Top 15 DIY Bird Feeder Ideas [From Waste]

Are you looking to bring more feathered friends to your backyard while also getting crafty? Bird feeders are a fantastic way to attract birds and add a touch of homemade charm to your garden. 

If you’ve been wondering how to make your own bird feeders, you’re in the right place. 

Here are 15 creative DIY bird feeder ideas that are easy, fun, and perfect for any skill level.

DIY Bird Feeder Ideas

A bird feeder is a wonderful addition to any garden, bringing joy and beauty to your outdoor space. It is a simple device that holds bird food, attracting various bird species to your area.

Bird feeders come in many shapes and sizes, and can be filled with seeds, nuts, or suet.

Watching birds visit the feeder provides endless entertainment and can foster a love for nature. It helps birds find food, especially during colder months.

1. Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Let’s start with classic pine cone bird feeders. You can easily create this by collecting some pine cones during your next nature walk. 

Once you have them, spread peanut butter all over the cone and then roll it in birdseed. 

Hang your finished feeder from a tree branch using a piece of string or twine. This project is perfect for getting the kids involved and teaching them about nature.

2. Mason Jar Bird Feeder

Turn an ordinary mason jar into a beautiful bird feeder. Simply fill the jar with birdseed, then attach a feeding tray to the bottom using a strong adhesive.

You can use a small dish or even a wide bottle cap as the tray. 

Finally, secure a wire around the jar’s neck to create a hanger. Hang it in your garden and watch as the birds flock to your new creation.

3. Teacup Bird Feeder

If you have an old teacup and saucer lying around, give them a new life as a bird feeder. 

Glue the teacup to the saucer at an angle so that the cup can hold the birdseed while the saucer catches any spills. 

Attach a string to the handle of the teacup for hanging. This feeder not only provides food for the birds but also adds a touch of vintage charm to your garden.

4. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder

Repurpose a plastic bottle into a simple bird feeder. Cut small holes around the bottle for the birds to access the seeds, and insert wooden spoons or dowels through the bottle to create perches. 

Fill the bottle with birdseed, secure the cap, and hang it from a tree using a piece of string.

This eco-friendly project is a great way to recycle plastic and help your feathered friends.

5. Orange Peel Bird Feeder

An orange peel makes a biodegradable and fun bird feeder. Cut an orange in half, scoop out the fruit, and fill the empty peel with birdseed.

Use a skewer to poke holes near the top and thread some string through to create a hanger. 

Hang your orange peel feeder from a tree branch and enjoy watching birds enjoy their citrus-inspired snack.

6. Milk Carton Bird Feeder

Don’t throw away your empty milk cartons! Instead, turn them into bird feeders. 

Clean out the carton and cut out a large opening on one side. Paint and decorate the outside if you like, then fill the bottom with birdseed. 

Punch a hole in the top, thread through some string, and hang your feeder in a tree. This project is perfect for upcycling and adding some color to your backyard.

7. Coconut Shell Bird Feeder

A coconut shell can make a rustic and durable bird feeder. Simply cut a coconut in half and remove the meat. 

Drill small holes near the top of the shell halves and thread some string through to create a hanger. 

Fill the shells with birdseed and hang them from a tree. This feeder is sturdy and can withstand the elements, making it a great choice for year-round use.

8. Wine Bottle Bird Feeder

Transform an old wine bottle into a stylish bird feeder. Clean out the bottle and remove the label. 

Use a wooden or metal frame to hold the bottle upside down, allowing the birdseed to flow into a small dish at the bottom. 

Hang the feeder from a tree or porch using a sturdy wire or chain. This elegant feeder is sure to be a conversation starter among your garden visitors.

9. Birdhouse Feeder Combo

Combine a birdhouse and feeder into one functional and attractive structure. Build or buy a small birdhouse and attach a platform to the front or side for the birdseed. 

This way, birds can find both shelter and food in one place. 

Paint and decorate the birdhouse to match your garden’s theme. Hang it from a tree or mount it on a post to attract a variety of birds.

10. Cookie Cutter Bird Feeder

Create fun-shaped bird feeders using cookie cutters. Mix gelatin and bird seed, then press the mixture into cookie cutters. Insert a small stick or straw to create a hole for hanging. 

Allow the mixture to harden, then remove the cookie cutters and thread some string through the holes. Hang these adorable feeders in your garden to add a whimsical touch.

11. Pumpkin Bird Feeder

Don’t let your Halloween pumpkins go to waste, turn them into bird feeders. Cut a pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds. 

Fill the hollowed-out pumpkin with birdseed and use a skewer to poke holes near the top for hanging. 

Thread some string through the holes and hang the pumpkin halves from a tree. This feeder is perfect for fall and provides a festive treat for the birds.

12. Bundt Pan Bird Feeder

An old bundt pan can be repurposed into a unique bird feeder. Fill the pan with birdseed and hang it from a tree using sturdy twine or chain. 

The shape of the pan allows multiple birds to feed at once, and the central hole makes it easy to hang. This feeder is both functional and decorative, adding a quirky touch to your garden.

13. Egg Carton Bird Feeder

Recycle your egg cartons into bird feeders. Cut the carton in half lengthwise and fill each compartment with birdseed.

Use a skewer to poke holes in the sides and thread some string through to create a hanger. 

Hang the carton from a tree branch and let the birds enjoy their easy-to-access buffet. This project is quick, simple, and a great way to reuse materials.

14. Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder

Get crafty with popsicle sticks to create a charming bird feeder. Glue the sticks together to form a small box with an open top. 

Attach a string or wire to the corners for hanging. Fill the box with birdseed and hang it from a tree or porch. This feeder is lightweight, easy to make, and a fun project to do with kids.

15. Suet Cake Feeder

Make your own suet cakes to attract a variety of birds. Melt some suet or lard and mix in birdseed, nuts, and dried fruit. 

Pour the mixture into molds or small containers and let it harden. Once solid, remove the suet cakes from the molds and place them in a suet feeder or mesh bag. 

Hang the feeder in your garden and watch as birds flock to this high-energy treat.