If you want to turn your yard into a buzzing hotspot for feathered friends, you don’t need to be a pro carpenter! With some creativity, a few supplies, and a little love for nature, you can make bird feeders and houses that birds will flock to. Here are 13 fun DIY ideas to help you create an irresistible backyard paradise for your favorite visitors.
1. Recycled Bottle Feeder
Turn an empty plastic bottle into a chic bird feeder by cutting holes near the bottom for feeding perches. Add wooden spoons or sticks through the holes to create resting spots. Fill it with birdseed and voilà—a recycled feeder that’s cheap, easy, and bird-approved. Bonus: it keeps plastic out of landfills while bringing birds to your yard!
2. Simple Pine Cone Feeder
Grab a few pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed for this classic DIY. Roll the pine cone in peanut butter, sprinkle birdseed all over it, and hang it on a tree with some string. It’s easy, eco-friendly, and perfect for attracting small birds. Plus, the natural look blends beautifully into any garden setting.
3. Teacup and Saucer Feeder
Glue a teacup to its saucer for a charming touch, tilting the cup slightly so birds can access the seed. Attach it to a sturdy branch or place it on a pole in the garden. This whimsical, vintage-inspired feeder will have your yard looking Pinterest-perfect and attract small songbirds like sparrows and finches.
4. Orange Rind Feeder
Cut an orange in half and scoop out the insides. Fill the rind with birdseed and hang it from a tree with some twine. This eco-friendly feeder is as delightful as practical, providing birds with a snack and a little natural fragrance. It’s biodegradable, making it easy to replace and dispose of.
5. Milk Carton Birdhouse
Give an empty milk or juice carton new life as a birdhouse. Cut a hole near the bottom for the birds to enter, decorate it with paint or craft paper, and hang it outside. This birdhouse is easy to make, customizable, and durable. It’s a great way to add color and creativity to your yard while helping birds find a cozy spot to nest.
6. Wine Bottle Feeder
Place an old wine bottle upside-down in a wooden frame to repurpose it into an elegant bird feeder. Fill the bottle with seeds, and gravity will keep the seeds flowing to the bottom as birds feed. This DIY project adds a touch of sophistication to your yard while giving birds an endless supply of treats.
7. Coconut Shell Feeder
Got a spare coconut? Cut it in half, scoop out the flesh, and use the shell as a feeder. Fill it with birdseed and hang it up. Coconut shells are natural and durable, making them perfect, eco-friendly bird feeders. Plus, they add a tropical flair to your backyard, which you and the birds will love.
8. Mason Jar Feeder
Turn a mason jar into a feeder by attaching a metal chicken feeder base to the mouth of the jar. Fill the jar with birdseed and hang it upside-down so the seeds pour into the base as birds eat. This rustic-style feeder is functional and adorable, and mason jars are easy to come by. It’s a stylish, farmhouse-chic addition to any yard.
9. Rustic Log Birdhouse
If you have a log lying around, you can transform it into a natural birdhouse by hollowing out a section and adding an entrance hole. Secure it on a tree or post for an authentic woodland feel. Birds will love the organic look, which blends seamlessly with your yard’s natural vibe. This project requires some woodworking tools but is well worth the effort!
10. Tin Can Feeder
Paint an empty tin can, and add a perch for a simple, colorful bird feeder. Fill it with seeds, and hang it horizontally by attaching some string or wire. This easy DIY project is a great way to upcycle cans, giving them a new purpose while adding a pop of color to your yard that birds won’t be able to resist.
11. DIY Suet Feeder
For those in colder climates, a DIY suet feeder is a must! Melt some lard, mix in birdseed, and pour it into molds (like cupcake tins). Once it solidifies, hang the suet cakes with some twine. Suet feeders are perfect for winter, providing birds with the extra fat to stay warm. Plus, you can experiment with fun shapes that add charm to your outdoor space.
12. Wooden Pallet Birdhouse
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Got a spare wooden pallet? Cut it into pieces and create a rustic birdhouse. Pallet wood is sturdy and gives your DIY birdhouse a cool, weathered look. Customize it with paint or leave it natural for a raw, rustic charm. It’s a creative way to use old materials while giving birds a cozy nesting spot that will look stunning in your yard.
13. Gourd Birdhouse
Hollow out a dried gourd and cut an entrance hole for a natural-looking birdhouse. Paint or varnish it to make it weather-resistant, then hang it in your yard. Gourds make perfect birdhouses, providing birds with a sheltered space to nest while blending beautifully with your garden’s aesthetic. This project is simple, sustainable, and ideal for attracting small nesting birds.