Introduction
Want to teach your kids empathy, or do something simple to give back to nature? A DIY bird feeder is the perfect choice.
In 2020, thousands of migratory songbirds were found dead across the southwestern U.S., starved from a lack of food. This tragic event was a wake-up call: even resilient birds need our help.
Your small DIY bird feeder can save birds from hunger, attract more wildlife to your backyard, and spark a love for nature in your family. Best of all, it doesn't take much, just a few household items and a little creativity. In this article, we'll show you step by step how to make a simple, kid-friendly bird feeder that anyone can try at home.
How to Make a Simple DIY Bird Feeder: 4 Easy Ideas for Kids
Making a DIY birdfeeder is a wonderful activity for you and your children. It's a great hands-on project that connects them with the natural world. Kids learn about local birds and the importance of caring for them.
Here are some easy and exciting ideas for your next family activity. Always provide adult supervision for a safe and fun experience.
DIY Activity 1: Plastic Bottle Feeder ($6 to $10 Activity)
The plastic bottle feeder is a classic project for many reasons. This easy activity is a great way to teach your children about the importance of recycling and sustainability. In the U.S. alone, people discard over 35 billion plastic bottles each year. Turning one into a feeder gives it a brand-new purpose and a great way to help the environment.
DIY plastic bottle bird feeder wrapped in colorful twine, providing an eco-friendly way to feed backyard birds in the United States
What You'll Need
- One clean plastic bottle
- Two wooden spoons
- Regular hemp rope (for hanging the feeder)
- Scissors
- Birdseed
- Your favorite decorations
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Make a small hole on one side of the bottle, about a third of the way up. Make a second hole directly across from the first one.
- Step 2: Repeat the process with a second set of holes, positioned a few inches below the first set and perpendicular to the first pair.
- Step 3: Slide the wooden spoons through the holes. These spoons will act as perches.
- Step 4: Wrap a long piece of twine firmly around the bottle in the narrow groove directly beneath the cap. Tie the ends together to form a loop for hanging.
- Step 5: Fill the bottle with birdseed. The seed will spill out onto the spoons, ready for the birds to enjoy. You can also decorate the bottle however you like.
DIY Activity 2: Pinecone Feeder ($5 to $10 Activity)
Pinecones are usually famous for their role in nature's seed dispersal and deforestation. They can also bring all the flutters and cheerful chirps of local birds to your garden. Try this simple project with your kids next weekend.
What You'll Need
- Pinecones or sticks
- String
- A butter knife
- Peanut butter
- Squirrel-proof birdseed
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Tie a piece of string around the top of a pinecone.
- Step 2: Use a butter knife to spread a thick layer of peanut butter all over the pinecone.
- Step 3: Roll the pinecone in a tray of birdseed until it is completely covered.
- Step 4: Hang the feeder from a branch in your yard for the birds to enjoy.
DIY Activity 3: Pumpkin Feeder ($8 to $15 Activity)
With Halloween approaching, it's time to give your backyard or garden a fun decoration upgrade. You can turn the pumpkin into a bird feeder. This will add a festive touch to your yard while also giving birds a special seasonal treat. Pumpkins are packed with vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and fiber, which help support strong immunity and healthy feathers. The seeds are also rich in protein and beneficial fats, making them an energy-boosting snack for migrating and overwintering birds.
DIY pumpkin bird feeder offering a festive treat for backyard birds in the U.S., filled with birdseed and pumpkin seeds.
What You'll Need
- A small pumpkin
- knife
- spoon (to hollow out the pumpkin)
- Twine
- Two wooden branches
- Birdseed
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: First, slice the top off your pumpkin and use a spoon to scoop out all the pulp and seeds.
- Step 2: Next, use a knife to create four holes around the middle of the pumpkin, two on opposite sides forming a pair, and then another pair perpendicular to the first.
- Step 3: Slide two sturdy wooden branches through these holes. These will serve as perches for the birds.
