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16 DIY Bird Feeders You Can Make in an Afternoon
These handmade ideas are strictly for the birds (and maybe the rogue squirrel).
If you've got your garden in tip-top shape for the season, with plenty of flowers blooming and lots of bees and butterflies visiting all the flowers, then you might want to turn your attention to attracting one more kind of beneficial winged creature: birds.
Birds do all kinds of great things for a garden: Insect-eating birds can provide some pest control. And seed-eating birds, which will prefer fallen seeds to ones that you've carefully buried, can cut down on the weeds you'll have to pull. But mostly birds bring color and song to a back garden. And they're fun to watch!
One of the best ways to attract birds to a yard is by making the space habitable, including maintaining a birdbath and providing some food via a bird feeder. While you could buy a bird feeder, it's much more fun (not to mention less expensive) to simply make one.
So pull out your glue gun, grab some nuts and seeds, and get to DIY-ing with these ideas. You can follow one of these specific DIY how-tos step-by-step, or you can use any or all of them to inspire your own creation. Happy bird-watching!
More great birding stories from Country Living:
Pine Cone Bird Feeders
Grab your binoculars: These pine cone feeders will bring all the birds to your yard! Let the fluttering begin.
To make: Wrap a length of string around the top stem of the pine cone. Fill the opening of the pine cone with peanut butter then roll the whole pine cone in bird seed. Hang outside from a tree branch. Remove and refill as needed.
Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Crafter extraordinaire Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised worked with Country Living to create this super colorful bird feeder made from an empty milk carton. Kids will love helping out with this project!
To make: Cut a house-shaped hole in one of the large panels of an empty half-gallon paper milk carton. Paint carton with craft paint. Once dry, add details using washi tape. To create a perch, poke a hole just below the opening, and insert a painted wooden dowel; glue in place. Cut 10 rainbow craft sticks to size; glue onto slope to create shingles. Add a cardstock paper eave above the opening; glue in place. Glue twine under the top of the carton, and tie together to hang. Fill opening with birdseed.
Branch Bird Feeder
Transform a fallen branch into a feeder where birds can come to have a quick snack.
To make: Screw a screw eye bolt into the top of the branch for hanging. Drill holes in a branch using a spade bit. Fill holes with peanut butter then bird seed. Thread a length of rope through the bolt and hang. Refill as needed.
Dinnerware Bird Feeder
Melamine is the perfect material to make this cute and colorful bird feeder from because you don't have to worry about it breaking.
Colorful Bird Feeder
This adorable, springy craft doesn't require any real tools at all (save for glue and paint), and you can customize the colors however you like.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
Cookie Cutter Bird Seed Feeders
A bird feeder that's toddler-friendly, this craft can be adapted for any size or shape of cookie cutter, and hardens overnight.
Get the tutorial at Mama.Papa.Bubba.
Wine Bottle Bird Feeder
Have an empty wine bottle at home? Turn it into a bird feeder! All you need is some wood, a few tools, the bottle, to make this charming home.
Get the tutorial at Momma Young at Home.
Hanging Wine Bottle Bird Feeder
Here's a slightly different design that makes use of the wine bottle, but it's a hanging bird feeder! The resting pedestal design also makes it a little easier to remove and refill the bottle, which we like.
Get the tutorial at Rogue Engineer.
Soda Bottle Bird Feeder
Empty soda bottles can pile up quickly. Instead of sending them to a landfill, recycle them while simultaneously perking up your garden.
Get the tutorial at Here Comes the Sun.
Tea Cup Bird Feeder
Ring in spring with an ode to tea time. Even if you don't have a green thumb, your garden will look better than ever thanks to this elegant craft.
Get the tutorial at Practically Functional.
Tea Cup Candle Sconce Bird Feeder
All of the supplies you need for this feeder can be found at the dollar store.
Get the tutorial at DIY Show Off.
Bird and Butterfly Water Feeder
While this bird feeder won't feed your flying friends, it will keep them (and butterflies!) hydrated.
Get the tutorial at Empress of Dirt.
Dinnerware Bird Feeder
This clever bird feeder, made from a bowl and a plate, costs less than $8 to assemble.
Get the tutorial at Erin's Creative Energy.
Acorn Bird Feeder
How cute is this acorn-shaped feeder? It's the perfect way to add some personality to your porch.
Get the tutorial at Tried and True.
Pine Cone Bird Feeders
Bird feeders aren't just for the spring. In the fall, pairing pine cones with peanut butter and seeds makes for a quick and fun feeder the whole family can make together.
Get the tutorial at Freebie Finding Mom.
Glass Shade Bird Feeder
This budget-friendly project takes under 10 minutes to pull off, adding a decorative modern touch to your yard.
Get the tutorial at The Art of Doing Stuff.
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