Homemade Bird Feeders & Stations

Used bottles can serve as bird feeders.

A bird feeding station incorporates a few feeders. Various birds have different feeding preferences, so the type of bird feeder you make determines the species of birds you attract. Feeders fall into seed feeders, suet feeders for birds that eat insects or meat, and liquid feeders for hummingbirds.

Seed Feeder

Seed feeders come in various shapes. Some look like trays, while others have a box or circular shape. Pieces of plywood 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch thick make sturdy seed feeders. You can also turn used bottles and tin cans into seed bird feeders if you add holes and perches.

Suet Feeder

A suet feeder contains pieces of hardened animal fat and usually has holes or mesh through which birds eat. A hollow tree log with holes can serve as a suet feeder. You can also hang a plastic mesh bag or hardware mesh cloth containing suet.

Liquid Feeder

Hummingbirds drink nectar liquid from an inverted bottle feeder or a saucer feeder. A homemade hummingbird feeder uses bottles or bowls to contain the liquid. It usually has a wire hanger and red decorations because hummingbirds find the color attractive.

References

• Ohio Department of Natural Resource: The Feeding Station
• Purdue University: Shelves, Houses and Feeders for Birds and Mammals
• OSU: Good Study Habits and Homework
• North Carolina State University: Hummingbird Home Page