Attract More Birds by Building DIY Bird Feeders

Ever wanted to attract more birds to your yard but weren’t sure where to start? Building your own DIY bird feeders is a great way to draw birds in while tapping into your creative side. As an added bonus, DIY feeders can be an enjoyable educational project for kids and adults. With some basic materials and tools you likely already have, you can craft simple yet engaging feeders that provide entertainment for you and essential nourishment for your feathered friends.

Simple DIY Bird Feeders to Make From Household Items

Some of the simplest bird feeders to make at home require nothing more than basic household items you likely already have.

Pine Cone Feeders

Pine cones make a great base for an easy bird feeder. Just coat the pine cone with peanut butter or suet and roll it in birdseed. Attach a string to the top so you can hang it from a tree branch. The birds will love pecking away at the seeds stuck to the peanut butter. This kid-friendly project is a perfect way to use natural materials.

Plastic Bottle Feeders

Don't throw out your old plastic bottles - transform them into bird feeders! Cut a few holes in the sides of the bottle and add some wooden dowels for perches. Fill the bottom of the bottle with birdseed and screw on the cap. Birds can land on the perches and reach in to grab a snack. You can also decorate the bottles with stickers, paint or string for a more decorative look.

Using recycled materials to create bird feeders is an easy, eco-friendly activity for people of all ages. Not only will the birds appreciate your handcrafted feeders, but getting outside in nature can provide educational opportunities and help bring communities together. With some basic tools and creativity, you'll be attracting flocks of feathered friends to your garden in no time.

Fun and Creative DIY Bird Feeder Projects for Kids

If you're looking for a fun craft project to do with kids that also helps the environment, building DIY bird feeders is a great option. Not only will you and your little ones have a blast being creative, but you'll also be providing an easy food source for your feathered friends.

One simple kid-friendly feeder you can make is a pine cone feeder. Have the kids coat pine cones in peanut butter and birdseed, then attach a string so you can hang them up. The birds will love pecking away at this treat!

For an easy and eco-friendly feeder, reuse a plastic bottle. Cut a few holes in the sides and bottom, fill it with birdseed, and attach some sticks for perches. This upcycled feeder will thrill both the birds and the planet.

If you want to get really creative, try making edible bird feeders using gelatin, cookie cutters, and seeds. The kids can shape the gelatin into fun molds, add seeds, and once hardened you can hang them up. Not only do the birds get a snack, but they also get some whimsical garden decor!

The great thing about DIY bird feeders is they provide learning opportunities for people of all ages. Kids can learn about nature, recycling and creativity. Adults may pick up new crafting skills. And everyone involved gets the rewarding experience of helping out our feathered neighbors.

So gather the family and get crafting - your local birds will surely appreciate the effort! By providing a variety of feeders, you'll attract different types of birds and keep them coming back for more. And who knows, you might just find a new rewarding hobby for you and your kids.

Advanced Bird Feeders for the Experienced Craftsperson

Advanced Bird Feeders for the Experienced Craftsperson

Once you’ve mastered the basics of DIY bird feeders, you may want to challenge yourself with some more complex builds. Wooden birdhouse feeders are a great option for seasoned craftspeople and woodworkers. You’ll need some basic carpentry skills and tools like a saw, drill, wood glue, and sandpaper.

Start with untreated wooden boards, about 1 inch thick and 6 to 8 inches wide. Cut the boards to size for your feeder’s back, sides, floor, roof, and front entrance. Drill pilot holes, then assemble with wood glue and weather-resistant screws. Create a circular entrance hole, 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Add some wooden perches, positioned about 6 inches apart and 6 to 8 inches from the entrance hole.

For the roof, cut triangular pieces to create a peaked shape. The roof should overhang the entrance hole by 3 to 6 inches to provide shelter. Once assembled, you can paint or stain the feeder if desired. Then fill it with birdseed, nuts, dried mealworms or suet cakes and watch the birds flock to your creation!

