Creating a DIY bird feeder is an exciting project for the entire family to get involved in. Not only is it easy to assemble, but it also provides a great opportunity to bond, learn, and create something beautiful. Here’s a guide to get you started on your own homemade bird feeder!
1.Why Make a DIY Bird Feeder?
- Making a DIY bird feeder is not only a fun activity, but it’s also an educational one that can not only enhance your kids’ understanding of nature, but also give them an appreciation for the wildlife around them.
- Cost Efficient: What’s great about DIY bird feeders is that they’re usually relatively inexpensive to make. Most, if not all, of the materials you’ll need can be found laying around the house or can be bought at a local store for a few bucks.
- Creative Outlet: Crafts such as this are an incredible creative outlet for you and your kids. Let your kids’ imaginations run wild as you create unique designs, materials and shapes.
- Flexible Time Commitment: Making a DIY bird feeder can take anywhere from just a few minutes or a few hours, so you can easily decide for yourself how much time you’re willing to commit.
- A Learning Experience: Creating a DIY bird feeder is a great way to teach your children some useful lessons about the environment, birds, and nature. You can even teach them some bird feeding etiquette to encourage a deeper appreciation for nature.
2.How to Make a DIY Bird Feeder for Beginners
Gather necessary materials: Before starting your DIY bird feeder project, it’s helpful to have all the necessary items and materials on hand. This includes birdseed, empty plastic soda bottles, twine, wire, scissors, heavy-duty glue, and a small saw or knife.
Cut the bottle: After gathering the materials for your project, begin by taking an empty plastic soda bottle and cutting off the top – just below where the lid connects – to make a container. The container should be 2-3 inches wide, depending on the size of the bird you’ll be feeding.
Attach the wire: Once you’ve cut off the top of the bottle, drill a hole in the side and attach a piece of wire (about 5-7 inches) for easy hanging. Use a strong glue like epoxy to secure the wire.
Make holes: Make small holes around the top shoulder part of the bottle. These holes will give the birds a way to enter and exit once the feeder is finished. Be careful to make the holes as small as possible so that only small birds can get in.
Fill and hang: Fill the bottle with birdseed and make sure to secure the lid back on to prevent any spillage. Hang your bird feeder in a spot that is away from direct sun and wind.
Enjoy: That’s it! Enjoy watching the birds come feed from your DIY bird feeder. This is a great, fun project that you can do with your family and take pride in.
3.Creating an Inviting Feeding Spot for Birds
Bring wildlife into your backyard with this easy, family-friendly DIY bird feeder project! All you need is a few basic materials and an hour or two of free time to create an inviting, attractive feeding spot for the birds in your area.
- Gather Materials: You’ll need a clean, empty milk carton, some craft sticks, string, birdseed and peanut butter.
- Cut and Decorate: Cut two small holes in the side of the milk carton, just big enough to fit the craft sticks. Decorate the carton however you wish: paint, markers or stickers.
- Assemble: Take the craft sticks and thread string through the hole, tying a knot at the end. Spread peanut butter around the sticks. Attach birdseed to the sticks, pressing it firmly into the peanut butter.
- Hang and Enjoy: Create a loop in the string attached to the carton and hang the feeder from a tree branch or from a hook using the reinforced knot.
Your new bird feeder is now complete and sure to be a hit with your feathered friends. Enjoy the relaxing sound of birds chirping outside your window and take pride in this easy and fun project.
4.Types of Seeds and Feeds to Use
Making bird feeders is an activity that the whole family can enjoy and provides interesting education opportunities for children. There are a variety of different types of both seeds and feeds that can draw different types of birds to your backyard. Here are some of the top options:
- Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower seeds are high in fat and proteins, and they attract a variety of birds, including house finches, cardinals, jays, woodpeckers, and nuthatches.
- Safflower Seeds: Safflower seeds will attract cardinals, finches, blue jays, woodpeckers, and nuthatches, and it has a bit of a bitter taste that squirrels and other mammals don’t like.
- Suet: Suet is a type of food made of beef fat and is often used in baking. Suet cakes make great bird food. It is especially attractive to woodpeckers, jays, chickadees, and titmice.
- Nyjer: Nyjer is a high-energy, tiny seed that attracts smaller birds such as finches, Heaths, purple finches, and American goldfinches.
- Fruit: Apples, oranges, raisins, and other pieces of fresh, frozen, or dried fruit can be used to attract a variety of birds.
Not everyone loves birds – but they are beneficial for the garden and your local ecosystem. Making a DIY bird feeder is an easy, fun way to attract more birds to your backyard. Be sure to choose the right type of seeds or feed for the type of birds you’d like to attract.
