Watching birds right in your backyard all year long is not impossible. You can invite them next to your home with these DIY bird feeder ideas.
Easy to recreate with things around the house, the following bird feeders are a combination of hanging, freestanding, or tree-mounted ideas. Get inspired from the options below.
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1. Yogurt Pot Bird Feeder
Easy to recreate, cheap, and most importantly efficient, the yogurt pot bird feeder idea is up for grabs. Choose a transparent yogurt pot to showcase all the seeds and goodies you have in store for your birds and hang it in the backyard to watch them come throughout the year.
2. Spiral Bird Feeder
Hanging bird feeders are some of the easiest DIY projects. In this case, it’s all about creating a spiral-shaped bird feeder with an attached hoop at the end of the thread to keep all of the round cereal in place. Use whatever thread you have lying around the house to recreate it yourself.
3. Orange Bird Feeder
Some of the fun DIY bird feeder ideas those kids can get involved with are as follows: With this suggestion, kids can go all the way and craft their first bird feeder out of the orange peel and a few sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Tie the feeder up on a tree and watch birds come within days. They’ll even go after the orange peel itself.
4. Apple Bird Feeder
Take it up a level and consider repurposing an apple as a DIY bird feeder. Hollow out the inner part of the apple to add the seeds and hang the fruit by a thread by a branch. Look no further than the options you already have at home to create this cheap eco-friendly bird feeder.
5. Mickey Bird Feeder
Cartoon-shaped bird feeders are a bit more imaginative than the average out-of-the-box solution you buy in stores. To recreate this suggestion, use your Mickey-themed cookie shapes. Add the seeds inside and use honey drip to make them stick together. Hang the bird feeder somewhere close to the house to see the birds feeding.
6. Lego Bird Feeder
Have some spare Legos around the house? Why not create a tower-like structure with balconies for seeds to act as a colorful bird feeder? This DIY idea stands the test of time as you can use it for years just by topping up the seeds.
7. Fly Through Bird Feeder
Small house-shaped bird feeders are common in stores. But most aren’t really made with a fly-through approach. This suggestion is all about open space, with just 2 walls and a roof to allow easy escape which makes birds a bit more comfortable and feed freely longer.
8. Owl Bird Feeder
A cool DIY project with a pencil, a piece of paper, and some creativity. This bird feeder is one that doesn’t last too long, so make sure to have a few of them ready. Use a pencil to hold the paper walls up and replace the feeder as soon as it gets drenched when it rains for the first time.
9. Picture Frame Bird Feeder
Not many would think about a picture frame being anything other than a picture frame. But in this case, it becomes a colorful bird feeder that you hang from all 4 corners for stability, even for multiple birds feeding at the same time.
10. Popcorn bird feeder
This feeder won’t last more than a couple of days before being devoured. Popcorn that’s held together by a thread is easy enough to put together. Most importantly, it provides a tasty treat that birds spot quickly.
11. Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Some ideas are just too simple to overlook. Use a pine cone as a bird feeder. Add various seeds and treats and hang them in a high-visibility area. A solution as natural as possible, this environmentally-friendly bird feeder is ready to be used for a long time. Just make sure to add new seeds from time to time to watch the birds around your house throughout the year.
12. Leather Bird Feeder
Sew a piece of leather to create a ball-shaped feeder that stands out. This is the first freestanding proposition on the list and one that’ll certainly get the guests talking. Consider sewing the piece of leather for durability. Alternatively, you can simply glue them together.
13. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder
Cheap and efficient, a plastic bottle bird feeder isn’t going to win any design awards. It does offer unmatched practicality, on the other hand. Cut out the top part to have a large open space for birds to use. Consider leaving out the cap so that any excess water makes its way out quickly.
14. Gazebo Bird Feeder
If the water bottle idea isn’t very design-orientated, the same can’t be said about this gazebo bird feeder. Use simple pieces of wood and a painted cardboard roof to create a gazebo-inspired bird feeder that stands the test of light rain.
15. Flower Pot Bird Feeder
Almost everybody has old unused flower pots lying around the garage. Why not repurpose them to add plenty of nuts and seeds to attract birds? Use the base plate to hold everything together. Leave it on the patio or hang it up for various species of birds to make their way to your home.
