How to Make a Simple Bird Feeder

You don't need to spend a lot of money on a fancy bird feeder to attract feathered visitors to your yard. Try this easy make-it-yourself model.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Birdseeds
• Dowel Rods
• Scissors
• Binoculars
• About 2 Feet Thin Wires
• Common Nails For Poking Holes
• 1-gallon milk jug

1. Wash an empty 1-gallon plastic milk jug thoroughly, removing any milk residue from it.
2. Put the cap on.
3. Stand the milk jug right side up on your work surface.
4. Cut large holes - about 3 to 4 inches in diameter - in two adjacent sides of the jug opposite the handle. Cut the holes in the middle of the side and high enough that the seed won't spill out of the jug when you put it in.
5. Use a large nail to punch a smaller hole below each of the large holes, and insert a dowel, which the birds will use for perching, through diagonally. The perch should be long enough to stick out about 2 inches on both sides to provide perching spots for your birds.
6. With the large nail, punch two holes in the neck of the milk jug, about 1 inch below the cap.
7. Run a 2-foot-long piece of wire through these two holes, twisting the wire tightly above the cap with several turns.
8. Fill the feeder with birdseed and use the wire ends to hang it from a strong branch or other support. Use black oil sunflower seeds, which will attract the largest variety of birds.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your bird feeder every time you change the seed or whenever the seed gets wet.
• Adults should supervise children using scissors, nails and wire.
• Make sure that the feeder is located in an area safe from neighborhood cats.