If you're looking for a fun, easy way to help the environment, you may want to consider making a recycled bird feeder. Not only will you be doing your part to reduce waste, but you'll also get to enjoy watching birds up close.
Since we live off the grid in a remote area, we're always looking for ways to upcycle and reduce waste. And we also love to craft as part of our nature lessons in our off grid homeschool days.
We started with making a recycled bird feeder using old cork placemats. And now we have an entire list of options to try.
17 Ways to Make an Upcycled Bird Feeder
1. Pinecone Bird Feeder
Making a pinecone birdfeeder is a simple process that even young children can do. It's a fun way to use natural materials to make homemade bird feeders to attract a variety of birds.
All you need is:
- a pinecone
- some peanut butter
- birdseed
- a piece of string or yarn
How to Make a Pinecone Feeder
- First, cover the outside of the pinecone with peanut butter using a butter knife or rubber spatula.
- Next, roll the pinecone in birdseed or sunflower seeds.
- Place the pinecone in an area where it won't be disturbed so the peanut butter can dry out. It will take about 24 hours for the peanut butter to harden.
- Once it's hardened, wrap the string around the top of the pinecone and tie it in a loop.
- Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
Tip: Not sure which birds live in your area? Check out the Audobon Bird Guide!
2. Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Looking for a simple bird feeder to attract backyard birds? Try a milk carton bird feeder. It's a great way to recycle those old milk cartons. And it's an easy craft idea for kids.
You'll need:
- an empty and clean milk carton
- a pencil
- pair of scissors
- ruler
- bird seed
- string
How to Make a Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Start by tracing a semi-circle at the base of one side of the milk carton. Cut out the half-circle, leaving a flap that opens out to extend the bottom. Make sure it's somewhat small - 1 inch tall or so. That way, the birdseed won't come out too quickly.
Then, make two small holes on opposite sides of the top of the milk carton. These will be used to thread the string through.
Next, fill the milk carton with birdseed.
Thread the string through the holes and tie it in a loop. Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
3. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder
If you're looking for easy ideas to attract wild birds to your own backyard, start with items in your kitchen.
For example, you can also make a recycled bird feeder out of a plastic soda bottle, plastic peanut butter jars, or even plastic milk jugs.
You'll need:
- a clean and empty plastic bottle
- a hole punch
- 8" wooden dowels or wooden sticks
- ruler
- a marker
- wild bird seed
- string or piece of twine
How to Make a Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder
- Start by cutting the top off of the plastic bottle to make a large hole. You'll want to cut it just below the neck of the bottle.
- Next, use the hole punch to make two small holes on either side of the top of the bottle, about ½" below the edge.
- Thread the string through the holes and tie it in a loop. Use sturdy string that won't break from the weight of the bird feeder when it's full.
- Punch additional holes at various spots around the bottle. This is where the birds can get the bird seed.
- Hot glue wooden dowels to each side of the bottle, so birds have a place to land.
- Fill the bottle with mixed seed and screw the top back on.
- Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
4. Egg Carton Bird Feeder
An egg carton bird feeder is another great way to recycle.
You'll need:
- an empty and clean egg carton
- hole punch
- bird seed
- string
How to Make It
- Remove the top of the egg carton with scissors.
- Punch a hole on the 2 short sides of the egg carton
- Thread the string through the holes and tie it in a loop.
- Fill each section of the egg carton with bird seed.
- Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
5. Dried Fruit Bird Feeder
You can also make a bird feeder out of dried fruit.
You'll need:
- dried fruit, such as raisins, apricots, or oranges
- scissors
- small knife
- small, sturdy twigs
- fishing line
How to Make a Dried Fruit Bird Feeder
- Thread the dried fruit and raisins onto the fishing line. If needed, you can use the knife to make a small hole to thread the fishing line through.
- Leave enough space between each piece of fruit so that the birds can easily eat them.
- Alternate the fruit with a few twigs - tie them onto the fishing line so the birds can land on them.
