How to Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder

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By Toby Lee Spiegel
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Tasty Bird Treats

Birds need extra food and fat in the winter when the weather is cold and freezing to help them survive.

Follow these steps for one pine cone bird feeder - of course you will want to make more than one pine cone feeder for the birds!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Large pine cones
Pie plates or paper plates
Mixing bowl
Spoon
Spatula or butter knife
Measuring cup (optional)
Twine, yarn, heavy duty string, or pipe cleaners
Scissors to cut the twine into 2 feet lengths
Vegetable shortening, lard, suet, or peanut butter
Birdseed
Oatmeal or cornmeal
Finely chopped dried fruit, chopped nuts, millet or sunflower seeds

Step 1

Securely tie a 2 foot strand of twine or string to the wider, stem end of the pine cone for hanging. Make sure it's nice and tight.
Step 2

Mix and blend 1/2 cup vegetable shortening with 1/2 cup oatmeal or corn meal in a mixing bowl until well blended.
Step 3

Using your spatula or butter knife smear the outside of the pine cone with the vegetable shortening and oatmeal mixture and push as much as you can into the pine cone spaces between the scales. Spread it on nice and thick.
Step 4

Pour some birdseed and chopped fruit into your pie plate.
Step 5

Roll your pine cone through the birdseed and fruit mixture, and press firmly.
Step 6

Then place your finished pine cones onto another pie plate where you can let them sit for a few hours or overnight to harden. Or place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
Step 7

Hang your pine cone bird feeder from a strong branch of a tree. Or near a window where you can watch the birds. To keep the squirrels away, hang it far enough down away from the branch so the squirrels can't reach it.
Step 8

Get ready for a feeding frenzy. You might want to have your camera ready so you can take pictures.