16. Plastic Jar Bird Feeder
Plastic jars are some of the easiest types of jars to repurpose to feed birds. Cut out at least 2 large holes for small birds to make their way inside. Add seeds on the bottom and hang them somewhere properly as the light plastic structure may be easily blown away by strong wind.
17. Hot Air Balloon Bird Feeder
Cardboard, paint, a paper cup, and string are all you need to create your own hot air balloon-type bird feeder. This option is great for having the kids involved as they can let their creativity free with the painting part. Make sure to anchor it properly as cardboard bird feeders might end up yards away quickly.
18. Wooden Bird Feeder
A modified wooden frame with a feeding tray creates this elegant type of DIY wooden bird feeder. Consider the types of cube-like wooden decorative structures around your house you can repurpose for this mall project.
19. Wooden House Bird Feeder
Tiny wooden houses are just too good to overlook for your next DIY bird feeder project. Consider a simpler approach with just 4 supporting poles for the roof, leaving free access space for birds. The more space, the better you see the birds feeding. Switch up the seeds in the feeder to motivate them to come back.
20. Handmade Ceramic Bird Feeder
Ceramic bird feeders tend to last longer. They also act better in high wind areas given their higher weight. Consider a ceramic bird feeder if you live in an open area where most other types of bird feeders are easily blown away.
21. Tin Can Bird Feeder
One of the more complex DIY bird feeders, the tin can option is an ideal late-afternoon project. Use old paint cans, a long piece of wood you glue them on, and 2 pieces of wood to create a small roof. Attach it to a fence to have birds feed even away from trees.
22. Bottle Bird Feeder
Fill a bottle with seeds, hang it upside down, and use a plastic tray to feed birds. Lift the bottle when you need to top up the seeds. A simple and efficient way to feed birds and to store a large quantity of seeds without always going back indoors for them.
23. Hanging Hummingbird Feeder
This modified bottle is the ideal solution to get a small quantity of seeds out as often as needed. A hummingbird-inspired feeder may need to be hanged away from the reach of children who may find it too interesting to keep their hands off.
24. Teapot Bird Feeder
This unique bird feeder is a combination of a teapot with a tea mug. Attach them to a solid surface such as a fence or the outer home walls to create the illusion birds are being served right from the teapot.
25. Hanging Wood Bird Feeder
A few wood planks, glue, or screws make for the most durable hanging wood bird feeder. This is one of the oldest ideas of bird feeders around, one that you have to put into practice at least once if you love birds. Its high durability recommends it for mounting high up in the canopy.
26. Champagne Bottle Bird Feeder
Birds may not like champagne but they like seeds. This design is inspired by a champagne holder. Use a champagne glass for the seeds and consider gluing the glass to the wooden frame to avoid any accidents, particularly with larger birds.
27. Wine Bottle Bird Feeder
A similar design but with a different approach is also possible at home. Consider thick copper or metal bands to bend around the bottle and the glass to create a sturdy bird feeder that breaks the ice with the guests.
28. Log Bird Feeder
An old log may be just as good of a choice as any wooden bird feeder. Consider hollowing out a few spaces around it for the seeds. Use a strong connector to hang it off a tree for a solution made to last for years.
29. Tea Cup and Saucer Bird Feeder
Glue a teacup into a saucer to build a restaurant-style bird feeder. Use durable string to hang it around the garden for a tea-inspired feeder that’s made to last, regardless of the weather.
30. Egg Carton Bird Feeder
Need to store more seeds cheaply? Use half of an egg carton and attached string to feed the birds on a budget. Replace as often as needed or as often as you get eggs in the fridge.
31. Candle Holder Bird Feeder
Repurposing is a form of art. In this case, the art is also in the candle holder which holds seeds instead of actual candles. Install it on walls or on the fence for display.
32. Hanging Mug Bird Feeder
You may not need more than a mug to feed birds. Use a large mug hung at an angle so that you can admire the little birds properly. Consider multiple mugs to attract more birds.
33. Terra Cotta Bird Feeder
Consider repurposing a bird bath to a bird feeder. Choose bold colors for a feeder that stands out and consider adding a balancing weight to keep it in place if you hang it in open areas.
34. Plastic Container Bird Feeder
This home craft idea is based on a versatile plastic container. Tie it just under the lid to avoid having to drill holes into it and have it ready to repurpose after feeding the birds.