Recycled materials feeders are another great option for the DIY enthusiast. Raid your recycling bin for plastics like bottles, jugs and containers, clean tin cans, or mesh bags. Cut openings for the birds to access seed. Create a hanger or perches from wire, string or wooden dowels. These unique feeders will attract birds to your yard while reducing waste. Kids can join in the fun by decorating the feeders before filling them with birdseed.

With some time and patience, you can construct a bird feeder to be proud of. Customize the design to match your home, or get creative with unusual materials. Your feathered friends will appreciate your efforts. And you’ll enjoy hours of birdwatching entertainment!

Tips for Placement and Maintenance of DIY Bird Feeders

Once your DIY bird feeders are set up, proper placement and maintenance are key to keeping birds happy and healthy.

Location, Location, Location

Place your feeders at least 5 feet off the ground and within 3 feet of cover like bushes or trees. This gives birds easy access but also shelter from predators. Position feeders near a window so you can enjoy watching the birds, but make sure there is a barrier like netting so birds don’t fly into the glass.

Keep it Clean

Empty and refill feeders every 3-5 days, or more often in hot or rainy weather. Clean feeders monthly with a 10% bleach solution to prevent disease, rinsing and drying completely before refilling. Old or moldy seed and stale suet can make birds sick, so replace any uneaten food within a week.

Something for Everyone

Provide different feeders with a variety of seeds, suet, nuts and fruits to attract more species of birds. Certain birds prefer certain types of food, so mix it up! Think sunflower seeds, millet, peanuts, suet cakes, berries and melons.

Safety First

Place feeders away from predators like outdoor cats. Use feeders with weight-activated perches or cages to deter larger birds that may bully smaller birds. Avoid using mesh or netting that could entangle birds.

Community Engagement

Get neighbors, schools, scouts or community groups involved in building and maintaining feeders. This teaches kids and brings people together with a shared love of nature. You’ll also see more birds with multiple feeders in an area.

Keeping your feathered friends in mind with smart placement and upkeep of DIY feeders will lead to many seasons of enjoyment. Follow these tips and you’ll be attracting birds to your garden in no time!

The Benefits of Building Your Own DIY Bird Feeders

Building your own DIY bird feeders has many benefits beyond attracting feathered friends to your yard.

Education

Constructing feeders is a fun, hands-on project for kids and adults. As you design and build the feeders, you'll learn about the types of foods different birds enjoy and the kinds of feeders that attract specific species. Kids can develop an appreciation for nature and an understanding of how their creations are helping local wildlife.

Community

Involving family, friends, schools, or community groups in a collaborative feeder project is a great way to bring people together around a shared goal. You might organize a feeder-building event and invite people to bring materials to create and decorate their own feeders. Working side by side, you'll bond over crafting and chatting, all while enhancing your neighborhood by providing more feeding spots for birds.

Satisfaction

There's satisfaction in constructing something with your own two hands that also benefits nature. When you look out your window and see birds flocking to the feeders you built, you'll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Your feeders will become a source of delight for years to come as generations of feathered visitors stop by for a snack.

Cost-Effectiveness

Purchasing pre-made bird feeders can become expensive over time. Building your own using recycled or inexpensive materials is a budget-friendly alternative. With some basic tools and a little creativity, you can fashion feeders from plastic bottles, tin cans, wooden boards, and other items you likely already have on hand.

Constructing DIY bird feeders is a rewarding activity for people of all ages. By providing food and shelter for birds in your area, you're giving back to nature in a simple yet impactful way. And when you see birds flocking to the feeders you built, you'll experience the joy of knowing you created something that benefits both wildlife and your community.

Conclusion

You now have all the information you need to get started making your own DIY bird feeders. Grab some basic materials, round up the kids, and get crafting. Before you know it, your yard will be filled with the sounds of happy, chirping birds. Not only will you enjoy the simple pleasure of attracting colorful birds to your outdoor space, but you’ll feel good about doing something creative and eco-friendly. So go on, give one of these fun projects a try. Your feathered friends will thank you, and you’ll be glad you did. Happy building and happy bird watching!