If your garden feels a little too quiet, it’s time to roll out the welcome mat—for birds. These 17 DIY bird feeders don’t just look charming, they attract a chorus of feathered friends that turn any yard into a living concert hall.
From rustic to whimsical, each project is easy to make, budget-friendly, and a hit with the local songbirds. Grab some scraps, get crafty, and let the music begin.
1. Pinecone Peanut Butter Delight
Gather pinecones during your next nature walk and transform them into irresistible bird treats! Tie a string around the top of each pinecone, then slather it with peanut butter using a butter knife. Roll the sticky pinecone in birdseed until completely covered.
Hang these tasty treasures from tree branches where you can easily watch the feeding frenzy. Birds particularly love these in winter when food is scarce. The natural shape of pinecones creates perfect nooks for seeds to nestle in, making it easier for small birds to perch and feast.
2. Orange Cup Feeders
After enjoying a juicy orange for breakfast, save those peels for the birds! Cut oranges in half, scoop out the fruit to eat, and poke three holes near the rim. Thread string through these holes, tie them together at the top, and fill the orange cup with birdseed.
The bright color naturally attracts curious birds, while the citrus scent keeps squirrels away. As an added bonus, orioles and tanagers might visit for the occasional nibble on the orange peel itself. These biodegradable feeders look charming hanging in clusters from trees.
3. Recycled Bottle Dispenser
Give plastic bottles new life as functional bird feeders! Wash a 2-liter soda bottle thoroughly and cut small holes (about the size of a quarter) on opposite sides near the bottom. Insert a wooden spoon or dowel through the bottle to create a perch directly under each hole.
Fill the bottle with birdseed, screw the cap on tight, and hang it from a branch using strong twine. The seed gradually dispenses as birds feed, preventing waste and keeping the seed dry during rain. Perfect for beginners, this project costs almost nothing and attracts a variety of seed-loving birds.
4. Tea Cup Garden Charm
Vintage teacups make whimsical feeders that add cottage-garden style to your yard! Find chipped or unused teacups at thrift stores, then attach them to their saucers using waterproof adhesive. Once dry, drill a small hole in the center of the saucer for drainage.
Fill the cup with birdseed and place it on a fence post, or hang the creation from a branch using chain or decorative ribbon threaded through additional drilled holes. Hummingbirds particularly enjoy sugar water served in colorful teacups. This feeder doubles as garden art, bringing both birds and beauty to your outdoor space.
5. Wooden Spoon Feeding Station
Round up those mismatched wooden spoons from your kitchen drawer and create a unique feeding station! Arrange 4-6 wooden spoons in a circle, handles pointing inward, and secure them together with twine or wire to form a basket-like structure.
Line the spoon bowl section with burlap or coconut fiber, then fill with suet, peanut butter, or seed mix. The natural wood attracts woodpeckers and nuthatches who appreciate the sturdy perch. Hang your creation from a branch using additional twine wrapped around the handle section.
6. Teapot Seed Dispenser
Old teapots make perfect bird feeders with their built-in spouts for seed dispensing! Choose a ceramic teapot with a lid, then fill it with birdseed through the top. The spout naturally controls seed flow, while the lid keeps everything dry during wet weather.
Mount your teapot on a wooden post using strong adhesive or wire it to a tree branch. For added charm, paint the teapot with outdoor-safe paint in bright colors. Chickadees and finches love these feeders, often perching right on the spout while enjoying their meal.
7. Coconut Shell Swing
After enjoying fresh coconut, transform the shell into a natural bird paradise! Cut a coconut in half, drain the liquid, and remove the meat for cooking. Drill three evenly spaced holes near the rim and thread weather-resistant cord through each hole.
Tie the cords together at the top and hang from a sturdy branch. Fill the shell with a mixture of birdseed, dried fruit, and nuts. The natural material provides excellent protection from the elements, while the curved shape allows smaller birds to feel safe while feeding. Bonus: the remaining coconut fibers make excellent nesting material!
8. Mason Jar Seed Dispenser
Mason jars aren’t just for preserves—they make fantastic bird feeders too! Attach a chicken feeder base (available at farm supply stores) to the mouth of a mason jar, or simply drill small holes in the metal lid. Fill the jar with your favorite birdseed mix.
Secure wire around the jar’s neck to create a hanger, then suspend it from a tree branch or shepherd’s hook. The clear glass lets you easily monitor seed levels, while the lid keeps everything dry. Cardinals especially love these feeders, their bright red feathers creating stunning contrast against the glass jar.
