How to Make a Bird Feeder

Bird feeders are a great way to attract a variety of different feathered visitors to your yard, and while you could always just buy one, they’re really easy (and fun) to make on your own. Although they may look nice, many wildlife groups discourage using wood to make a bird feeder because they can develop mold and may contain chemicals that can make the birds sick. Luckily, there are plenty of other things you can use to make your own bird feeder.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Milk Jug

1
Mark 2 round openings on the jug and small holes under them. Take a marker and trace 2 round openings on the sides of the jug across from the handle about 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) in diameter. Mark the openings about halfway up the jug so you have room to add birdseed without it spilling out. Just beneath the openings, draw a small circle about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, which is where you’ll add your perches.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Make sure the milk jug is clean so it doesn’t smell or mold.
- Use a pencil or pen if you don’t have a marker.
2
Use scissors to cut the openings and poke out the holes. Take a pair of scissors and carefully cut out the openings along the lines that you marked. Make the cuts even and consistent so there aren’t jagged edges in the openings. Then, use the point of the scissors to push through the small holes you marked beneath the openings.^{[2]XResearch source}
- The smaller holes don’t need to be precise or have smooth edges because you’ll be pushing doweling rods through them.
- You could also use a utility knife if you prefer.
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3
Push 5–6 in (13–15 cm) doweling rods into the holes beneath the openings. Doweling rods are small wooden rods used to fit together pieces of wood, but they’re also perfect for perches on your bird feeder. Take your doweling rods and push them into the small holes you poked out beneath the openings. Push them in far enough so they’re held securely but there’s still about 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) sticking out of the front for birds to perch on as they eat.^{[3]XResearch source}
- You can find doweling rods at your local hardware store, department store, or by ordering them online.
- If you don’t have doweling rods, you could use plastic straws or even sticks that fit into the holes.
4
Fill the jug with birdseed and tie a string around the top. Pour birdseed in through 1 of the openings and fill the jug about halfway so the seed doesn’t spill out. Wrap a string around the top of the jug and tie a tight knot.^{[4]XResearch source}
- You could use string, twine, or wire.
5
Hang the bird feeder outside to attract birds. Tie the string around a tree branch or hang it from your porch so it’s easily visible to birds in the area. Hang the feeder near a window so you can watch birds eat from it. Hang the feeder at least 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) from the ground so squirrels and other critters can’t get to it.^{[5]XExpert SourceJeff Jones
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 13 May 2021.}
- It may take some time for birds to start coming to your feeder. But, once they know where it is and get used to eating from it, you’ll likely have a steady stream of feathered visitors!
- Refill the feeder anytime you notice the seed is low.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Upcycling a Plastic Bottle

1
Use a clean plastic bottle with a cap to make a bird feeder. Choose a plastic juice or water bottle and rinse it out well so there isn’t any residue that could invite mold or bacteria. Make sure the bottle has a cap you can use to seal it so the seed doesn’t spill out or get wet.^{[6]XResearch source}
- A soda bottle works fine as well, just make sure you rinse it out well.
- Remove any wrappers or labels from the bottle if there are any.
2
Poke 2 small holes in the bottom of the bottle. Flip the bottle over and take a pair of scissors or a knife and poke 2 holes into the bottom. Make the holes spaced apart about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm).^{[7]XResearch source}
- Make sure the holes are wide enough to fit twine through them.
3
Thread twine or wire through the holes and tie a knot to make a loop. Take a length of twine or wire and insert it into 1 of the holes you made. Work the twine or wire through the bottom of the other hole and then pull it through. Tie a knot to create a loop that will allow you to hang the bottle.^{[8]XResearch source}
- The length of the twine or string will determine how far the feeder will hang. For example, a 12 in (30 cm) length of twine or wire will hang down much further than a 4 in (10 cm) length.
- The bottom of the bottle will become the top of the bird feeder.
Use a pair of scissors or knife to cut out a small hole about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) in diameter near the bottle cap. Make the opening even so there aren’t jagged edges. Then, make another hole the same size directly across from it so there are 2 holes in the bottle.^{[9]XResearch source}
5
Slide a chopstick through the holes. Take a chopstick and insert it into 1 of the openings you made near the bottle cap. Slide it all the way through the bottle and through the other opening. Push the chopstick until it’s sticking out of both holes in equal lengths to create perches for your feeder.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Visit your local Chinese restaurant for a cheap pair of chopsticks you can use.
- If you don’t have a chopstick, you can use a stick or a straw.
6
Make ¹⁄₃ inch (0.85 cm) holes 2 inches (5.1 cm) above the perches. Above the perches, use your knife or pair of scissors to cut out a hole that will allow birds to access the seed inside of the feeder. Make the openings even and consistent without sharp edges that could cut the birds.^{[11]XResearch source}
- The openings only need to be large enough for birds to poke their beaks inside and grab some birdseed.
Remove the bottle cap and pour the birdseed into the bottle through the opening. Fill the bottle about halfway and then replace the cap. Screw it on tightly so the seed won’t spill out.^{[12]XResearch source}
8
Hang the feeder outside near a window or on a tree branch. Use the loop to attach the bird feeder to a low hanging branch or hang it from a hook on your porch. Place the feeder somewhere birds without obstructions so birds are able to see it and avoid areas where squirrels or other critters can access it, such as near a fence or on a branch with other branches around it that they could use to climb onto the feeder.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Avoid areas that make it difficult for birds to access the feeder such as the corner of a shed or covered porch.
- To refill the feeder, simply take it down and pour more birdseed through the opening. Replace the cap and hang it back up.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Hanging a Natural Bird Feeder

