Make an easy bird feeder.

An easy project using recycled materials and a fairly basic selection of tools.

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Step 1: Tools & materials

Drill
2, 4, 8mm Drill bits
Saw
Scroll saw or fret saw
Pencil
Rule
Pliers
Wire cutters
File
Knife
Screwdriver
Screws & panel pins
Compass
Hammer
Piece of board 160x140mm
Dowel 80mmx8mm
Branchwood 160x50mm

Buzzinski says: Apr 26, 2012. 11:16 PM

Knocked up one of these in about 15 minutes. Put it in my avery with 2 Indian Ring necks and they love it. I use apples, corn on the cob, brocolli etc.
Thanks, very easy to make and my birds love it.

retired2AZ says: Jan 19, 2012. 5:44 PM

Nice idea. I bought one at a craft fair. Thought it would be fun. Put it in the tree. No one told the birds they were supposed to eat the fruit... I even cut the fruit so the skin was removed... still no takers. It wudda been fun. Maybe they wanted organic fruit. I dunno... sigh.

NDKate57 in reply to retired2AZJan 24, 2012. 4:46 AM

I can attract orioles in the spring with oranges - If you have orioles in your area you could try slicing off about an inch from an orange rather than using an apple in the feeder.

I am in the shed! (author) in reply to retired2AZJan 20, 2012. 5:23 AM

Doh!... there's just no pleasing some birds eh? - they don't know when they're well off!

pisacano says: Jan 16, 2012. 3:32 PM

Coat that apple in peanut butter and roll it in bird seed.

TheSlapster in reply to pisacanoJan 22, 2012. 12:32 PM

Yup, or stick one of those seed covered suet balls in it as an alternative. Love this idea, very simple & has an attractive look too!

I have to wonder, is it moderately Squirrel Proof?

I am in the shed! (author) in reply to TheSlapsterJan 22, 2012. 1:00 PM

Yeah! fat balls! never thought of those - thanks.
I doubt if its at all Squirrel proof, Its not encased in steel mesh for one thing.
We're surrounded by fields so they don't really travel this far anyway.

mammadove says: Jan 14, 2012. 9:58 PM

That's a really good idea, nice job =)

coolgirl75 in reply to mammadoveJan 22, 2012. 11:51 AM

I agree.

I am in the shed! (author) in reply to mammadoveJan 15, 2012. 2:15 AM

Thank you!

flyingpuppy says: Jan 20, 2012. 10:13 AM

If William Tell were a bird...

I am in the shed! (author) in reply to flyingpuppyJan 20, 2012. 11:20 AM

He could well be... now

hellolindsay says: Jan 20, 2012. 7:02 AM

Can you post a picture of a bird using it? I would love to see that.

I am in the shed! (author) in reply to hellolindsayJan 20, 2012. 9:44 AM

If I notice one, and happen to have a camera handy - or you could just make one and see for yourself :)

SIRJAMES09 says: Jan 19, 2012. 9:29 PM

This is just an Idea, a thought, whatever,..but when cutting the hole for the food, I think it would be safer to cut the round hole FIRST, then cut the board into the rectangle you speak of(step 3). my reasoning behind this is, before you cut the rectangle, you have more wood to hold onto....lest of coarse you clamp it down to the bench or something else that can not move & cause injury...then in that case, holding the wood to keep it from moving is no longer an issue.

Just trying to think safe Sir.

As far as the project itself, I love it!!! smashing job you have done here!! I know that I will make one for my many friends & family so they can enjoy the birds as I do.

TY for sharing Sir. :)

I am in the shed! (author) in reply to SIRJAMES09Jan 20, 2012. 5:34 AM

Well, I thought that most members would figure that themselves, I don't like to come across as condescending or patronising.

SIRJAMES09 in reply to I am in the shed!Jan 20, 2012. 8:42 AM

and you NEVER did not come across that way, but one has to understand that there are some people that have zero concept of safety, so sometimes we need to be that way, weather they like it or not. Always remember, C.T.A.(cover thy butt).

You have a wonderful project that I would love to own, was documented wonderfully,....I just can not think of the correct words to describe how much I loved reading about this.

TY for sharing Sir. :)