Your home is full of hidden treasures that birds can’t resist. From old fruit bowls to leftover string, everyday items lying around the house can bring color, song, and fluttering wings right to your backyard.
These 17 common things can turn any yard into a bird paradise — no fancy gadgets, no extra spending, just smart, simple ideas that work. Get ready to roll out the welcome mat for your new feathered guests!
1. Orange Halves for Orioles
Cut an orange in half and watch orioles appear like magic! These bright birds can’t resist the sweet, juicy fruit. Simply place the orange halves cut-side up on a platform feeder or skewer them onto tree branches. The vibrant color attracts orioles from surprising distances.
During migration season, these tropical-looking birds will make a special stop in your yard for this treat. Replace the oranges every few days to keep them fresh and appealing.
2. Yarn Scraps for Nest Building
Those leftover bits of yarn from craft projects make perfect nesting material for birds. Cut cotton or wool yarn into 4-6 inch pieces and drape them over bushes or tree branches during spring nesting season. Birds like chickadees, finches, and robins will collect these colorful strands to weave into their nests.
Avoid synthetic yarns that might harm baby birds. Natural fibers absorb moisture and provide insulation for delicate eggs and hatchlings.
3. Shallow Pie Tins as Bird Baths
Metal pie tins from the kitchen cabinet create perfect shallow bird baths that attract dozens of species. Fill a clean tin with fresh water and place it on a stump or secure it to a deck railing where birds can easily access it.
Birds need water not just for drinking but also for bathing to maintain healthy feathers. The shallow depth prevents drowning while allowing smaller birds to wade safely. Add a few pebbles for perching spots and watch the bathing party begin!
4. Pine Cones Smeared with Peanut Butter
Gather pine cones from your yard and transform them into protein-packed bird feeders. Spread peanut butter generously into all the nooks and crannies using a butter knife. Roll the sticky cones in birdseed for an extra treat birds can’t resist.
Hang these treats from tree branches using twine or string. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees will cling to the cones while enjoying this high-energy snack. During winter months, this food source becomes especially valuable when natural foods are scarce.
5. Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
Don’t toss those cardboard toilet paper tubes! Spread peanut butter on the outside of the roll, then roll it in birdseed until completely covered. Slide the tube onto a branch where birds can perch and peck. For a different approach, fill the tubes with dryer lint during spring.
Hang these stuffed rolls in trees as ready-made nesting material. Birds will pull out bits of lint to line their nests, making them soft and cozy for eggs and babies.
6. Eggshells for Calcium
Instead of throwing eggshells in the trash, save them for your feathered visitors. Rinse shells thoroughly, bake them at 250°F for 10 minutes to sterilize, then crush them into small pieces. Sprinkle these calcium-rich fragments on a platform feeder or directly on the ground.
Female birds especially need calcium during egg-laying season. The crushed shells help them produce strong eggshells for their own nests. As an added bonus, some birds use tiny shell fragments in their nest construction for extra strength.
7. Overripe Fruit from the Fruit Bowl
Spotted bananas and mushy berries might not appeal to humans anymore, but birds love them! Place overripe fruit on a platform feeder or skewer chunks onto branches. Tanagers, waxwings, and mockingbirds will flock to these sweet offerings.
The natural sugars provide quick energy, especially important during migration seasons. Remove any moldy portions before putting fruit out. During hot weather, offer fruit in the morning so it doesn’t ferment in the afternoon sun, which could be harmful to birds.
8. Old Wooden Spoons as Perches
Wooden spoons with worn handles make perfect perches for bird feeders. Drill holes through the handles and thread string through to create hanging spots near existing feeders. Birds appreciate having a place to land before approaching food.
The smooth wood provides comfortable footing for tiny claws. Position several spoons at different heights to accommodate various bird sizes. Some birds prefer higher perches where they can scan for predators, while others feel safer at lower levels with quick access to ground cover.
9. Coffee Grounds for Worm Attraction
Used coffee grounds work magic in attracting earthworms to your yard, which in turn brings robin and thrush species. Sprinkle cooled grounds around garden beds or mix them into mulch. The grounds gradually decompose, enriching soil and creating ideal conditions for worms.
