How to Make Platform Feeders for Song Birds

Cardinals are particularly fond of black oil sunflower seeds.

Songbirds, such as cardinals, goldfinches and warblers, are a pleasure to watch. Unless the conditions in your yard are ideal, they may not come near enough for you to view or hear them. One of the easiest ways attracting songbirds is constructing a platform feeder and filling it with their favorite foods. While birds feed on a wide variety of seeds, songbirds particularly enjoy black sunflower seeds, thistle seeds and white millet.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-1-inch hardwood
• Hack saw
• Wood glue
• Nail gun
• Pencil
• Fine wire mesh
• 2-by-2-inch hardwood post
• Black oil sunflower seeds
• Thistle seeds
• White millet
• Sliced apples and oranges

Instructions

1. Cut four 12-inch pieces of 1-by-1-inch hardwood using a hacksaw. Arrange them in a square, aligning the edges.

2. Apply a small dab of wood glue at each joint and drive a nail through the joint from the outside using a nail gun securing the wooden frame.

3. Measure the distance from one corner inside the wooden frame to the opposite corner and cut two more pieces of 1-by-1-inch hardwood to that length. Cut one of the pieces in half and trim one-half inch from both halves.

4. Mark the center at both ends of the whole piece of 1-by-1-inch hardwood in pencil and trim the ends at a 45-degree angle from both sides of the center mark. Repeat this process on one end of both halves of remaining piece of 1-by-1-inch hardwood.

5. Insert the whole piece of trimmed hardwood into the square frame diagonally between two corners. The angled ends should fit precisely into the corners. Apply a small dab of wood glue to the joint at both ends and drive a nail through the outside of the frame into the diagonal support at both ends using a nail gun.

6. Insert the remaining pieces of hardwood inside the frame, so that the angled ends fit snugly in the corners and the flat ends are flush with the sides of the first diagonal support. Apply a small dab of wood glue at each joint and secure the hardwood in place using the nail gun.

7. Cut a 12-by-12-inch piece of fine wire mesh and lay it on top of the wooden frame. Use a staple gun to attach the mesh at each corner and insert additional staples about every 2 inches along all four sides of the frame.

8. Cut a 2-by-2-inch hardwood post to 12 inches longer than the platform feeder’s desired height and center the wooden platform on top of on end, screen side down. Use the nail gun to drive nails through the diagonal supports of the frame into the wooden post to secure the platform in place.

9. Dig a 12-inch hole in the ground where you intend to install the platform feeder and insert the wooden post’s base into the hole. Packing the earth tightly around the post’s base ensures stability. In order to make the platform feeder appealing to songbirds, select a location no more than 10 or 15 feet away from shrubbery or other vegetation so birds have quick access to shelter if a predator approaches.

10. Fill the platform feeder with black oil sunflower seeds, thistle seeds, white millet or sliced apples and oranges. Different types of birds prefer different foods so alternate the foods to attract a variety of songbirds.

Tips & Warnings

• You may substitute a wooden or plastic base for the wire mesh on your platform feeder. If you do, drill a series of one-eighth inch holes in it allowing moisture to drain. Fine wire mesh is sufficient for containing even small seeds and it allows water and snow to drain immediately.

References

• "Bird Watcher's Digest"; Attract Birds and Protect Seed With a Simple and Effective Feeder Design; Benjamin Burtt
• Cornell University; The Best Ways To Attract More Songbirds To Your Property; Stephen W. Kress
• NC State University: Attracting Songbirds