How to Build a Hummingbird Feeder Out of a 2L Soda Bottle

Hummingbird feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are available at most hardware and gardening stores. If you are feeling creative, you can easily make your own hummingbird feeder out of a few recycled household items.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty 2-liter soda bottle, including bottle cap
• Cap from a larger jar
• Ice pick
• Hook
• Red crafting plastic
• Coat hanger or wire
• Glue
• Hot Glue gun
• Napkin or tissue

1. Rinse the empty 2 liter soda bottle and cap with warm water several times to make sure there is no soda left inside.

2. Use an ice pick to punch several holes into the 2 liter bottle cap. Start by punching holes in a circular pattern around the center of the cap, then punch a hole in the middle.

3. Punch through the area connecting the holes to create one large hole in the bottle cap.

4. Stuff the napkin or tissue inside of the 2 liter bottle cap hole so that it protrudes just a bit from the bottom.

5. Place the 2 liter bottle cap into the center of a large jar cap upside down (be sure the lip of the smaller bottle cap rests just beneath the lip of the larger cap, creating a well.)

6. Use the hot glue gun to create four "bridges" from the outer rim of the larger cap to the rim of the inner cap. You may need to apply the glue several times to build up a thick bridge in four places from the outer cap to the inner one. Be sure to leave open spaces between the bridges, as that is where the nectar will flow.

7. Allow the glue to dry, then remove the napkin.

8. Fill the 2 liter bottle halfway full with cool nectar, and screw the bottle cap and assembly onto the bottle.

9. Turn the filled and capped bottle upright, and punch a small hole in what is now the top of the bottle.

10. Insert a hook into the "top" of the bottle, and seal the edge around the screw with hot glue, being careful not to spill any glue into the bottle. (You can perform this step before adding the nectar, if you prefer.)

11. Cut out plastic red flower petals, and attach them with hot glue to the outside of the larger cap to create colorful perches for the hummingbirds.

12. String a wire or unbent coat hanger into the screw at the top of the inverted bottle, and attach it to a tree limb or plant hanger.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint small stripes on your bottle with red non-toxic paint to attract more hummingbirds. Since hummingbirds prefer clear feeders to opaque ones, leave most of the feeder unpainted. Empty and clean your feeder every two or three days using warm water, but no soap. Once a week, pour 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts hot water into the bottle, and allow the cleansing mix to stand for one hour before rinsing and refilling the feeder. This will help to prevent mold and mildew from forming inside.
• Never add food coloring to your hummingbird feeder, as it may cause health problems, including possible tumors, in the birds.

References

• Hummingbird Feeders
• Homemade Hummingbird Feeders