Construct a Wooden Bird Feeder
If you love woodwork and are looking for a construction project, here’s a great one. A bird feeder would make an awesome gift for anyone who loves nature, birds or gardens.
HERE is our Nature Connector with lots of other more simple ways to make bird feeders, if you’re not wanting a woodwork project.
Before making your bird feeder, we have some tips for you. You could start by planting trees or shrubs that attract birds, but it is nice to have a way of feeding them extra at times when they may struggle to find enough food. Remember to think about predators when setting up your bird feeder. Hanging bird feeders in trees might not work for you, if you have a cat that sits in the branches. You might need a free standing feeder. Feeders with bird seed and wheat are great to feed sparrows and most finches, but are not the best option if you want to attract native birds. Sugar syrup will attract tūī, bellbirds and silvereyes. You can make it easily by dissolving 1 cup of sugar in 1 litre of water. It is a good idea to attach a dish for sugar syrup to your bird feeder to attract these native birds. Song thrush, blackbird, sparrows and silvereyes love banana, apple and pear. Tūī and bellbirds will also sip the juice from oranges and mandarins. You could add a place for fruit to your bird feeder too. Birds do seem to prefer the fruit cut in half, as they often don’t eat the skin! We’ve had lots more luck with apple if we cut it up.
Click HERE to find step by step instructions for the amazing creation below, which supplies syrup, fruit and seed! Click on the photo to download the pdf.
Click HERE to find plans for making 20 different kinds of wooden bird feeders.
Below there are some different types of wooden bird feeders. Click on a photo to go to the original web page showing instructions and plans. Remember to adjust the design to allow for syrup and fruit if possible!