Birds that feed on ground insects will discover this buffet and return regularly. The mild acidity also benefits many garden plants. Apply a thin layer rather than thick piles to prevent mold growth, especially in rainy climates.
10. Mesh Produce Bags as Suet Holders
Those mesh bags that hold onions or citrus fruits make excellent suet feeders. Fill the clean bags with homemade suet (a mixture of rendered fat, seeds, and nuts) or store-bought suet cakes. Tie the top securely and hang from a branch.
The mesh allows birds to cling while pecking at the high-energy food. Woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches especially love suet during cold months. In summer, switch to no-melt recipes that won’t spoil in heat or use the bags for nesting material instead.
11. Plastic Bottles as Seed Dispensers
Clean plastic bottles transform into perfect bird feeders with minimal effort. Cut small holes (about 1/4 inch) near the bottom of the bottle, fill with birdseed, and hang horizontally from a branch. The seeds will gradually dispense as birds peck.
For a different design, cut larger “windows” on the sides and insert small dowels or pencils below the openings as perches. Cover sharp edges with duct tape to prevent injuries. These feeders keep seed dry during rainy weather and can be easily refilled through the bottle opening.
12. Dryer Lint in Mesh Bags
Collect dryer lint in a mesh bag (like those from produce) and hang it from trees in early spring. Birds will pull bits through the mesh for soft nest lining material. This fluffy insulation keeps eggs warm and baby birds cozy.
Only use lint from natural fabrics like cotton, avoiding synthetic materials that might contain chemicals harmful to birds. Hang several bags around your yard to accommodate multiple nesting pairs. Watching birds collect the colorful fluff provides entertainment while helping them create perfect nurseries.
13. Tin Cans as Hanging Planters
Clean tin cans become perfect planters for bird-friendly flowers. Punch drainage holes in the bottom, fill with soil, and plant seeds like sunflowers, zinnias, or cosmos. Attach wire handles and hang from fence posts or shepherd’s hooks. As flowers bloom, they’ll produce seeds that attract finches, chickadees, and cardinals.
The bright colors also draw hummingbirds and butterflies. Position these mini-gardens at different heights around your yard to create a vertical feeding station that birds will visit throughout the growing season.
14. Paper Plates as Seed Trays
Paper plates make instant bird feeders that cost almost nothing. Poke four small holes around the edge, thread string through to create hanging loops, and fill with a variety of seeds. The slight rim keeps seeds from spilling too quickly. These biodegradable feeders work perfectly for temporary feeding stations or when introducing birds to a new area of your yard.
Ground-feeding birds appreciate these plates placed on stumps or low tables. During migration seasons, set up several plates with different seed types to attract a wider variety of birds.
15. Old Teacups as Water Sources
Chipped teacups from the back of your cabinet create charming mini-bird baths. Attach cups to saucers using waterproof adhesive, then secure to fence posts or stumps. Fill with fresh water daily to attract birds needing a quick drink.
The shallow depth is perfect for smaller birds like finches and wrens. During hot summer days, place several cups in shady spots around your yard. Some birds will visit water sources more readily than feeders, making this an excellent way to introduce birds to your yard.
16. Grapefruit Halves as Seed Bowls
After enjoying a juicy grapefruit for breakfast, save the peel for the birds! Scoop out any remaining fruit and fill the natural bowl with birdseed. The citrus scent attracts certain species while the bright color makes the feeder easy to spot.
Hang these biodegradable feeders using three pieces of string attached to the rim. As the peel dries, it becomes stronger and lasts several weeks before naturally decomposing. Cardinals and jays particularly enjoy these unique feeding stations, often returning multiple times per day.
17. Muffin Tins for Multiple Seeds
An old muffin tin creates a buffet-style bird feeder offering different seeds in each cup. Fill the compartments with various options like sunflower seeds, millet, nyjer seeds, and safflower. Attach chains or rope to the corners for hanging. This approach helps you discover which seeds attract different birds to your yard. Some species might prefer one type while avoiding others.
The metal construction stands up to weather and squirrels better than plastic alternatives. Place the tin where you can easily observe which cups empty fastest.