What better way to get close to nature than by feeding the birds? Bird feeders are one the friendliest and fun ways to attract birds into your yard or garden, and you will be amazed by how simple and easy it can be to build them from scratch.
Besides the fact that they look great in your garden, or hanging on your porch, bird feeders also make for a great gift for your friends who love wildlife in general. Several of our projects are great for children and make a fun family activity.
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We have compiled a list with some of the most interesting DIY bird feeders, that will inspire you to get started today.
1). Window Bird Feeders
This is perfect for those of you who love to hear the sound of birds chirping at your window. If you have young children it gives them a close-up view of wildlife.
All you have to do is to get some scrap wood that is lying around in your garden and use suction cups to stick it on your window. These are the perfect squirrel proof bird feeders as they won’t be able to reach them if you place them in the middle of the window away from the sill.
Instructions:
● Glue the pieces of wood in the shape of a house front
● Install the suction cups
● Fix them on your window
Check out this step by step video.
2). Pinecone Feeders
The pinecone bird feeders have become traditional among bird-lovers as they are very effective and easy to make. You have two options of building it: either you apply a layer of peanut butter on top of which you add the birdseed, or you can spread a layer of lard on top of which you add the birdseed.
There are lots of ways to make pinecone feeders. Some that even squirrels like. This video from Fox Run is about squirrels and has a feeder project for families at the end.
3). Gazebo Bird Feeders
If you are feeling the need to become a DIY master, then this would be a perfect project for you, as it requires some more intermediate woodworking skills. You can build a fly-through bird feeder in the form of a miniature gazebo, for the birds to come and go as they please.
Instructions:
● Buy the wood pieces and the plexiglass sides
● Glue them together as per instructions guide - check out the guide on Family Handy Man
● Hang it in a tree after you filled the bottom tray with birdseed
4). Clay Bird Feeders
We couldn’t go through our list of best bird feeders without mentioning an idea that can be also fun and entertaining for the little ones. Kids will always love to build things out of clay, and you can teach how to builds a tray that can be easily hung on any branch around your garden. A nice touch on these bird feeders would also be to paint the tray before installing it in the trees.
Instructions:
Make some homemade all-natural play-doh
Shape into a shallow bowl. Use a nail or a pencil to put four holes in the sides. These will be used to attach the string and hang.
Let air dry for several days
Paint with fun colors
Fill it with birdseed and hang it from a tree
You can often find classes on building a bird feeder at your local park or conservation office. Photo by USFWS midwest
5). Flower Pot Bird Feeders
One of the greatest ideas for homemade bird feeders is transforming old and unused flower pots into functional bird feeders. You will have to drill holes along the sides of the flower pot and fill it with bird seeds. If you want to get creative you can drill the holes into symmetrical patterns or whatever pattern suits your desires.
Instructions:
● Get a flower pot and it’s saucer and soak them in water for a night
● Drill several holes on the sides of the pot
● Use terracotta if possible
6). Repurposed Jars
You would be amazed by how many items around your house can serve as functional bird feeders, as a random jar for example. Use your imagination to decorate them. You can create some unique bird feeders that are perfect for gifting to your friends.
Instructions:
● Take whatever plastic jar you have in your kitchen
● Drill holes on the bottom side, fill with birdseed and place it upside down on a plastic plant tray
Order some bird seed to go with your homemade bird feeder.
7). Wine or Soda Bottle Bird Feeders
The biggest breakthrough about this kind of bird feeders is that you don't need to own any power tools to complete the project. After you fill the wine bottle with bird seeds, install it upside-down on a wooden tray so that seeds come out automatically when the tray is empty, It’s one of the easiest and most effective wooden bird feeders that you can decorate your garden with.
Instructions:
● Build a flat-bottom wooden frame
● Fill the bottle with birdseed and hang it upside down
● Gravity will take care of the constant birdseed fl
You can buy a kit that includes the feeding tray. You just supply a plastic bottle
8). Half an Orange Bird Feeders
An interesting fact, for those of you who are unaware, oranges will attract some unusual birds to your yard, such as mockingbirds and orioles as they are attracted by the citrus vapors. Take half an orange, scoop up the pulp and fill it with bird seeds.
One thing about bird feeders that you would have to be aware of is that you will have to throw away anything that hasn’t been consumed after a week.
Instructions:
● Slice an orange in half
● Remove the pulp
● Fill the orange rind with birdseed and hang it on a branch using twine.
9.. Cookie Cutter Bird Seed Feeder
Birdseed Cookies
This recipe comes from the king of bird watching - Cornell University
These feeders are festive and easy to make.
What you will need:
two cups birdseed - a good mixture works well
cookie cutters in any shape
one packet unflavored gelatin - you can get animal-friendly vegan gelatin here
two tablespoons cold water
one and one-third cup of boiling water
string or yarn for hanging
skewer or pencil fro making holes for the string
non-stick cooking spray
Spray your cookie cutters with non-stick spray to make the cookies easier to pop out.
Empty one package of unflavored gelatin into a quart-sized mixing bowl with two tablespoons of cold water. stir. Let this sit for 1 minute.
Next, add one-third cup of boiling water to the gelatin, stirring for a few minutes or until the gelatin is dissolved. This is the binder that keeps the seeds together.
Next, add two cups of birdseed to the gelatin and mix well.
On a tray or sheet of wax paper, layout your fun animal cookie cutters. Fill the cookie cutters with the mixture and press into shape firmly.
Make a small hole at the top of each cookie with the skewer for the string.
Place in the refrigerator for three hours to allow the seed mixture to set. Carefully pop the cookies out of their molds and thread a string through the hole. Hang the ornaments from a tree, pole, or hook outside your windows or in a tree and watch the birds devour them!
10). Suet Cakes for Winter Birds
Photo by Eammon Littler
Those blocks of suet that you can buy in the store are easy to make and much healthier for the birds. Suet is made out of rendered fat and it can help the birds survive a long and abrasive winter. Suet provides much-needed energy and protein during the cold winter months.
Among the species that might be attracted by suet cakes are woodpeckers that like to cling on everything. The birds that haven't migrated to warmer climates will be attracted by it.
Instructions:
● Gather rendered fat to cook the suede
● Take a solid metal cage in the shape of a cylinder
● Fill it with the suet cakes and hang them on a branch
Conclusion:
Building bird feeders out of random objects that can mostly be found around your garden and house is a great activity for clearing your mind. In these changing times where global warming is affecting the nature’s course, it’s the least you can help out all those birds in need. On top of that, It’s a cool gift idea for your friends who love the nature around them. What other bird feeder projects have you taken on so far? We would love to hear what interesting ideas you implemented in your garden.
Author’s Bio:
Guest Author, Archie Adams, was a professional builder for more than 40 years. After his retirement, he enthusiastically began working on woodworking and garden projects. Archie enjoys sharing his love of DIY projects and reviews tools for the blog Homemakerguide.com. He has also written for Mother Earth News website.
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