35. Plastic Cup Bird Feeder
A plastic cup that’s filled with corn might be a top idea for practicality. Attract birds, watch them feed, and place them in the garden to limit the damage done by slugs to your favorite legumes.
36. Bird Seed with Lard
Have some spare lard? You don’t even need a container. Consider these lard-based seed shapes to attract birds quickly on a tight budget. Make sure dogs can’t reach them.
37. Bottle Bird Feeder
Do you like upcycling? Why not use a plastic bottle to create your DIY bird feeder. Consider painting it to turn it into a more DIY project. Alternatively, use paper flue to add decorations on top.
38. Coconut Bird Feeder
For a beach-inspired bird feeder, a coconut is what you need. Cut out sufficiently for easy access and consider drilling a hole in the coconut to hang it up a branch or on the patio.
39. Colorful Coconut Bird Feeder
Need a bit more color? Consider painting your own pattern, right on the coconut. Colorful coconut bird feeders might not make a difference to the birds, but they do cheer up your backyard.
40. Lantern Bird Feeder
One of the most attractive accessories in the garden, the lantern, can be turned into a bird feeder. Repurpose a cup to add the grains and even sprinkle them around to invite little birds inside.
41. Colorful Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
Do you collect popsicles? Combined them one by one with different colors. Use glue and create colorful tiny bird feeders shaped like homes, cars, or carts.
42. Scrap Wood Bird Feeder
Popsicles, pieces of wood, and bark are used to create this upcycled bird feeder. A longer DIY project can be the solution that lasts but that also comes with the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
43. Acrylic Bird Feeder
Are rats and mice eating your grains in the bird feeder? Consider adding acrylic walls to protect them but add the little base extensions for them to feed on.
44. Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Need something more durable than a DIY paper bird feeder? Repurpose milk cartons to create a more durable solution. Paint over the branding to make it look more unique. Don’t forget to cut out at least 2 sides for prompt seed access,
45. Pumpkin Bird Feeder
Pumpkin-themed bird feeders are a great Halloween bird feeder idea. You may use any size pumpkin. Hollow it out and add two extra holes to have something to tie it to.
46. Paper Tube Bird Feeder
A fun project for children, a paper tube bird feeder is an easy upcycle solution to have birds flying around. Use lard or honey to make the seeds stick to the paper tube and replace as needed.
47. DIY Bird Feeder House
This DIY solution is among the most professional-looking bird feeders you can make at home. Use plywood, acrylic walls, and shingles to glue it together and have something to admire when relaxing in the backyard.
48. Modern Bird Feeder
This modern bird feeder is all about class. Based on square shapes, it measures 12 inches across and represents a simple but elegant solution to encourage birds around your backyard.
49. Poly Hexagon Bird Feeder
A hexagon shape is an ideal constriction for good all-round visibility. Build your own and place it somewhere on the floor or on the ground where you can watch the birds from all angles.
50. Jar Bird Feeder
A jar can have a new purpose as a bird feeder. This idea is all about creativity with a strap of leather tied around it that also holds it horizontally so that birds can make it inside easier.
51. Upcycled Plastic Bird Feeder
Build a self-serving bird feeder using a plastic bottle and a plastic cup. Hang the bottle upside down using straps for the seeds to make their way down as birds eat them.
52. Hopper Bird Feeder
This painted DIY bird feeder is all about matching its appearance with the birdhouse. Paint colorful patterns such as flowers, trees, or objects to make it look friendlier.
53. Egg Bird Seed Feeder
Uses egg toy shapes to create egg-shaped birdseed feeders. Fun and completely different from all other bird feeders on the list, these ones are all about creativity and design working together. Tie them up creatively to get the birds flocking.
54. Cheerio Bird Feeder
Most of us like cheerios and birds love them as well. Combine them together and place them strategically around the backyard to attract birds where you can admire them and relax while they feed.
55. Multi-color Bird Feeder
Stack some colored cups and use a plastic container on top to recreate one of the most colorful bird feeders right at home. Consider stacking them as high as possible without toppling over.
56. Cedar Bird Feeder
Cedarwood bird feeders are some of the most elegant and durable options to build for your backyard. You can purchase cedar planks and screw together. This particular idea also benefits from an open-up roof for easy seed access.
57. Diya Bird Feeder
Repurpose your Diwali diya to create a beautiful bird feeder. Its calming purpose is going to have the same effect on you on busy days when you simply want to watch birds feed.