9. Wine Bottle Trough
Empty wine bottles transform into elegant feeding stations with minimal effort! Lay a clean, empty wine bottle on its side and carefully cut a long oval opening along one side using a glass cutting tool. Sand all edges until smooth to prevent bird injuries.
Mount the bottle horizontally on a wooden base using strong adhesive or specially designed bottle mounts. Fill with seed through the bottle neck, which also serves as a perfect perch. The glass design allows you to watch birds feeding inside the bottle, creating a fascinating display of bird behavior.
10. Bundt Pan Seed Wreath
Old bundt pans create beautiful seed wreaths that attract a variety of birds! Mix 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 3 tablespoons corn syrup, and 4 cups of birdseed in a bowl. Press this mixture firmly into a greased bundt pan and let it dry completely for 24-48 hours.
Once dry, carefully remove the wreath and hang it with weather-resistant ribbon. The unique shape provides multiple perching spots for birds to feed simultaneously. These wreaths also make thoughtful gifts for nature-loving friends! Replace them when they start to look weathered or when birds have eaten most of the seeds.
11. Log Cabin Feeder
Create a rustic feeding station using small branches from your yard! Collect straight sticks approximately 6-8 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter. Build a small square platform by alternating pairs of sticks in a log cabin style, securing each layer with waterproof wood glue.
Add a small roof using bark or popsicle sticks to protect the seed. Mount your creation on a fence post or hang it from a tree. The natural materials blend beautifully with your garden while providing multiple perching spots. Chickadees and titmice particularly enjoy hopping around these cabin-style feeders.
12. Gourd Bird Buffet
Dried gourds make natural, biodegradable feeders with tons of character! Select a large, fully dried gourd and cut a 2-3 inch circular opening in the side. Clean out all seeds and pulp, then drill several small drainage holes in the bottom.
Paint the exterior with non-toxic outdoor paint if desired, or leave it natural. Add a hanging hole at the top, thread with strong cord, and fill with birdseed. The curved shape provides shelter during feeding, making birds feel secure. As a bonus, when the gourd eventually breaks down, it returns to the earth without creating waste.
13. Cookie Cutter Seed Cakes
Transform birdseed into decorative hanging treats using cookie cutters! Melt 1/4 cup of gelatin in 1/2 cup of water, then mix in 3 cups of birdseed. Press this mixture firmly into metal cookie cutters placed on wax paper.
Before it sets, insert a looped piece of string at the top for hanging. Once completely dry (about 24 hours), pop the seed shapes out of the cutters. Stars, hearts, and bird shapes look especially charming hanging from tree branches! These seed cakes attract finches and chickadees who cling to the shapes while feeding.
14. Tin Can Seed Tower
Upcycle empty tin cans into a vertical feeding station! Collect 3-5 clean cans of varying sizes. Paint them with outdoor paint in bright colors to attract birds and prevent rusting. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of each can and a hanging hole at the top.
Stack the cans on a central dowel or threaded rod, securing with nuts and washers between each can. Fill each level with different types of seed to attract various bird species. Finches love nyjer seed in the top levels, while larger birds enjoy sunflower seeds in the bottom cans.
15. Lego Block Seed Dispenser
Kids will love helping create this playful feeder using Lego blocks! Build a small container using flat and regular Lego pieces, ensuring there are no gaps where seed could leak out. Create a roof with sloped pieces to keep rain out, and add small openings on the sides for seed access.
Attach a base plate to a wooden post using strong adhesive, then secure your Lego creation to this base. The colorful blocks naturally attract birds while bringing a touch of whimsy to your garden. This project combines building skills with bird watching, making it perfect for young nature enthusiasts.
16. Paper Plate Seed Spinner
Create a spinning feeder using items from your kitchen drawer! Take two paper plates and cut a 2-inch hole in the center of each. Cut the rims off both plates, then staple the plates together facing outward, creating a flying saucer shape with a hollow center.
Thread string through the center hole and tie a knot to prevent it from pulling through. Fill the space between plates with birdseed through small holes cut in the sides. As birds land and peck at the seed, the feeder gently spins, creating a moving target that challenges their coordination and keeps squirrels confused!
17. Terracotta Pot Tower
Stack terracotta pots into a multi-level feeding station! Gather 3-4 pots of decreasing sizes, plus matching saucers. Thread a metal rod through the drainage holes, securing with nuts and washers between each pot.
Place the pots upside-down, with saucers right-side-up on top of each pot to hold seed. Cement the bottom pot to a base for stability. The natural clay material weathers beautifully in the garden, developing a lovely patina over time. Different sized birds will naturally sort themselves among the various levels, creating a harmonious feeding hierarchy.