There are many great birdfeeders out on the market, but they all do the same job. As long as you have some enticing food for the birds, they’ll be interested no matter what the structure is.
This means that making your own DIY birdfeeder is a great idea. Not only can you make something yourself, but most of them are very easy to create. Here are 10 DIY birdfeeders you could make today.
1. Peanut Covered Pinecone
Source: Yellow Table Studio
This is the simplest but perhaps one of the best ways to feed wild birds. All you need to do is find a pinecone and add a bit of string. Birds love peanut butter, so you can slather it all over the pinecone and then add your own little treats.
One of the best aspects of this is that it’s easy for kids to do and easily replaceable. Onto the peanut butter you can add your seeds or anything else they might like. Ideally, you’ll want to place it near twigs, so they have something to perch on.
2. A Cup for the Birds
Placing a cup out for the birds is a classic solution. In the solution pictured, the cup is simply hung from a carabiner. A mixture of suet/lard has been mixed in with seeds to give them a delicious meal. A stick has then been poked through to give them something to perch on, making it great for birdwatching.
An alternative solution is gluing a teacup to a saucer. The saucer allows them to perch, and it also gives it a base, so you don’t have to use fat to create your bird feed. You can then use string to tie it up to your tree.
3. Log Feeding House
Another imaginative solution is creating a cozy log feeding house for them. This is great for small birds, and there are several ways you can do it. One way is using an empty can to store your feed and then glue your wooden sticks around it, with a bigger stick at the bottom for perching.
You can replace the can with any type of hollow structure and follow the same principle. Just make sure there are no sharp edges that may cut the birds. If you are feeling ambitious, you can create a stick tunnel without any inside support with some intricate and patient gluing skills.
4. Drilled Out Log
Here is another great way to use nature to your advantage. This is especially a great idea if you have any branches that you need to cut down. All you need to do here is drill holes into the food and then fill them with a peanut butter and seed mixture.
If you don’t have a fancy drill, then you can cut out your own holes with other tools, such as a chisel. This is a great way to repurpose nature. You can then hang up your log with strings and wait for the birds to be interested.
5. Simple Paper Cups
Another simple solution is using paper cups. These aren’t likely to last for too long, especially if you’ve had some rain, but they can be easily replaced. It may be worth stuffing something in the bottom, so you don’t use up too much bird feed.
Kids will love making these, as they can even create their own patterns on the paper cups and have competitions to see which one gets the most attention. A simple stick through the top completes this DIY feeder by giving them a great perch.
6. Hollowed Out Fruit
This is another solution that won’t last too long but can be a whole lot of fun. The premise here is simple. Hollow out some fruit, hang it up, and then place your food inside. The birds will be attracted to both the fruit and the seeds.
The exact fruit you can use can vary. While coconuts are pictured here, you could use pineapple, melon, or apples. You can even repurpose your pumpkin after Halloween so it doesn’t go to waste.
7. Used Carton Feeders
Have you just finished a carton of juice or a bottle of milk? If so, grab it out of the trash and make a DIY bird feeder. This is another way to get creative with the kids as they’ll love being able to come up with their own creations.
The method for this cannot be simpler. All you need to do is cut off the front, leaving enough space to put down a good amount of bird feed. Make sure you don’t leave any sharp edges, and then hang it up from the top.
8. Unwanted Dish Feeder
Do you have any unwanted dishes around the house that you’ve not used in years? How about that snack plate or punch bowl that has become outdated? If so, spark your imagination and make them into a bird feeder, just make sure to pick the right foods.
Some strong glue can connect them together and you’ll soon have a safe place where birds can feed. Instead of your old things gathering dust in the cupboards, they can be used to bring some nature to your garden.
9. Simple Cardboard Roll Feeder
Whether it’s from paper towels or toilet paper, households go through a lot of cardboard tubes per year. They can often be repurposed for creative ideas, and one such way is to make a birdfeeder.
With this idea, you can smother it in peanut butter and then stick various seeds to it. Put a stick through it near the bottom, and you’re done. You can even make a chain of them and get quirky with your designs.
10. Homemade Bird Feeder
Our last method is to just build your own birdhouse! They are quite simple structures, and if you’re just getting into DIY or have a child interested in woodworking, this could be a great project for them.
As long as you have somewhere to store the bird feed and a place for them to perch, you’ve done a great job. A few old cuts of wood and some glue or nails are all you’ll need. Many people think it’s immoral to have a pet bird, so this is a great way to watch wild birds in action.
