll need a 14-in. piece for the left leg and a 15-in. piece for the top. In the 15-in. piece, drill one hole in the center for the top mister and two holes for the bottom misters. The size of the sprayers will determine the size of the holes you drill.
Step 2
The third piece of PVC, for the right leg, should be threaded at both ends. This piece is likely precut to 18 in. long. You'll want to cut this to roughly 12 in., but first do a little measuring. Attach the adapter to the end of the threaded pipe and pump. Meanwhile, place the cap on the left leg. Stand both legs up so they're even. Mark the top of the right leg to mimic the length of the left leg and make your cut. (Once everything is attached, you'll have a large U.)
Step 3
It's time to attach all the plumbing pieces together. First rub the ends of the PVC pipe and the insides of the PVC elbows and cap with steel wool. This will help the pieces adhere together. Dust the pieces off, apply PVC adhesive to the outside of the pipe, and connect the elbows and cap. Be sure the holes you drilled face up and down. Let adhesive dry.
Step 4
Remove sprayers and adapter from the piping, and lightly sand the pipes with steel wool. Start with a coat of primer on the piping and let dry. Prime your container, too, if needed. Once the primer is dry, paint the piping and container with the color of your choice.
After all the base coat paint is dry, it's time to get creative. Paint flowers or your choice of design with acrylic paint. When complete, spray your work with a clear matte finishing spray.
Step 5
Now it's time to insert the misters. Use a toothpick to add a pea-size amount of cement to the base of the misters. Insert into the drilled holes, making sure not to clog any sprayer openings. Allow cement to dry.
Step 6
Use the adapter to connect the piping to the pump. (If the seal isn't tight, you might need to add thread seal tape.) Place inside the container, and secure in place with small rocks or bricks.
Step 7
Set your new hummingbird mister outside near your hummingbirds' favorite feeder or flowers, and add water. Enjoy!
Lynne Baxter says
This is awesome. I will need to make for all my hummingbirds
Jane says
I have been looking for the misters at my local hardware store. The “misters” they have project water 4 – 6 feet, not really what I would call a mist. Do you have a source for the real mister fittings? I know they come in patio misting kits, but don’t know where to buy them without getting an entire kit. They are not in the landscape/garden irrigation area of my store. Thanks.
Brian B. says
Amazon.com has a variety of misting nozzles, even one already in short pieces of PVC pipe. The picture shown appears that these misting nozzles produce a very fine mist.
Carol says
This is helpful…I could not find locally here in southern VT either…it’d be helpful if links were provided….
Joe D says
A more detailed picture or sketch is better than a 1000 w0rds
Mary Ellen says
I too would like to know where to get these “misters”. The only ones I have found need to be connected to a hose-not a submersible pump. Any input would be greatly appreciated Thanks, Mary Ellen
Brian B. says
Amazon.com has a variety of misting nozzles, even one already in short pieces of PVC pipe. The picture shown appears that these misting nozzles produce a very fine mist.
AVG GI says
And how large (strong) is the submersible pump? Details please.
lilbitandme says
Please help us!!! We need pics and where you got the misters and the pump!!!!
Thank you!!!
Brian B. says
If we could ever find out what size of pump (the flow rate) needed to make this hummingbird mister, there a large variety of Submersible, Hydroponics/Fountain, Pond, Statuary, and Aquarium Pumps on Amazon.com and eBay.
As I have informed a couple of other people, Amazon.com has a variety of misting nozzles, even one already in short pieces of PVC pipe. The picture shown appears that these misting nozzles produce a very fine mist.
Alyce Riley says
Try Home Depot for the misters
Alyce Riley says
We have tried this project with a submersible pump from Home Depot rated to pump up 1 foot..the misters are for a water cooling system used in desert areas. We did the project per directions with NO LUCK> So we are tweaking it in several ways. Don’t use the misters, drill very small holes in the pipe, use a shallower container, add large rock so the hummingbirds have a place to sit.. Next bwe are going to paint the piping red to attract them. Good Luck!
Jennifer D says
These are great tips. I’m wondering if the drilled holes create a mist or do they drip? I felt the container was too deep, also. Using a shallower one is much safer for the hummers and any other birds that might visit. I think I’ll add a perch that hummers can wrap their feet around, making sure there’s enough room for them to fly through the mist if they don’t want to perch. Painting the piping red is brilliant (once I read this I said to myself, “Of course!”).
Beth Ann R/ says
I agree with Jennifer. When using a tub this deep I’d put some screen over the top of the water using a bungee cord to prevent the hummers from falling in.
Laura Glass says
Please remember these little birds fly over the Gulf of Mexico some times they get to stop and rest if they fly over one of the oil drilling platforms. Some of the drilling crews put out feeders for the hummers so they will have more energy for the rest of the trip.I don’t think you have to worry about the little hummers falling into 4-6″ of water unless you have something they could tangle up in in the water container,
Brian B. says
Someone has previously asked what size of submersible pump that you used, but there was no response. What was the flow rate of the pump that you used? Was it 400 GPH? Thank you.
Brian B. says
Someone has previously asked what size of submersible pump that you used, but there was no response. What was the flow rate of the pump that you used? Was it 50-100 GPH (gallons per hour) 100-200 GPH, 200 to 400 GPH, or greater than 400 GPH? Thank you.
Carol says
I used a 200 GPS pump and misters from Amazon (misters were seperate, not attached to pcv). This did not work. Not sure if I need a larger pump or misters with larger holes..
grant berry says
what is the source for the misters ?
Tammy VanderMolen says
I have an old cast-iron sink I was thinking of re-purposing & this may be a good use for it. But I wonder if it would be safe, in the event of a short in the pump. What do you think?
For those asking where to buy misters, I found these (below). While not exactly what was described, they may be adaptable.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hummingbird+mister
Dave Shipley says
There are a lot of requests for pump size, but no apparent response from the author/designer.. I have tried two different size pumps from Home Depot and neither worked. The misters we used are from the micro sprinkler department and call for a PSI of 20-30. The fountain pumps I tried are rated for gallons per hour and measured in feet. There seems to be a great deal of confusion regarding both the misters and pump size. Certainly the publisher could have this subject detailed better for us that are have question with the lack of information in the instructions. Thank you.
Tom Towner says
I have asked for the required pump size needed to make this work and have not gotten a reply Can anyone tell me what GPH i need
Thanks
Roger Hornaday says
First of all, make sure the misters are not made of metal, as many metals are toxic to hummingbirds. The ones in the picture appear to be plastic, which is OK.
Betty storman says
Why not share this amazing idea in a video with detailswe can understand and where to get what we need or if it Can be made at home with materials we have. It is nice to have written instructions, but a video makes it all seem less complicated. Thanks! I didn’t know hummers needed a mister for a bath..never thought about the bird bath not being sufficient for all my birds….love the idea.
Ward Wensch says
http://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-bird-bath/hummingbird-mister-diy-bird-bath/ In the article Mister should be spelled m-y-s-t-e-r. Don’t believe me? Look it up.