How to Build a Canning Jar Birdfeeder

Putting out bird seed is a great way to attract birds to your yard, providing you with bird-watching opportunities while benefiting the birds. You do not need an expensive bird feeder to attract birds. You can make a simple hanging bird feeder with supplies you already have around the house. Consider making several bird feeders filled with different types of seeds to attract different bird species to your yard.

Things You'll Need

• Quart-size canning jar
• 1/2-inch metal nut
• Waterproof silicone adhesive
• 2-foot length of 12-gauge wire
• 1-foot length of 12-gauge wire
• Birdseed
• Canning jar feeder base for a quart-size jar
• Paint bucket hook

Instructions

1. Attach the nut to the bottom of the canning jar with silicone adhesive. The nut must stand up vertically so the wire can run through the hole.

2. Run the 2-foot length of wire through the hole in the nut. Match the cut edges of the wire together at the top and twist together to form a continuous loop of wire.

3. Loosely wrap the 1-foot length of wire around the tree branch where you want to hang the bird feeder, twisting the ends together to form a continuous loop. There should be at least 1 inch of play between the branch and the wire.

4. Fill the canning jar with birdseed.

5. Attach the canning jar feeder base to the canning jar.

6. Hang the canning jar in the tree, using the paint bucket hook to connect the two loops of wire.

Tips & Warnings

• The canning jar feeder base is also called a chicken feeder base. You can find them at hardware stores and agricultural supply stores.

• If you don't have a tree available, you can hang this bird feeder from a bracket attached to a fence post or railing.

References

• Bird Watcher's Digest
• Bird feeders from recyclable materials
• Hanging bird feeders