How to Make a Bird Table

Some birds prefer to eat seed off the ground rather than perching on the rungs of a tube-feeder. Sparrows and cardinals are examples of birds who fall into this category. To feed them in a yard also occupied by cats, dogs and kids, build them a bird-table that can be hung out of reach of all except hungry birds. This is a simple carpentry project that's especially fun to do with children.

Things You'll Need

• 1 piece Plywood, 1/4 inch thick (measuring 12
• inches long x 18 inches wide)
• 1 6-foot piece Lathe (1 inch x 1/2 inch), cut in 4 pieces: 2 pieces 12 inches long, 2 pieces 17 inches long
• 12-15 Brads, 3/4 inch long
• 4 Medium Cup Hooks
• 1 Brass Ring, 1-inch in diameter
• 1 Large S-Hook (large enough to hang table on pole-bracket and thin enough to fit into chain-link) 1Bird Feeder Pole (with crook-bracket at top, 5-6 feet)
• Hammer
• Pliers
• 5 16-inch Pieces of Med-Gauge Brass Chain (check in the store to make sure chain will fit cup-hooks, ring, and S-hook before you have it cut)
• 1 Bag Bird Seed (sunflower or fruit/seed mix)

Instructions

1. Lay out lumber strips to make a rim around the edges of your plywood. 12-inch strips will completely cover short sides of plywood, and 17-inch strips will cover the long sides.

2. Hammer brads into strips to attach them to plywood. If you are doing this with a child, teach him or her to hold the brad in pliers. Do the hammering yourself. This saves on mashed fingers.

3. Screw a cup-hook into rim close to each of the four corners.

4. Attach a piece of chain to each cup-hook. Once chain is attached, use pliers to bend cup-hook into a closed loop (so chain cannot pull off).

5. Use pliers and open the ring. Attach loose ends of chains, including the fifth piece of chain.

6. Holding bird table by the fifth chain, check to make sure it hangs level. Adjust where chains attach to ring, one link at a time. Once your table hangs level, close the ring with pliers.

7. Slip large S-hook onto end of fifth chain.

8. Mount pole in your yard, preferably close to trees or bushes that birds can use for "cover." Attach bird table, using S-hook. Add bird-seed and watch the fun.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be discouraged if it takes the birds a few days to find your feeder. They are likely to watch a new feeder from nearby cover until they are sure it is safe to approach.

• If your feeder is too close to trees, you may find it has turned into a squirrel-feeder. Remember that squirrels can jump 8 feet from anywhere. A store that sells feeders and seed will also be likely to have baffles; once you have studied them, you may wish to rig your own using wire, chain or s-hooks.