1
Coat a pinecone in peanut butter and birdseed and hang it. Choose a pinecone that’s nice and open and spread peanut butter all over it and in the crevices with a butter knife. Sprinkle birdseed all over the pinecone so it sticks to the peanut butter. Tie a string to the top of the pinecone and then hang it from a low hanging branch or from your porch to attract birds in the area.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Take down the pinecone once the birds pick it clean.
2
Cut a pumpkin in half, fill it with birdseed, and hang it. Take a kitchen knife and cut a pumpkin in half. Scoop out all of the seeds so it’s a hollow shell. Push 2 long sticks through the pumpkin so they form a cross over the opening. Knot 2 lengths of rope together at the center and place the knot at the center of the bottom of the pumpkin so it’s cradled by the rope. Then, hang the pumpkin from a branch by tying the string or rope around it.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceNational Audubon SocietyNonprofit environmental organization focused on conservation, citizen science, and public science educationGo to source}
- Eventually, the pumpkin will fall apart and fall from the branch. Clean it up once it does so you don’t attract critters to the area.
- If the birds eat all of the seed before the pumpkin falls apart, fill it back up!
3
Fill citrus peels with birdseed and hang them with yarn. Cut a citrus fruit such as orange, lemon, or lime in half with a knife and remove the fruit from inside to leave just the peel. Cut 4 pieces of yarn 10 inches (25 cm) long and tie a knot at the end of each piece. Poke 4 holes around the peel with a needle about ⅓ of the way down from the top of the peel. Slide the yarn through the holes on the inside of the peel until the knots are pressed against the peel. Tie all 4 of the strings together in a knot, fill the peel with birdseed, and hang the feeder from a tree.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Refill the feeders whenever the seed runs out.
- When the peels start to look like they’re rotting, take them down.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you hang a bird feeder?
Jeff Jones
Bird Specialist
Jeff Jones is a Bird Specialist based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the writer of BirdOculars, a website dedicated to helping people become better birders. He has over 18 years of experience and specializes in feeding birds and wildlife. Jeff experiments to find ways to encourage birds he wants to study and his website help others to do the same.
Jeff Jones
Bird Specialist
Expert Answer
I would NOT hang a bird feeder from a tree, since squirrels and other predators may use trees to climb or jump onto the bird feeder. Hang your bird feeder away from trees, bushes, fences or buildings. I also recommend placing any bird feeder or bird boxes on a baffled pole to keep predators away.
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What are some simple ways to build a bird feeder?
Community Answer
Make three holes equal distance apart on the edges of anything bowl or dish shaped. Thread string through each hole and tie the strings together at the top, then hang.
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How do I make a pine cone bird feeder?
Community Answer
There is a link to another Wiki article in this article with more details, but first you tie the pine cone to a string. Then cover it with peanut butter and seeds before hanging it on a tree.
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Tips

Choose an area to hang your feeder that lets you watch them from a distance so the birds feel more comfortable visiting it.
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Avoid checking the feeder constantly so your scent doesn’t scare off potential visitors.
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