- Step 4: Tie a long piece of twine to each end of the two branches, then bring the four ends of the twine together above the pumpkin and tie them into a loop for hanging.
- Step 5: Fill the hollow pumpkin with birdseed (and don't forget to add the pumpkin seeds you scooped out earlier—they're a nutritious bonus that many birds love).
- Step 6: Hang your new feeder outside for the birds to enjoy.
DIY Activity 4: Milk Carton Feeder ($7 to $15 Activity)
A simple milk carton can be a cozy new home for birds, rather than being thrown away. Creating a feeder is also a fun way to teach children about recycling. The activity also allows them to express their creativity by decorating the carton with different colors.
What You'll Need
- One clean, dry milk carton
- Scissors
- Two wooden dowels or sticks (for perches)
- Paint and brushes
- Birdseed
- Your favorite decorative items (e.g., buttons, beads, glitter, natural materials)
- Strong string or twine for hanging
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Step 1: First, rinse and dry the carton thoroughly.
- Step 2: Cut large openings (windows) on the sides of the milk carton for the birds to enter and access the seed.
- Step 3: Make four small holes on the sides of the carton (two on opposite sides for one dowel, and another two on the remaining opposite sides for the second dowel), then insert the two wooden dowels or sticks through these holes. These will serve as perches for the birds.
- Step 4: Get creative and paint the outside of your feeder. Then, decorate the milk carton using your favorite decorative items.
- Step 5: Make a hole in the top, thread a string through, and fill with birdseed.
Advanced DIY Bird Feeder Ideas for Adults
Beyond the joy of spotting colorful birds, there are real mental health benefits to bird watching. Don't miss out on the chance to connect with nature and create something beautiful for your backyard. Below are some ideas for more durable and creative feeders for adults that will look great in your garden.
DIY Activity 1: Wooden Bird Feeder ($15 to $25 Activity)
If you plan to dedicate your next Sunday to a woodworking project, consider making a wooden bird feeder. It's a rewarding build that can last for years in your yard. You don't need much, just some basic woodworking tools and simple materials.
DIY wooden bird feeder with a durable roof, hanging in a backyard, attracting sparrows, blue tits, and cardinals
What You'll Need
- Wood planks
- Hand saw
- A drill
- Screws
- Wood glue
- Eye hooks
- Twine for hanging
- Birdseed
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Cut the planks to create a flat base, four side panels, and two angled roof pieces.
- Step 2: Assemble the base and side panels using screws and wood glue, creating a shallow tray for the food.
- Step 3: Attach two roof pieces to the top at an angle.
- Step 4: Drill a few small drainage holes in the base to prevent water from collecting.
- Step 5: Install two small eye hooks at the top of the roof, thread a strong rope through them, tie the ends securely, and hang the feeder. Then, fill the tray with birdseed.
DIY Activity 2: Recycled Can Feeder ($15 to $25 Activity)
Give your backyard a modern upgrade with a DIY bird feeder made from recycled tin cans. With this project, you can transform a pile of empty cans into a functional and stylish piece of outdoor decoration. This also provides a unique feeding station for local birds.
What You'll Need
- A few clean, empty cans
- A wooden backboard
- A drill
- Screws
- Glue
- A few wooden spoons
-
Birdseed
- Paint or other decorations
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Clean and dry the cans thoroughly. Drill a few small drainage holes along the lowest curved side of each can (when placed horizontally) so rainwater can escape. You can paint or decorate them as you like.
- Step 2: Drill small holes through the back of each can and the wooden backboard.
- Step 3: Attach the cans to the wooden board using screws. You can arrange them in any pattern you like.
- Step 4: Use glue to attach a wooden spoon to the bottom of the can, creating a perch for birds.
- Step 5: Secure the wooden backboard to a fence or wall at a safe height, then fill the cans with birdseed and enjoy watching the birds.
