Build Bird Feeders from Repurposed Materials
Edited by Shalom, Robbi, Eng, Lynn and 3 others
When spring arrives, it's a signal to all of us to look forward to the coming of the warmer months. There is no better time for bird watching than springtime, when different species of birds are out in the neighborhood. Nothing is more cheerful than the sound of birds chirping and singing.
If you enjoy watching and listening to birds, one way to attract these wonderful creatures is to offer them their favorite foods - seeds of different varieties, ranging from millet to thistle seed, and shelled sunflowers.
Bird feeding is a way of taking care of your feathered friends, while allowing you to observe them at close proximity. If you want them to become a mainstay in your garden and sing to you all day, learn how to build bird feeders from repurposed materials. You'll be doing Mother Earth a great favor both by feeding your feathered guests and recycling materials that would have been otherwise thrown out to harm the environment.
When you decide to make a bird feeder, it is important to consider the feeding habits of birds. By setting up more feeders near trees, or bushes, you can effectively reduce the chances of transmitting diseases among birds searching for food. Thankfully, there are many different and simple but creative ways to make bird feeders without having to spend much out of pocket.
A. Soda Bottle Feeder
Materials Needed
- One empty plastic bottle, 20 oz.
- Two old wooden spoons
- Sharpie marker
- Craft knife
- Pair of scissors
- Floral wire
- Funnel
Procedure
- 1Cut out the shapes with a craft knife.Use a Sharpie marker to draw a small circle about 4 inches from the bottom on one part of the bottle and at the opposite side.
- 2Rest the other end of the spoon on the smaller hole.Insert the end of the spoon through the holes.
- 3This time, cut out the holes so that the spoons lie at 90 degree angle to each other.Repeat the process 2 inches from the base of the soda bottle.
- 4Use the funnel to fill the bottle with birdseed.
- 5Replace the cap, making sure the wire hanger is secured. Hang the soda bottle feeder outside.Form a hanger by twisting the floral wire to the top of the bottle.
B. Bird Feeder Balls
Materials Needed
- Scraps of long fabrics and laces
- Twig spheres or small pine cones
- Peanut butter
- Pair of scissors
- Birdseed
Procedure
- 1Use small scissors to push the fabric in and out of the sphere. Secure the fabric by tying a knot at the end.Insert the fabric scraps through the gaps in the sphere.
- 2Try to avoid spreading it on the fabric.Apply peanut butter around the spheres.
- 3Roll the spheres with peanut butter in a bowl filled with bird seeds.
- 4Make as many feeders as you want.Hang the feeders in trees across the garden.
C. Flowerpot Bird Feeder
Materials Needed
- 1 PC terracotta or clay flowerpot, with pre-drilled holes at the side
- 2 pcs saucers, large enough to cover the top of the flowerpot
- Glass and tile drill bits, 1/2'" and 1/8"
- 2 feet 3/32" vinyl coated wire rope
- 1/8" ferrule and stop set
- Pliers
Procedure
- 1Add three drainage holes in the saucer to be used as base.Drill 1/8" holes in the center of each saucer.
D. Summer Wreath Bird Feeder
Materials Needed
- Several pieces of twigs formed into a wreath
- Splatter guard
- 3 pcs of 50" long jute
- Cuttings from any flowering shrubs and native grasses
Procedure
- 1Cut three pieces of jute, each measuring 50" in length.
- 2Divide the splatter guard into three equal quantities.
- 3Make three small holes through the screen of the splatter guard.
- 4Use the jute to tie the splatter guard to the wreath.
- 5Braid the excess strings and tie another loop to hold the birdseed.Gather the three strings and tie them into a loop.
- 6Tuck cuttings from any plants or wildflowers found in the area, such as sunflower, hyacinths, geraniums, and native grasses.
E. Orange Bird Feeder
You'll need an orange, four pcs of twine or yarn, each cut into 24" lengths, a sharp knife, scooper, and the bird seeds.
Procedure
- 1Use a sharp knife to cut the orange in half.
- 2Scoop out the flesh.
- 3Drill four small holes ½" from the top edge of each opposite sides.
- 4Repeat the process with the other pieces of twine, making a crisscrossing pattern in the middle of the orange.Insert the end of a twine through a hole, bringing it through the opposite end.
- 5Gather the ends of the twines together and form a knot.
- 6Repeat the entire process with the other half.
- 7Fill the orange with bird seeds.
- 8Hang from a tree near the house.
F. Recycled Bottle Bird Feeder
Materials Needed
- 1 PC empty liter bottle, plastic
- 2 pcs 6" wood disks
- 1 PC wood ball finial
- 2 pcs ball jar lids
- 1 PC threaded crown bolt
- 2 pcs nuts
- Spray paint
- Eye hook
Tools:
- Hacksaw
- Power Screwdriver
- Hole Punch
- A pair of sharp scissors
Procedure
- 1Let dry in open air.Paint all the parts with outdoor spray paint.
- 2Drill holes through the center of the disk, ball finial and lid using a power screwdriver with the same bit size as the threaded bolt.
- 3Use a hole puncher to make a large opening at one side of the bottle for the seeds.Cut the empty liter bottle all around the body with a pair of sharp scissors.
- 4Use a hacksaw to trim the threaded bolt to fit it to the measured length.Measure the exact length of bolt needed to secure the feeder together.
- 5Turn the bottle upside down, with the holes at the bottom of the feeder. Fill it up with enough birdseed. The gravity will push the seed to overflow out onto the bottom lid. Tighten the nut underneath to secure it from the weight of the birds.Assemble the feeder together.
Tips, Tricks and Warnings
- Clean and disinfect the bird feeder every time you need to refill it. Mix one part of ordinary liquid chlorine bleach with nine parts of water to achieve a 10% disinfectant solution.
- Discard birdseed that smells or appears moldy. Replace with fresh supply of birdseed for a healthier diet for the birds.
- Clean the feeder area of bird droppings and food spills to prevent growth of bacteria. If there are no plants or house parts to be damaged, apply the same 10% bleach solution to disinfect the area.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
