How to Make a Bird Feeder
Making bird feeders can be as simple as using a pinecone and some peanut butter and as involved and creative as using toy building blocks. Here are some ideas to get your family started:
Pinecone bird feeder – This is an easy project for little kids but still fun for everyone. Pick pinecones with plenty of space between the layers, spread them with peanut butter, roll in birdseed, and hang from trees or feeders.
Orange bird feeder – Recycle orange peels to make a feeder. A half a peel, with the fruit scooped out, makes an easy feeder. Punch holes in the sides and use twine to hang it outside. Fill the peel with birdseed.
Milk carton feeder – Take the difficulty up a notch with this idea. Cut holes in the sides of a clean and dry carton and add perches using sticks or other materials. Fill the carton with seed and hang outside.
Water bottle bird feeder – Upcycle used plastic water bottles to make this simple feeder. Cut holes directly opposite each other on the bottle. Put a wooden spoon through both holes. Enlarge the hole on the spoon end. Fill the bottle with seeds. The seeds will spill out on to the spoon, giving the bird a perch and a platter of seeds.
Necklace feeders – Using twine or some other type of string, create “necklaces” of bird-friendly food. For example, use Cheerios and add berries and fruit pieces. Hang the necklaces from trees.
Construct a feeder – For older kids and teens, use scrap wood and nails to build a feeder. Or get really creative and build a feeder out of Lego blocks.
Enjoying Your DIY Bird Feeder
To enjoy your homemade bird feeder, keep a few important things in mind:
Feeders should be clean and dry to start. Clean them regularly with use and replace as needed with new crafts.
Try a variety of seeds and bird foods to enjoy more species of birds. Use general bird seed, sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet, and various fruits to attract more birds.
Keep feeders filled at all times, even in the winter. Also, provide water in your yard and areas of shelter, such as shrubs or brush piles.
