15 DIY Bird Feeder Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
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A wooden bird feeder is a great way to attract birds to your garden all year round. The birds benefit because they have a reliable source of food, even at times when they would otherwise struggle to find a natural source. You benefit because you get to watch different breeds of birds descend on your garden. You can also enjoy the process of making the feeder, giving you an even greater sense of satisfaction when the birds land and start to feed from your DIY project.
You should always ensure that the birds are free from feline danger when landing at your feeder, and once you start to feed the birds regularly, you must be prepared to keep doing so. Otherwise, they will return looking for food and be left wanting if you haven’t put any out.
Below, we have 15 bird feeder plans that will teach you how to build bird feeders that will look great in your garden.
The 15 DIY Bird Feeder Plans
1. DIY Window Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Miter saw, clamp, wire snip, staple gun, drill |
| Supplies: | 1×2 piece of cedar, exterior wood glue, wax paper, screen, brackets, screws, screw eye, suction cups |
This is a simple design, and, despite some fears, it won’t increase the likelihood of the birds flying into your window. What it will do, though, is enable you to watch the birds as they feed from the simple tray. The proximity to your house means that it is unlikely to attract any natural predators, so your winged visitors will be safe while they eat.
2. DIY Gazebo Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Jigsaw or circular saw, drill, electric brad nailer |
| Supplies: | Plywood, glue, nails, cedar sliding, protractor, threaded pipe, screws |
The gazebo bird feeder is a more luxurious alternative to the window feeder or most DIY feeders. It has 6 sides, all of which are open, and a multi-panel roof that protects it from the elements. Despite being such a large and well-featured birdhouse, it is still surprisingly easy to build.
3. DIY Plexiglass Sides Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Drill |
| Supplies: | Spruce wood (can also use other types of wood like pine or cedar, glue, treated wood screws |
The plexiglass sides of this feeder make it easy for you to see in and determine how much seed is left. The sides are easy to remove, and because they are made from plexiglass, they are flexible and can be bent without breaking too easily.
4. DIY Cedar Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Drill |
| Supplies: | 1 – 1×8 – 8′, wood glue, 1 1/2″ galvanized finishing nails, eye bolt, washer, nut |
Cedarwood is durable, a natural insect repellent, and beautiful-looking wood. This combination and its availability as new and recycled wood make it the perfect choice to make your own feeder. You can adapt any wood bird feeder plans to use cedar, but these plans are designed specifically for use with this type of wood.
5. DIY Pallet Wood Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Drill |
| Supplies: | Pallet wood, wood glue, 1 1/2″ trim nails, spray-on outdoor polyurethane |
It wouldn’t be a DIY list of wooden items if there weren’t at least one reclaimed pallet item on the list. Pallets are heftier than many other pieces of wood, which means that you will make a substantial feeder for your avian visitors, but they will surely appreciate the effort and the extra protection you’ve afforded them.
6. DIY Wine Bottle Bird Feeder
Whether you have leftover wine bottles in your home or you know somebody who can provide you with one, this plan will turn one into an attractive bird feeder for the garden. It is quite easy to make, and the bottle is ideal for holding a decent amount of seed and dispensing it for the birds.
7. DIY Mason Jar Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Supplies: | Mason jar or pasta jar (clean and dry), 1 wooden dowel (approximately ¼ to ½ inch diameter and at least 10 inches long), Jute twine, clear or red pony bead (optional), birdseed, gorilla glue |
All you need to make this mason jar feeder is a mason jar, a wooden dowel, twine, Gorilla Glue, and basic tools. It is perfect for the smaller birds that will fly into the jar to grab the seeds.
8. DIY Bird Bottle Feeder
| Tools: | Power screwdriver, sharp shears or scissors, hole punch, hacksaw |
| Supplies: | 2 6” wood disks and 1 wood ball finial from a craft store, 2 standard Ball jar lids, 1 threaded crown bolt, 2 nuts, spray paint, eye hook |
The plastic bottle feeder may not have the same gravitas as the wine bottle feeder earlier in the list, but it is easier and quicker to make and will do an equally good job of providing for the birds in your garden. The basic parts are the bottle and a couple of wooden spoons in place of a dowel.
9. Simple DIY Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Saw, pocket hole jig, drill, miter saw or miter box |
| Supplies: | Wood, screws |
These simple bird feeder plans can be made using offcuts or leftover wood from another DIY project. Combined with a piece of rope, it is a very easy build, but the birds won’t mind how easy it was to put up.
10. Automatic DIY Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Scissors, cutter |
| Supplies: | For Feeder (1 pc 500 ml. coke and 1 pc 500 ml mountain dew plastic bottle, barbeque stick, candle, wire, marker). For Waterer (1 pc 1 liter zonrox and 1 pc 300 ml coke plastic bottle, candle, wire. For Bird House (2pcs 1 liter zonrox plastic bottle, wire, candle, cable tie |
An automatic bird feeder replenishes the trough or bowl of seed once the birds have emptied it. This collection of automatic feeders uses recycled materials like old plastic bottles, giving a natural lease of life to old and spent products.
11. Reclaimed DIY Fence Bird Feeder
| Tools; | Drill / Driver + assorted bits, 25mm spade bit, Jigsaw, circular saw or handsaw |
| Supplies: | Reclaimed wood pallets, or any reclaimed timber, 4 x 40mm cut screws |
This is another pallet bird feeder, but the plans would work just as well using a reclaimed fence panel, and it is another source of wood that many of us have access to without having to go out and buy them, especially following storms.
12. DIY Teacup Bird Feeder
| Tools; | Cordless drill |
| Supplies: | Teacup and saucer, wooden table leg, spear point bit, wood drill bit, 3 plastic or rubber washers as cushions, 1.5 inch wood screw |
If you have a cracked teacup lying around or one you don’t use anymore, why not turn it into a bird feeder? This works especially well if the cup has a natural design or motif, but it can work with any teacup from your collection.
13. DIY Apple Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Supplies: | 1 apple, birdseed, peanut butter, 1 jute cord, 1 straw |
Creating a homemade bird feeder using an apple is a simple and enjoyable project for kids that involves following a few straightforward steps. With the step-by-step instructions provided, kids can make a charming and functional bird feeder that will entice small birds to their backyard.
14. Gelatin Bird Feeder
| Tools: | Cookie cutters |
| Supplies: | Bird seed mix, gelatine, boiling water, mixing bowl and spoon, tray covered in foil, ribbon |
Making homemade bird feeders is an enjoyable and simple activity for children using just three ingredients and a cookie cutter. These DIY bird feeders for kids can be made in any shape or size using cookie cutters and hung up in the garden with pretty ribbon or given as homemade gifts.
15. DIY Popsicle Feeder
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Supplies: | Popsicle Sticks (Jumbo size work best), twine, craft glue or glue gun, bird Seed (formulated for small birds) |
If you’re seeking an enjoyable, creative activity to take on this summertime, build a rainbow popsicle stick bird feeder! It’s straightforward and calls for jumbo-sized popsicle sticks, twine, craft glue, or a hot glue gun paired with small bird seed. This is the perfect way to add vibrancy and life to your backyard while providing food for our feathered friends.
DIY Bird Feeder Plans
Many items could be turned into bird feeders. Check your shed, look in the kitchen cupboards, and search the trash before buying materials and learning how to build a bird feeder. The birds will certainly appreciate it, and you will benefit not only because bird feeders are gleefully simple to make, but you’ll also be able to watch the birds feed in your garden.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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