Make an Easy Bird Feeder.

by I am in the shed!

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Intro: Make an Easy Bird Feeder.

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

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

STEP 2: Take a Suitable Piece of Board..

This is 20mm softwood from an old shelf, although hardwood is obviously better.
Mark out a rectangle 160mm x 140mm and find the center by drawing lines from corner to corner,
marking where they cross.
Use a compass to mark a 90mm diameter circle

STEP 3: Next...

Cut out the rectangle, then cut out the circle using a scroll saw or fret saw - I'm using a holesaw here.

STEP 4:

File or sand the rough edges.
Drill a hole in the middle below the large hole the same size as the dowel and push or tap the dowel through the small hole so that it protrudes equally both sides, and knock in a panel pin to hold it in place.

STEP 5: Then...

Drill through each side of the 'frame' half way across the large hole using a 2mm drill - or the thickness of the wire.

STEP 6: Now for the Top...

Take your piece of branchwood and saw it in half lengthways, lay one half down flat and drill a 4mm hole approximately 40mm from each end along the center, then chamfer the ends.

STEP 7: Now...

Using two screws fix this along the top edge overhanging approx 10mm each end, fit a screweye or staple into the top at the center.

STEP 8:

Now bend a loop in the end of the wire and cut the wire 140mm from where the loop finishes - this is the pin or skewer and should be a fairly tight fit through the two side holes, if needed slightly bend the tip to tighten the fit.

You may want to treat this with a weather resistant finish, but it should last a couple of years without - then you can make another!
**If you do treat it make sure it is safe for creatures.

Now apply an apple or other similar object which birds like to eat.

26 Comments

mxx 6 years ago

Very detailed and useful instructable! I'm going to make this feeder without further ado!

VictorFreeze 8 years ago

Wow, this is awesome. I've been looking for a fun little project to do with my kid. This going to be our next one. Thanks!

Buzzinski 12 years ago

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 12 years ago

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 12 years ago

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! 12 years ago

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

pisacano 12 years ago

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

TheSlapster 12 years ago

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! 12 years ago

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 12 years ago

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

hellolindsay 12 years ago

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

I am in the shed! 12 years ago

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

SIRJAMES09 12 years ago

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! 12 years ago

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

SIRJAMES09 12 years ago

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. :)
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