How to Make a Hummingbird Feeder From a Standard Pet Water Bottle

Hummingbird feeders will attract bees, wasps and other insects if it releases too much nectar.

If you have an old or extra pet water bottle -- preferably one with a metal tube extension -- you can convert it into a hummingbird feeder with only a few steps. For hours of enjoyment, hang it from a tree limb in your yard and watch the birds feed. Regular cleaning and maintenance is required to help keep the hummingbirds happy and healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Pet water bottle with cap
• Large lid
• Red or yellow decoration
• Hot glue gun
• Drill with small bit
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Remove and discard the metal drinking extension from the pet water bottle. Clean the water bottle thoroughly.

2. Put on work gloves to protect your hands. Drill a few small holes into the sides of the water bottle's cap -- the top part of the cap where the metal was extending out.

3. Remove the cap from the pet water bottle and place it upside down inside of the larger lid. The larger lid should be shallow and about twice the diameter of the water bottle's cap. The holes in the bottle cap need to lay below the rim of the larger lid.

4. Glue the bottle cap to the lid using a hot glue gun.

5. Attach rope or wire to the pet water bottle so it can hang -- glue it to the end opposite of the cap and lid.

6. Attach red or yellow plastic flowers or other decorations to attract hummingbirds to the feeder.

7. Fill the bottle with hummingbird nectar. Screw on the cap and turn it upside down.

8. Hang your hummingbird feeder outside and monitor the amount of nectar coming out. Apply a small amount of glue if too much nectar spills out; if not enough nectar comes out, drill the holes slightly larger.

9. Clean and add new nectar once a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not add food coloring to your hummingbird nectar.

References

• All Birds: Hummingbird feeders

Resources

• World of Hummingbirds: How to make a hummingbird feeder