How to Make a Bird Feed From a Pop Bottle

Rather than buying an expensive bird feeder, you can make one at home for free.

Two liter soda bottles can be recycled and reused for many different things. One craft that is easy and virtually free to construct is a bird feeder. This can be a great craft for the family to bond over and it will also serve as a great way to teach your children about the importance of recycling and the beauty of nature. In less than a half hour, you can build this fun and educational bird feeder that will provide your family with hours of bird watching.

Things You'll Need

• 2 liter soda bottle
• 2 dowel rods (5/16-inch by 8-inch)
• 3 feet of thin metal wire
• Power drill
• 1/16 inch drill bit
• 5/16 inch drill bit

Instructions

1. Remove the label from the soda bottle. Wash and dry the bottle thoroughly.

2. Drill a 1/16-inch hole using the power drill into the center of the bottle cap and the center of the bottom of the soda bottle.

3. Remove the cap, then feed the wire from the inside to the outside through the hole drilled in the bottom of the bottle, then through the hole in the cap.

4. Replace the cap and secure the wire by wrapping it around the neck of the bottle. Make a 4- to 5-inch loop with the wire at the bottom end of the bottle to serve as the hanger. The feeder should hang with the cap end facing down.

5. Drill two 5/16-inch holes near the capped end of the soda bottle on opposite sides. Drill two more holes 1/2 inch above those holes. Position the holes so that the dowel rod perches will cross one another in the center.

6. Insert the dowel rods into the holes. These will serve as the perches.

7. Drill or cut 5/16-inch holes for the seed about 2 inches above the perches.

8. Fill the bottle about halfway full of the bird seed you wish to use and hang the feeder at eye level from a stand or tree branch.

Tips & Warnings

• Size feed holes according to what kind of birdseed you will be using.

• Decorate the feeder with paint or permanent markers if desired.

• Wear safety gloves while using power tools.

References

• Thrifty Fun: Pop Bottle Bird Feeder
• A Home For Wild Birds: A Soda Bottle Bird Feeder You Can Build
• Planet Green: Turn A Used Plastic Bottle Into A Bird Feeder

Resources

• Uncommon Goods: Soda Bottle Feeder Kits