How to Make a Bird Feeder
Feeding birds benefits the birds and those who feed them. Birds, especially in the winter, appreciate the supplemental nourishment that a full feeder provides. For the feeder, bird watching provides an opportunity to observe nature, up close and personal. Making your own bird feeder requires minimal skill and only a few hours of time. Although there are many styles of bird feeders -- a simple, open feeder is a good choice for the novice builder. Easy and inexpensive to construct, an open feeder draws a wide variety of birds for your viewing pleasure. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 8-by-3/4 inch cedar board
- Saw
- Ruler
- Drill
- 1 1/2-by-3/4 inch cedar board
- Wood glue
- Wood screws
- 5-inch wide cedar shingles
- 1/4-inch wooden dowel
- Window screen
- Thumb tacks
- 1 1/2-by-3/4 inch cedar
- Birdseed
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of 3/4-by-8 inch board to measure 10 inches long. Cut one end of the board on two 30-degree angles to form the peak of the roof. This is the back of the bird feeder.
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2
Make a 1 1/4-inch hole in the center of the back piece, using a drill, 4 1/2 inches up from the bottom. Drill another hole measuring 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch below the first hole. Set the back piece aside for later use.
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3
Cut a side piece from 1 1/2-by-3/4-cedar board to measure 6 inches long. Use this piece as a guide to make a second side piece with the same dimensions. Label these two pieces and set them aside for later use.
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4
Cut a third piece from 1 1/2-by-3/4 inch cedar, measuring 8 inches long. This will be the front of the bird feeder. Label this piece to keep it separate from the other pieces.
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5
Place the two side pieces up on their edges, next to each other and parallel with each other, 8 inches apart. Arrange the front piece on its edge over the bottoms of the side pieces. Apply a small amount of wood glue where the wood meets. Hold the joints together for a while to allow the glue to set. Drill pilot holes then screw the locations you glued together using wood screws.
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6
Hold the back up, so its bottom is resting on your working surface. The point should be pointing upward. Place the structure completed in the previous step using the sides and front at the bottom of the back piece. The four pieces should now form a square. Glue then screw the back piece unto the sides.
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7
Cut a 5-inch wide cedar shingles to measure 5-inches long. Rip cut the shingle in half so you have two shingles measuring 2 1/2 inches wide and 5 inches long. Glue the two shingles to the top of the roof peak with wood glue.
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8
Cut a 1/4-inch wide wooden dowel to measure 2 inches long. Put a dab of wood glue on the bottom of the dowel. Insert the end of the dowel with wood glue into the small hole in the back piece of the bird feeder. Adjust the dowel as needed, then allow the wood glue to dry.
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9
Cut a window screen to measure 8-by-7 inches. Flip the bird feeder over, and center the screen piece over the bottom of the square. Use thumb tacks to attach screen to the bottom. Flip the feeder back over. Cut off any extra screen.
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10
Cut a stake from 3/4-by-11/2 inch lumber, measuring 4 feet long. Cut a point on the bottom of the stake to make it easier to put into the ground. Glue, then screw the top of the stake to the back of the bird feeder.
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11
Place the end of the stake into he ground at desired location. Make sure the screen int he bird feeder is level with the ground. Pour a small amount of bird seed on to the screen and watch as the birds come to enjoy.
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Tips & Warnings
Place the bird feeder in your yard or garden in a location where it is visible from a window in your home.
Place several different types of birdseed into the feeder at one time to attract many different types of birds.
Wear safety protection when operating power equipment.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
