How to Build Raised Bird Seed Feeders

Providing a safe feeding ground will attract robins.

Everyone loves birds, especially cats. If you would like to attract wild birds to your backyard, but you or your neighbor has cats that may pose a threat, consider building a raised bird feeder. It will allow the birds to eat in safety. Hanging the bird feeder from a clothes line or rope will discourage the cats--and any other animals--from attacking the birds.

Things You'll Need

• Board, 12 inches wide and 18 inches long
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Router
• Wire coat hangers, 2
• Raised molding (scraps will work)
• Saw
• Glue
• Nails
• Hammer
• Bird seed

Instructions

1. Measure in 3 inches from each end of the board and draw a line across the width. Use the router to create a thin groove for the coat hanger.

2. Slide one end of the board through one of the coat hangers and let the wire of the hanger rest in the groove. Slide the other coat hanger onto the opposite end until the wire rests in the second groove.

3. Glue strips of raised molding around the tip edge of the board to keep the birdseed on the platform. Hammer a few nails into the molding to keep it secure.

4. Hang the bird feeder on a clothes line or rope so that it is far enough off the ground to discourage a leaping feline.

5. Fill the raised feeder with bird seed.

Tips & Warnings

• Because this bird feeder lacks a cover, the seed will get wet if it rains. So don't put out much seed at a time to avoid wasting bird seed. Just refill the feeder more often.

References

• Hanging bird feeder

Resources

• Whatbird-Identify North American Birds