- Tie the string onto a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
6. Scrap Wood Bird Feeder
If you have some scrap wood lying around, you can use it to make a bird feeder.
You'll need:
- scrap wood
- a saw
- bird seed
- string
How to Make a Bird Feeder from Scrap Wood Pieces
Start by cutting the scrap wood into the right sized pieces:
- (1) 6"x6" piece
- (3) 6"x3" pieces
- (1) 6"x5" piece
- (2) 5"x3" pieces
- (1) 8"x8" piece
You can make adjustments as needed to fit whatever scrap wood you have. Just sketch it out first to make sure everything will fit together.
Next, hot glue the wood together to form the birdhouse. Using the 6"x6" piece as the back, attach the 6"x3" pieces to 3 of the sides of the 6"x6" piece to form the sides and bottom of the house.
Then, attach the 6"x5" piece to the front, leaving a small gap at the bottom for the birdseed to come out.
Attach the 2 5"x3" pieces to the top of the birdhouse to form a roof. There will be a gap on each side - that's where you'll fill the birdhouse.
Glue the entire house to the largest piece so that it has a platform for birds to land on.
When the glue has dried, fill it with birdseed and guide string through the gaps near the roof to hang it up.
7. Can Bird Feeder
You can also make a bird feeder out of an old can.
You'll need:
- several empty and clean metal cans
- a piece of plywood around 1 foot long
- hot glue gun
- paint
- a drill
- sturdy string
How to Make a Bird Feeder from an Old Can
Paint each metal can. Try alternating 2 or more colors for a more colorful look.
When the paint is dry, hot glue the bottom of each can to the plywood board in a zigzag pattern.
Drill a hole all the way through one end of the plywood.
Guide the string through the hole and hang it from a tree or attach it directly to a tree using a nail and hammer.
Fill the cans with birdseed, dried fruit, or other types of bird food.
8. Plate Bird Feeder
Do you have any old, chipped plates lying around? If so, try turning them into upcycled bird feeders.
You'll need:
- an old plate
- scissors
- birdseed
- string
- glue gun
How to Upcycle Old Plates into Bird Feeders
Measure the diameter of the plate and cut two pieces of string that are 5 times as long as the diameter.
For example, if you have an 8" plate, cut two pieces of string that are 40" long each.
Arrange the two pieces of string in a cross, so that they're connected at the center of each piece.
Hot glue the strings to the center of the bottom of the plate where they meet and allow the glue to fully dry.
Flip the plate over and gather the strings above the plate. Tie them all in a knot.
Adjust the strings so they're evenly arranged around the edge of the plate and hot glue them in place to make your birdfeeder more sturdy.
When the glue is dry, hang it from a branch and fill the plate with birdseed or other bird food.
9. Meaty Bone Bird Feeder
Did you know that some birds love meat? You can make a bird feeder out of a meaty bone for these feathered carnivores.
You'll need:
- Leftover bones
- Fishing line
How to Make a Bird Feeder From Bones
Tie bones together in a row using the fishing line and hang it up high in a tree. That's all there is to it with this one!
Tip: If you live in the wilderness like we do, proceed with caution. You don't want to attract wolves or bears instead of birds!
10. Basket Bird Feeder
A basket bird feeder is a great way to recycle an old basket.
You'll need:
- an old basket
- string
How to Make a Bird Feeder from an Old Basket
Another very simple recycled bird feeder, you may not have to do much at all to "make" it. If your basket has a handle, you can simply fill it with birdseed and hang it from a branch.
If it doesn't have a handle, you can thread string through the sides of the basket to hang it up.
11. Mason Jar Bird Feeder
A Mason jar bird feeder is a great way to upcycle an old Mason jar. If the rims are chipped making them unsuitable for canning, you can still get use out of them by making this bird feeder.
You'll need:
- an old Mason jar
- an old plate
- a drill
- glue gun
- bird seed
- string
How to Make a Mason Jar Bird Feeder
Start by drilling two small holes in the lid of the Mason jar. These will be used to thread the string through.