DIY Activity 3: Two-Tier Bird Feeder ( $5 to $10 Activity)
A bird feeder is not just a simple feeding station. It can be a highly artistic piece of ornament for your garden. Use old pans or ceramic dishes around your house to create a beautiful tiered feeder. This can be anything from ceramic pans, metal trays, or old wooden platters.
What You'll Need
-
Two pans or plates of different sizes
- A drill with a metal bit
- A chain or a wire
- Six small S-hooks (to attach chains between tiers)
- One larger S-hook or sturdy loop (for hanging the whole feeder)
- Decorative bird sculptures or stickers
- Birdseed and water
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Drill three equally spaced holes near the rim of both the large and small pans, making sure the holes line up vertically so the tiers hang evenly.
- Step 2: For the bottom tier, cut three pieces of chain, each about 6–8 inches long. Attach one end of each chain to the small pan using S-hooks.
- Step 3: Connect the other ends of these three chains to the larger pan, again using S-hooks or looping the wire through its holes.
- Step 4: For the top tier, cut three longer pieces of chain (about 12-15 inches). Attach one end of each chain to the top pan.
- Step 5: Bring the top ends of these three chains together and connect them to a single S-hook or sturdy loop for hanging.
- Step 6: Fill the tiers with different types of birdseed—or use the top as a seed tray and the bottom as a water dish—for variety.
DIY Activity 4: Wine Bottle Feeder ($15 and $30 Activity)
Finished a bottle of your favorite wine? Don't toss it in the recycling bin just yet. That empty bottle is perfect for a stylish, clever bird feeder. Repurpose the glass bottle and make a gravity-fed feeder that fills itself.
What You'll Need
- A clean wine bottle
- Wood (for the frame and tray)
- Screws (for assembly)
- A metal ring
- Birdseed
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Cut and assemble a simple wooden frame with a small, flat tray at the bottom.
- Step 2: Secure a metal ring or bracket to the frame to hold the bottle in place.
- Step 3: Fill the clean wine bottle with birdseed.
- Step 4: Carefully invert the bottle into the ring, with the neck facing down and resting just above the tray, allowing a small gap for the seed to flow.
DIY Activity 5: Branch Feeder ($5 to $10 Activity)
The next time a branch falls in your yard, don’t throw it away. Instead, give this fallen natural material a new purpose by transforming it into a beautiful and rustic feeder for birds. This DIY project is a wonderful way to offer sustenance to your feathered friends while enhancing the natural beauty of your backyard.
What You'll Need
- A sturdy branch (from a fallen tree works best)
- A drill (with a suitable drill bit for making holes)
- Strong twine or rope for hanging
- Birdseed (optional)
- Peanut butter or Crisco
- A butter knife (to coat the branch for extra seed)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Find a sturdy branch that is stable and can maintain its shape. A naturally fallen branch from a tree is perfect.
- Step 2: Use a drill to make several holes along the length of the branch. Ensure the holes are deep enough to hold a good amount of birdseed.
- Step 3: Fill each of the drilled holes with birdseed (If desired, you can first spread peanut butter or Crisco around the holes or along the branch, then roll it in birdseed to make more seeds stick.)
- Step 4: Tie a strong piece of twine or rope securely around both ends of the branch.
- Step 5: Hang your new branch feeder from a tree branch in your yard, allowing birds easy access to the food.
Top 4 Bird Feeder Foods That Attract More Birds
Building a bird feeder is just the first step in attracting birds to your yard. To attract a diverse range of birds to your backyard, you need to provide them with the right food. Different types of birds are drawn to different seeds and snacks. Here is a quick guide on what to put in your feeder.
1. Seeds: The #1 Bird Feeder Essentia
Seeds are a versatile food source. Sunflower, safflower, and cracked corn are all highly nutritious and high in energy. They are small enough for most common birdfeeder species to crack open. If you can only offer one food, choose black oil sunflower. For a convenient all-in-one option, try PeckPerk Bird Seed, designed to attract a wide variety of backyard birds and formulated with a squirrel-resistant blend.
