13 Creative DIY Bird Feeder Ideas to Attract Birds to Your Yard

Watching colorful birds visiting your yard is an enjoyable way to connect with nature. However, you need to attract birds before you can enjoy watching them. One of the best ways to draw birds to your outdoor space is by installing bird feeders. With a well-designed feeder filled with tasty treats, you’ll have happy birds flocking to your yard in no time.

You can buy commercial bird feeders, but it’s often more fun and rewarding to build your own. We’ve gathered 13 creative DIY bird feeder projects that you can easily make using common household items With a little bit of craftiness and imagination, you can construct a custom feeder that becomes a charming garden focal point

1. Plastic Bottle Feeder

One of the simplest feeders to construct is a recycled plastic bottle feeder. All you need is an empty plastic bottle, some twine or wire, a drill, and wooden spoons. Remove the bottle cap and drill 1-2 holes on opposite sides of the bottle near the bottom. Insert a wooden spoon through each hole halfway so birds have a place to perch.

Fill the bottle with birdseed, replace the cap, and hang it upside down from a tree branch by the neck. As birds feed from the spoons, more seed will spill out of the holes to replenish the supply. You can decorate the plastic bottle with paint or markers to add a pop of color.

2. Pinecone Feeder

Pinecones make handy all-natural bird feeders. Start by coating a pinecone thoroughly with peanut butter or lard. Roll it in birdseed until the seed adheres to the sticky coating. Tie a piece of twine or string around the top and hang the pinecone from a tree. Alternatively, set it on a flat surface like a fence rail or deck railing.

The crevices between the pinecone petals will capture seeds, while the peanut butter or lard helps the seeds stick. When the seeds get low, just coat and roll the pinecone again to replenish the supply. Dried orange slices threaded onto skewers also make simple fruit feeders to hang in trees.

3. Tea Cup Feeder

Upcycle pretty vintage tea cups into charming bird feeders. Flip a cup over and use hot glue to adhere a saucer on top, forming an enclosed space. Glue a bamboo skewer along the cup’s handle as a perch. Fill the cup with birdseed and hang outdoors using rope or string.

Painting the tea cups adds nice pops of color. For an even easier version, skip the saucer topper and just hang cups filled with seed. Small birds like finches can dine at the open cups.

4. Mason Jar Feeder

Mason jars make handy see-through feeders so you can monitor seed levels. Clean and dry a jar thoroughly before using. For a hanging version, use a drill to bore 2 holes near the mouth of the jar. Thread wire or rope through the holes and suspend the jar from a sturdy branch. Fill the jar with birdseed and screw on the band and lid.

For a mounted feeder, use waterproof wood glue to affix the jar horizontally on a wooden board or plank. Leave the jar band off and just place the perforated lid loosely on top for easy refilling access. Apply glue around the jar’s rim to hold the lid in place.

5. Milk Carton Feeder

Left over milk and juice cartons can be repurposed into cute bird feeders. Rinse cartons thoroughly and let them dry. Trim off the top spout and handle with scissors. On 2 opposite sides, cut out large openings just below the top edge for birds to access the seeds.

Decorate the cartons with acrylic paint, markers, or stickers if desired. Add a few twig perches across the openings using hot glue. Fill the cartons with seeds, replace the cap, and hang them from branches or hooks. Place the cartons on their sides for easiest access.

6. Wreath Feeder

Craft an easy wreath feeder from a wire coat hanger. Untwist the hanger and bend it into a circle, leaving a few inches of wire at the ends. Twist the ends together to complete the ring. Form the leftover wire into a hanging loop at the top.

Wind twine, yarn, or raffia around the ring until it’s fully covered. Brush the wreath with melted suet or peanut butter and roll in birdseed to coat it thoroughly. Hang outdoors and watch birds cling to it while feeding.

7. Log Feeder

A hollowed log makes a charming rustic feeder that blends into nature. Look for a weathered section of tree trunk or large branch that’s at least 12 inches long. Using a chisel or drill, hollow out a cavity along its length. Drill a few drainage holes in the bottom.

Saw a groove near the top to hold hanging wire or rope. Coat the interior with peanut butter and fill the cavity with birdseed. Consider adding berries, raisins, chopped fruit, and other goodies to attract more varieties of birds.

8. Platform Feeder

Platform feeders provide open access ideal for larger bird species. Use 1/4-inch plywood or boards to construct a 6 x 6 x 2 inch box. Cut a 3 x 6 inch door on one side to access the interior. Apply waterproof wood glue and nail all pieces together.

Paint or stain the wood if desired. Mount the feeder on a wall, fence post, or deck railing. Use small roofing nails to add perches underneath. Keep the platform filled with a variety of seeds and suet cakes to appease both small and large birds.

9. Suet Cage

Suet is a high-energy food source enjoyed by woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, and other birds. Make a tailored suet cage feeder to offer this treat in style. Cut the sides from a small wire mesh basket and use pliers to bend them into an open-ended box.

Fill with suet cakes and hang outdoors. You can also fill suet cages with dried fruit, raisins, crushed nuts, and other goodies. Use multiple suet feeders around your yard to support more birds.

10. Bottle & Bowl Feeder

Plastic bowls make handy bird feeder trays when paired with recycled bottles. Clean and dry plastic bowls and bottles. Make a few drainage holes in the bowl’s bottom with a drill. Remove the bottle’s cap and firmly attach the bowl’s base to the bottle mouth using hot glue.

Fill the bottle with seeds and invert it so the bowl hangs below. The bowl catches overflow seeds. Hang the bottle from a tree using wire or rope. Refill through the open bottle neck as needed. Use bowls in festive colors to inject cheer into your garden.

11. Balloon Feeder

Whimsical hot air balloon feeders made from cardboard and plastic cups are sure to delight. Cut a 4 x 6 inch rectangle from corrugated cardboard for the balloon portion. Wrap the cardboard around a plastic cup so there is a 1-2 inch overlap and glue it in place.

Decorate the “balloon” with markers, paper, or stickers. Poke 3 small holes near the cup rim and thread string through to create hanging loops. Fill the cup with seeds and suspend it from a low branch. Let kids help decorate the balloons for an enjoyable craft project.

12. Cereal Feeder

Transform leftover cereal and treats into DIY bird feeders. Thread Cheerios, Froot Loops, cereal O’s, and hard popcorn onto heavy string using a darning needle or paper clip. Tie the garland from tree branches so birds can nibble the pieces.

Spread cereal bits, crushed crackers, bread chunks, granola, dried corn, and birdseed on trays or platforms to attact ground feeders. Offering a variety of foods will interest more bird species. Just avoid using salted crackers which can dehydrate birds.

13. Fruit Basket Feeder

Convert a metal fruit basket into a hanging feeder. Look for small decorative baskets with handles in thrift stores, craft shops, or dollar stores. Remove any paper liner and give the basket a good cleaning. Use pliers to open the basket’s metal loops slightly so you can add perches.

Insert twigs, chopsticks, or bamboo skewers through the loops for landing spots. Fill the basket with birdseed and pieces of fruit like apples or pears. Use wire to suspend the basket from a tree for an ornamental touch.

With a little creativity and recycling ingenuity, you can craft charming homemade bird feeders that draw wildlife to your garden. Experiment with different materials and designs to discover which DIY feeders work best for your yard. The birds will reward your efforts by putting on a lively show right outside your window.