Using a glass drill bit, make a small hole toward the bottom of each side of the jar. This is where the birdseed will come out.
Hot glue the bottom of the jar to a plate to give the birds somewhere to land and eat the birdseed.
Fill the jar with bird seed and put the lid on the jar.
Thread the string through the holes and tie it in a loop. Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
12. Handbag Bird Feeder
You can also make a bird feeder out of an old handbag.
You'll need:
- an old handbag
- scissors
- bird seed
How to Make a Bird Feeder from an Old Purse or Handbag
You really don't have to do anything to "make" this bird feeder! Just fill an old handbag with bird seed and hang it up on a tree!
It's important to choose a bag that's made from breathable and/or water-resistant materials, like cotton or linen. You don't want the birdseed to get moldy.
13. Rubber Boot Bird Feeder
It might seem silly, but you can also make a bird feeder out of an old rubber boot.
You'll need:
- an old rubber boot
- Xacto knife
- bird seed
- string
How to Make a Bird Feeder from Old Rubber Boots
Start by cutting toe off the rubber boot, leaving the sole in place.
Next, fill the shoe with bird seed.
Thread the string through the bootstrap and tie it in a loop. Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds!
14. Oatmeal Canister Bird Feeder
Using those old oatmeal canisters is a great way to recycle them.
- several empty cardboard oatmeal canisters
- a piece of plywood around 3 feet long and ¾' wide.
- gluegun
- paint
- a drill
- sturdy string
How to Upcycle Your Old Oatmeal Cannister into a Bird Feeder
Paint each oatmeal canister. Try alternating two or more colors or decorating them with washi tape.
When the paint is dry, hot glue the bottom of each canister to the plywood board in a zigzag pattern.
Nail the board to a tree where birds can enjoy it.
Fill the canisters with birdseed, dried fruit, or other types of bird food.
15. Corn Cob Bird Feeder
You can also make a bird feeder out of a corn cob.
You'll need:
- a dried corn cob
- peanut butter
- bird seed
- string
How to Make a Corn Cob Bird Feeder
Start by making a small hole at the end of the corn cob. This will be used to thread the string through.
Next, spread peanut butter on the cob and roll it in birdseed.
Thread the string through the holes and tie it in a loop. Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching the birds in your backyard!
16. Onion Bag Bird Feeder
You can also make a bird feeder out of an old onion bag.
You'll need:
- an old onion bag
- scissors
- dried fruit
- string
How to Make a Bird Feeder from an Onion Bag
Fill an onion bag with dried fruit, nuts, and seeds and tie it closed.
Thread string through the bag and tie it in a loop to hang it up.
17. Teacup Bird Feeder
You can make a whimsical bird feeder out of an old teacup.
You'll need:
- an old teacup
- bird seed
- string
How to Make a Teacup Bird Feeder
Thread the string through the handle and tie it in a loop. Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch and fill it with birdseed, or even a suet feeder block.
What Should I Put in My Birdfeeder?
You can use certain kinds of food to attract different kinds of birds to your birdfeeder. Here are some examples:
- Mealworms - attract bluebirds, robins, and wrens
- Nyjer seed - attract goldfinches
- Sunflower seeds - attract cardinals, chickadees, jays, nuthatches, and woodpeckers
- Fruit - attract cedar waxwings, orioles, and robins
- Peanuts - attract blue jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers
- Animal bones and fat - attract vultures and corvids
- Whole eggs - attract blackbirds, crows, and jays
- Oats - attract buntings, cardinals, finches, juncos, mourning doves, quails, and sparrows
Different birds also have different preferences for where they like to feed. Some birds like to perch on a branch while they eat, while others like to feed directly from the ground. Be sure to place your birdfeeder in an area that will be attractive to the kinds of birds you want to attract!
You can also use a birdbath to attract birds to your yard. Birds need water to drink and bathe in.
As you can see, there are so many ways to make a recycled bird feeder and start attracting all kinds of interesting birds to your yard. Give it a try and enjoy watching your new feathered friends come and go.