Photo by Aaron J Hill on Pexels
2. Nectar: A Hummingbird Favorite
Nectar is a perfect substitute for the nectar hummingbirds consume. Orioles and woodpeckers will also feed on it. You can make it by simply mixing and boiling four parts of water and one part of sugar.
3. Fruit: Sweet Treats for Birds
Fruit can be a great addition to your feeder. Many birds eat fruit, including thrushes (robins, bluebirds), tanagers, orioles, jays, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, waxwings, catbirds, and grosbeaks. These birds, known as frugivores, enjoy a diverse range of fruits and berries.
Photo by Daniel Restrepo Londoño on Unsplash
4. Suet: High-Energy Food for Winter Birds
Suet is a high-energy, high-fat food made from rendered animal fat, usually beef or mutton. It is mixed with other ingredients, such as seeds, grains, and insects. This popular year-round food is particularly beneficial in winter for providing birds with extra energy and heat.
Photo by fr0ggy5 on Unsplash
Final Thoughts on DIY Bird Feeders
There is no joy greater than having a garden full of life and happy birds. No need to wonder how to make a simple DIY bird feeder. We have compiled a list of some of the most creative projects.
As you get started, remember to clean and maintain your feeder on a regular basis. You should wash them at least every two to three weeks to prevent contaminants that can make birds sick.
And if you’d like to take your birdwatching to the next level, consider trying a smart bird feeder — it offers a closer view of your feathered visitors without the extra effort.
Smart bird feeder attracting backyard birds like sparrows and blue tits.
FAQs About the DIY Bird Feeder
What is the best material to make a bird feeder?
The best material is something that is both durable and easy to clean. Wood is classic and sturdy, but it can eventually deteriorate due to rot. Recycled plastic is a great, long-lasting option that is also very easy to wash. Metal is another good choice, as it is strong and chew-proof, which helps against squirrels.
Where is the best place to hang a bird feeder?
Hang your feeder close to a window (within 3 feet or farther than 30 feet) to prevent bird collisions. The ideal spot is near a tree or bush, giving birds a safe place to land and hide from predators. Avoid placing the feeder in open areas or where a cat could easily ambush them.
How can I keep squirrels and other pests out of my bird feeder?
Keeping squirrels and other pests away from your feeder is a common challenge. You can use a squirrel baffle, which is a cone or dome that prevents them from climbing up. Another popular solution is to use a "hot pepper" birdseed, as birds are not bothered by the spice, but squirrels and other animals find it unpleasant.
What is the easiest homemade bird feeder?
One of the simplest DIY bird feeders can be made with a toilet paper roll or a pine cone smeared with peanut butter and coated with birdseed. Hang it with a string from a tree branch. Another easy option is to hollow out an orange, punch holes in the top, fill it with seeds, and hang it. These quick DIY feeders are great for attracting birds without needing a traditional store-bought feeder.
How to feed birds without a traditional feeder?
Even without a standard feeder, you can attract birds to your backyard. Nectar-rich flowers like bee balm, salvia, and lupine attract hummingbirds. Seed-bearing blooms such as coneflowers and cosmos bring in finches, sparrows, doves, and quail. You can also scatter seeds directly on the ground or use simple DIY feeders to provide food. These alternatives help create a bird-friendly backyard ecosystem.
How often should I refill a backyard bird feeder?
Refill your feeder depending on bird activity and season. During busy periods or in winter, daily refills keep food fresh, while in quieter seasons, every few days is usually enough. Always keep feeders clean to maintain a healthy environment for backyard birds.
What is the 5-7-9 rule for bird feeders?
The 5-7-9 rule is a guideline to deter squirrels. Place the feeder 5 feet off the ground, at least 7 feet away from any structures, and 9 feet from overhanging branches, roofs, or wires. This positioning takes advantage of a squirrel's jumping limits, keeping them from reaching the feeder.
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