Winter is the time of year when we get out the special bird feeding equipment. This season has given us with a new visitor, Baltimore Orioles! They are not common here and birding books suggest putting out orange slices if you want them to stick around.

We have a wrought iron orange slice holder but it is heavy and not very efficient for orange distribution. (And we can't have inefficient orange slice holders, now can we! ...Of course not!)

This is a super easy build that will recycle/re-purpose some packaging material and take less than 5 minutes to assemble. (It is also Kuhlmom's first Instructable!)

Safety note! This an easy project but you should always use tools and materials as intended. Knives and wire cutters can sever fingers so be careful. Get a buddy/partner/ friend to help if you ever need a third hand. The last thing you want is a 5 minute project turning into a 3 hour Emergency Room visit!

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Toy Packaging wire and perferated plastic strips

Wire cutter / pliers with a bypass cutting section

Scissors

Cutting Board or a good cutting surface

Oranges

Step 2: Assembly

Take a long piece of wire and fold it in half.

Take a piece of plastic and use the hole to string through the wire half way and back through in the opposite direction.

Take a second piece of plastic and do the same thing only placing it 90 degree off/ perpendicular to the first piece to form a cross.

Cut your oranges in to slices or slice off the sides enough to expose the insides. *NOTE* Don't cut the orange vertically! Apparently the birds don't like to fight to get through the membranes! You will need to cut where the stem attaches and on the bottom to give them a good cross section to eat from. The diagram shows the correct picture of how the orange should look.

Cut 2 holes in both ends of the orange and run the wire through the middle of these holes. (Cutting 2 holes on each end ensures that the orange won't fall off the feeder once the birds start removing the orange innards.) Repeat until there is enough room to make a loop to hang the feeder.

Step 3: Let the Feast Begin!

Hang the feeder in an open area and enjoy the show. Orioles are not the only birds that enjoy this feeder but they are definitely one of the most colorful.

There are many ways to improve on this feeder and we look forward to hearing your ideas!

Enjoy your build and the birds.

V/R,

-Kuhldad, Kuhlmom, and Kuhldude