Bird feeders for every taste: 10 easy DIY bird feeder ideas

Interesting ideas

Winter is the most challenging time for birds. They struggle to find food under the thick snow, and the meager berries left on the branches aren't enough to provide a full diet. Simple homemade bird feeders can make life easier for birds and help maintain their population throughout the winter. These 10 interesting and simple ideas will help you create a bird "dining room" using household materials.

Making a bird feeder

Many children built bird feeders with their parents as children, then watched as they eagerly pecked at the seeds they'd poured into them. Time has passed, generations have changed, and now grown children are inspiring their children to create these essential bird feeders. Feeding animals doesn't require expensive items. You can make a bird feeder yourself using materials found in a pantry or shed.

From a 5-liter plastic bottle

Almost every family has a large bottled water container on their balcony or other out-of-the-way spot. It can be used to make a spacious bird feeder. To make it, you'll need a plastic container and some twine for hanging it on a tree or window. Depending on the bottle's shape, it can be hung vertically or horizontally. Windows are cut into the sides by slitting the material along the edges and bottom. The plastic is folded upward, creating a rainscreen. The cuts are covered with electrical tape or duct tape, as they are sharp and can injure birds. All that's left to do is make holes for the twine and hang the bird feeder on a tree.

From 2 liters

Plastic bottles have long been a staple in households. Craftsmen couldn't ignore such a common material. To make a bird feeder, you'll need a 2-liter container, some rope, and a sharp knife. Due to its elongated shape, it's made horizontally. Rectangular holes are cut in two diametrically opposite places. The top can be left alone to create a kind of canopy. String the rope to attach it to a branch.

We use a tin can

Leftover paint containers from renovations make excellent "dining areas" for birds. You'll need tin cans, a wooden stick, and wide ribbon. Here's how to make them:

The containers are cleaned of paint and sharp edges are treated to prevent birds from getting hurt.
They paint the jars in bright colours.
Once the surface is dry, a wooden perch is attached to the bottom. It is secured with hot glue or screwed in place with thin wire.
The jar is tied with a wide ribbon and hung outside.

A pack of juice

A convenient feeder is a cardboard sap container. Its shape allows it to be hung from a tree or window. Simply cut one or more windows on the sides of the container. The cut-out elements can be removed completely or folded upward, creating canopies that protect the feed from precipitation. Thread twine through the holes in the sides of the container for hanging outdoors.

For your information!

Regardless of the feeder's design, a small piece of fresh lard can be attached to a stiff wire next to it. As an animal food, lard is consumed primarily by insectivorous and omnivorous birds.

Plastic canister

A bird feeder made from a canister is a simple and effective solution, especially for beginners. Rigid plastic holds its shape well, is weather-resistant, and easy to work with. Begin by inspecting the canister, assessing the optimal position based on its shape. Holes are cut on the selected sides. To prevent sharp edges, they are melted with fire. It's best to attach the feeder to the tree with wire.

We make it from a tin can

When buying canned food, you can also take care of your birds. To make a bird feeder, you'll need a tin container, a wooden stick, some twine, and a can opener. Here's how:

When opening a jar, cut the lid only halfway across. After removing the contents, cut the bottom in the same manner.
The container is thoroughly washed and dried.
The cut-out pieces are folded inward. They are pressed down to eliminate gaps where food could get trapped.
Holes are made in the ends, and a perch is threaded through them. It is made from a pine block or a thin twig.
Two holes are punched in the upper part to attach the rope.

Made of glass

A 1- or 2-liter glass container filled with feed is a true lifesaver for birds. All you need is a jar and a plastic lid. Cut a hole in the lid 2 cm smaller than the diameter of the neck. Close the lid, tie it tightly in two places with twine, fill it with seed, and hang it from a tree. This design is weatherproof, keeping out rain and wind, and preventing larger birds from stealing food from smaller ones.

Jars and logs

A unique design can be created by combining glass and wood. A jar is used to store the seeds. Log cuts serve as the base and roof of the structure. Although the feeder will look natural in the garden, it requires carpentry tools and basic woodworking skills. Here are the manufacturing steps.

Two 8-10 cm thick sections are cut from a 25-30 cm diameter log. A chisel is used to make grooves in the base blank to allow the grains to fall through. The edges of the top section are trimmed to form the roof.
Three or four holes are drilled in the blanks to thread the rope through.
An inverted jar filled with grain is placed in the center of the base, and its lid is pressed down on top.
All parts are tied with rope and hung outside.

Glass bottle bird feeder

A simple structure can be made from a glass bottle. It's best to use a wine or champagne bottle. The larger capacity will allow you to refill it less frequently. The bottle is secured to a wooden base made from planks or plywood. To protect it from precipitation, paint the frame with oil paint. Place a plastic tray underneath the bottle to collect the food.

Plywood and beams

Lumber can be purchased at any hardware store, and making a wooden bird feeder is fun for both children and adults. The process takes considerably longer, but with some woodworking experience, a piece of plywood can create a very interesting birdhouse.

For your information!

The design of the feeder will depend on the master’s imagination, his capabilities and the availability of tools.

Making a bird feeder can be a wonderful family weekend activity. Don't forget that the final step is placing the feeder in the garden or outside your window. Filling it with food can be a truly sacred experience. And, of course, words cannot describe the joy and happiness you'll feel when the birds start flocking to it.