Gardening Wild Birds Attracting & Feeding Birds

11 Plans for DIY Bird Feeders

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Updated 10/23/20

Blue Jay on a bird feeder — Philippe Gerber/Getty Images

These DIY bird feeders will give your backyard feathered friends a place to rest and get a quick snack or meal before they continue their flight. You'll find that these bird feeder projects are simple to complete, some of them even a child can make. A few of them require some building but they're still easy projects and the perfect choice for someone just beginning with woodworking.

You'll also be able to save some money by making your own bird feeder. In most cases, making it yourself costs a fraction of what a pre-made one usually goes for.

After you've made one of these DIY bird feeders, consider giving the birds a place to stay with these free birdhouse plans.

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Easy DIY Bird Feeder

Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

This DIY bird feeder will not only feed the birds but also house them! Cute little birdhouses are bought pre-made and then painted before being glued on to the base. Birdseed is scattered on the platform giving birds a place to grab a quick bite. The whole bird feeder is on a hanger that can be hung on a tree, hook, or anywhere else you'd like to showcase this cheerful DIY project.

Easy DIY Bird Feeder from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
02 of 11

Acorn Bird Feeder Tutorial

Tried & True Creative

Wire mesh and a wooden bowl make up this unique bird feeder that's shaped like an acorn. With just a few other supplies and some common tools, you can make this DIY bird feeder too. It not only feeds the birds, but it makes a unique yard decoration that all your neighbors will envy.

Acorn Bird Feeder Tutorial from Tried & True Creative
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Teacup Bird Feeder How-To

Practically Functional

This adorable little bird feeder is made from a teacup! The saucer provides a place for the birdseed to sit while birds can fly up and perch anywhere on the saucer or cup to enjoy their meal. The whole thing is hung from a string so you can display it anywhere you'd like in your yard.

How to Make a Teacup Bird Feeder from Practically Functional
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DIY Macramé Hummingbird Feeder

Lovely Indeed

Using just a few basic macramé knots, you can make a bird feeder that holds a hummingbird feeder tube. Add some red or pink spray paint to your macrame cord, and you'll have a cute feeder that will attract hummingbirds with its bright colors.

DIY Macramé Hummingbird Feeder from Lovely Indeed

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05 of 11

DIY Bird Feeder

Wine and Glue

These DIY bird feeders are fun for kids to make but also a lot of fun to make yourself. Birdseed is bonded together to form shapes like the stars shown here. A hole is then created so a ribbon can be tied around the bird feeder. You then hang these beauties from a tree and watch the birds enjoy them.

DIY Bird Feeder from Wine and Glue
06 of 11

Simple Modern Bird Feeder

Delia Creates

Create a modern place for your birds to eat with this DIY bird feeder. Planter sauces, wooden beads, dowels, and rope make up this project. Put all together, it makes a fun, modern bird feeder that would look great on a porch, deck, or outside of a window.

Simple Modern Bird Feeder from Delia Creates
07 of 11

Popsicle Bird Feeder

Tonya Staab

Here's another DIY bird feeder project for kids, but honestly adults will love it, too. Popsicle sticks are put together with glue to form this little holder for bird seeder. A large tongue depressor is used to give the birds a place to perch. These bird feeders can be painted or left as-is before hanging.

Popsicle Bird Feeder from Tonya Staab
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Wine Bottle Bird Feeder

Elizabeth Joan Designs

This DIY bird feeder uses an upside-down wine bottle to hold the birdseed. This all sits on a base where the birdseed falls out. The base and house that you build with wood gives the birds lots of places to sit and wait for their turn at the feeder.

How to Build a Wine Bottle Bird Feeder from Elizabeth Joan Designs

Continue to 9 of 11 below.
09 of 11

Rustic Log Bird Feeder

House of Hawthornes

Here's a unique bird feeder that starts with a regular log. Holes are drilled in the log and then suet is added to attract the birds. There's plenty of tips here for drilling holes in the woods and some alternatives to suet are provided.

Rustic Log Bird Feeder from House of Hawthornes
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Milk Carton Bird Feeder

Boulder Locavore

This beautiful bird feeder starts out with an unlikely material—a milk carton. This simple container is covered with contact paper after holes are made for the birds to get into the feeder and for the string that hangs the milk carton. The result is a beautiful and unique bird feeder.

Milk Carton Bird Feeder from Boulder Locavore
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Simple Macramé Orange Bird Feeder

Blue Corduroy

Here's another simple bird feeder that will take you no time to complete. An orange peel is stuffed with birdseed and then a string is added so it can hang. Macramé knots are added to give it a fresh, modern look.

Simple Macramé Orange Bird Feeder from Blue Corduroy