If the bottle is not dry, the moisture can cause the bird feed to get moldy.
Using a thumbtack is safer than using a knife and reduces the chance of accidentally cutting yourself. These 2 holes will create the space for the first perch.
Avoid making the holes too wide, or the perch will slip out of place when it’s in use.
Wooden chopsticks work well for this part of the project.
If you’re using a large bottle, add 2 to 3 more perches. Just make sure to alternate the angles so that there is enough space for the birds.
Avoid making the drain holes too big or the birdseed will fall through the holes.
It’s okay if the circles aren’t perfect. Just make them big enough for a bird’s beak and enough to keep the birdseed in.
With a large bottle, make 4 holes so extra twine can be used to hang the bottle up.
Anything that can hold the weight of the bird feeder can be used instead of twine.
If you don’t have a yard, you can still put out a bird feeder. Simply hang it from a hook or pole outside a window so you can enjoy bird watching. Sunflower seeds are loved by backyard birds, like chickadees, finches, jays, cardinals, sparrows, doves, and goldfinches. Nyjer seeds have a higher oil content and are great to put out in winter. Avoid mixes made for larger birds, like ducks, quail, or turkeys. These are ground-feeders and won’t be able to access the plastic-bottle feeder.
You can use a juice carton if you don’t have a milk carton.
You can paint the carton a different color depending on what you’d like to do. The idea is to add a base coat to the carton to cover up the original label.
If you’re crafting with kids, complete this part of the project for them so that they are not working with sharp tools.
Feel free to get creative with this process! It’s okay if your bird feeder doesn’t look like a house as long as you’re having a good time making it.
Purchase wooden craft sticks at your local craft store. You can get a pack of 150 sticks for about $2.
After making the hole with a knife, use scissors to widen the hole. Simply insert the tip of the scissors into the hole and twist them back and forth to make the hole bigger.
You can buy birdseed online, at pet stores, and at many home improvement stores.
If you don’t have a tree to hang the feeder, use a pole or an adhesive hook on the outside of a window.
Suet is the hard white fat that is found in animal meat. It is used to make pastries and puddings, but it is a healthy and tasty food for birds. Find suet at your grocery store, or ask your local butcher if they have any available. You can make suet cakes to use in the produce netting.
It’s okay if the suet is a little loose—the netting holes are small enough that it won’t fall through.
If you don’t have twine, use something that won’t break easily.
Suet can attract animals, like dogs, cats, and other creatures, so keeping it high off the ground will keep it safe.
Suet attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, juncos, chickadees, and other beautiful birds.