5.Common Materials to Use in a Bird Feeder
This project is a great opportunity to get your family involved to make your own bird feeder! You can use a variety of materials to make your feeder, depending on what you have available and the look you’re going for. Here are five materials to consider adding to your project:
- Wood: A classic for bird feeders, wood can be painted, carved, or stained to create a variety of looks.
- Tin Cans: Tin cans are a great way to recycle cans while making a bird feeder. Even decorative soup cans can be converted into feeders.
- Plastic Bottles: Reuse plastic water or soda bottles to create sturdy and colorful feeders.
- PVC Pipe: Durable and easy to find in any plumbing supply store, PVC Pipe is a great material to use for a bird feeder.
- Pinecones: For a more natural look, gather pinecones from your yard or park to make a unique bird feeder.
When you can browse through these materials to pick the items that will go best with your bird feeder. With a bit of creativity, you and your family can easily create your own DIY bird feeder.
6.Tips for Keeping Your Bird Feeders in Good Condition
1. Maintain Cleanliness
To keep your DIY bird feeders in tip-top condition, regular cleaning is an absolute must! Perch and feeder should be emptied of old feed daily, and rinsed with clean water. Then, refill the feeder with fresh birdseed. This will keep your feathered friends healthy and safe.
2. Inspect Bird Feeders Regularly
Rough weather can be hard on your bird feeders, so it’s important to give them regular inspections. Check the feeder for loose, broken, or missing parts. Make sure that the roof is intact and securely fastened, and that the base remains sturdy with no cracks or gaping holes. If necessary, make any necessary repairs before your feathery friends come back for a snack.
3. Position Bird Feeders Carefully
To help keep your feeders in great condition, you must also think carefully about where you are going to place them. Mount as high up as possible to keep cats and other predators away. Also, be sure to keep bird feeders away from trees and bushes, which can facilitate the spread of disease.
4. Protect Bird Feeders from Pirates
No, we don’t mean actual pirates: we’re talking real birds that swoop in and steal seed! To reduce seed pilfering, position your bird feeders away from any trees or shrubs that could conceal other birds. If necessary, place a reflective disk nearby to scare off the sneaky thieves.
5. Deter Rats from Bird Feeders
Unfortunately, birds aren’t the only ones who are attracted to bird feeders – rats often try to abscond with the tasty treats, too! To discourage rats from visiting, scatter cayenne pepper on and around the feeder. This safe, natural repellent won’t cause any harm to the birds, but will keep rodents away.
6. Keep Bird Feeders Secure
It’s also important to ensure that your feeder is secure. If you live in areas prone to strong winds, use extra long screws to securely fasten the feeder to the mounting pole. For added protection, you can also tie a loop of rope around the bottom of the bird feeder and fasten it to the pole. This way, whatever the wind might blow, your feeder will stay put!
7.How to Make DIY Bird Feeders a Fun Family Project
Making Your Own Bird Feeder: Making your own bird feeder is a great way to get the whole family involved in a fun DIY project. Here are some simple steps to get you started.
- Gather materials. The materials you’ll need may vary based on what type of bird feeder you decide to make. Simple bird feeders can be made from items such as mason jars or pinecones. More complicated bird feeders may require wood, screws, paint, and other materials.
- Design your feeder. This is the fun part! Let everyone in the family pick their own colors, patterns, and ingredients. Have an idea of the shape and size you’d like the feeder to be, and use the materials to create it.
- Assemble the feeder. Once you have the materials, have everyone pitch in to assemble the feeder. If you are making a wood bird feeder, be sure to use a drill or screws to attach the pieces together.
- Decorate the feeder. Now, let everyone’s creativity shine! Use paint, glitter, ribbons, and other decor to make the bird feeder look its best.
- Fill the feeder. The last step is to fill the bird feeder with birdseed. You can find ready-made birdseed mixes, or make one of your own.
- Hang it up. Hang your bird feeder in a tree outside, or near a window so everyone in the family can watch the birds come to feed.
Making a bird feeder is a great way for families to work together on a fun, creative project. You can leave the bird feeder hanging all year long for your family to enjoy. Get creative with your bird feeder and make sure to hang it up, so all your feathered friends can take advantage of your hard work! Whether you opt for a store-bought feeder or take on a crafty DIY project, you’re sure to have an enjoyable time with your family creating a bird feeder. You and your family may be reaping the rewards of your bird feeder for years to come. With the right materials and a bit of persistence, you can easily create a fun and functional feeder for your feathered friends.