How to Build a Bird Feeder

Want to make your own bird feeder?  There are countless types of feeders you can construct, and some of them use unassuming materials.  They are also easy to make, so get your children involved as well! Here are a few of our favorite ideas on how to build a bird feeder:

Drink milk

An empty milk jug can be turned into a feeder in no time at all.  You will need:

½ gallon milk carton (other bottles can work as well)

String

Scissors

Bird food

First, cut out large windows on all four sides of the milk carton, leaving two inch margins on both the top and bottom. (If you want to make a decorative feeder, color with crayons.)

Next, poke two holes through the top of the carton.  Tie the strong through each hole, making a loop.

Finally, fill the feeder with bird seed and hang from a pole or tree.

Enjoy!

Pinecones 'a plenty

One sure way to attract birds is with a pinecone feeder.  You will need:

Pinecones

Suet or peanut butter

Spoon

String

Bird seed

Pie tin or paper plate   

First, tie a string around the pinecone and make a loop.

Next, spread the suet or peanut onto the pinecone, covering it thoroughly.

Place the covered pinecone on the pie tin, and cover with bird seed.

Last, hang your bird feeder from a tree or pole.

Enjoy!

Get it online

There are numerous free bird feeder plans online.  If you are looking to make a feeder that is a little more complex, look for bird feeder kits and other helpful resources. 

You scream, I scream, we all scream for bird seed

If you have made a bird feeder and don't know what kind of food to put in it, here are some of the more popular types available:

Suet is a high energy food made of hard fat.  Suet cakes are inexpensive to buy, and woodpeckers and starlings love them.

Bird seed can be made up of a mix of corn, millet, milo, safflower, and sunflower seeds. Cardinals like safflower, while chickadees like sunflowers.

Fruit and fruit seeds are tasty treats for birds.  Raisins soaked in water attract mockingbirds and catbirds.  Diced fruit, such as apples or melons, works well too.  If you want to attract orioles, try orange halves.

Nuts, particularly peanuts, draw a big crowd.  Cardinals, blue jays, starlings, and sparrows all enjoy peanuts.  Try mixing them in with bird seed.

More information on  bird feeders