45 DIY Bird Feeder Ideas We Love for a Weekend Project

These DIY bird feeders are budget-friendly and will attract various birds to your yard. Whether you choose a hanging, standing, or tree-mounted bird feeder, you'll be able to enjoy watching new birds all year long.

Some of these DIY bird feeder projects consist of materials you can find right at home like plastic bottles, cartons, jars, and wood, so you can enjoy making one with your kids or the family for a weekend activity. While some ideas are squirrel-proof feeders, others welcome all critters to enjoy a meal.

Below, we've gathered 45 DIY bird feeder ideas to help you get started.

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Tea Cup Bird Feeder

A Cultivated Nest

Add some elegance to your yard or garden with a teacup bird feeder. A Cultivated Nest shows you how to attach one to a stake put into the ground. You can make this DIY bird feeder with just a teacup, copper pipe, and some glue in just a few minutes.
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Colorful Painted Bird Feeder

Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Here's a colorful painted bird feeder from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom that doubles as a bird feeder and also has a few DIY birdhouses. This free bird feeder plan only requires some glue, paint, and other elements you can find at a craft store—no tools are needed.
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Cardboard Tube Bird Feeder

Attachment Mummy

This simple bird feeder idea from Leta from Attachment Mummy is easy enough that the kids can make it all on their own. A cardboard tube holds the birdseed while a bamboo skewer is used as a resting perch for the birds.
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Modern Macrame Bird Feeder

Delia Creates

Delia Creates has used some simple macrame knots to create a hanging bird feeder that has a modern feel to it. The birdseed sits in a terra cotta plant saucer that's hung from the macrame rope. There's also a wooden dowel and beads to finish it up in style.

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Plastic Dishware Bird Feeder

DIY Candy

This DIY bird feeder might look like it's made of glass, but they're actually decorative dishes made up of plastic. These were purchased from the dollar store, making this a very budget-friendly project. DIY Candy shows you how to make it in this simple tutorial.
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Suet Feeder in a Coffee Mug

Sadie Seasongoods

Sadie Seasongoods has taken a pretty coffee mug and filled it with suet. A stick is inserted into the suet, giving the birds a place to perch while they enjoy their meal. It can then be hung by the mug's handle on any tree branch in your yard.
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Birdseed Ice Ornaments

Hello Glow

Feed the birds during the colder months with these birdseed ice ornaments. Cranberries are also a decorative element so they look colorful hanging from your trees. Hello Glow shows you how to use ice cube trays to create these round and square birdseed ornaments.
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Macrame Hummingbird Feeder

Lovely Indeed

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, consider putting up a hummingbird feeder. This one is a glass store-bought feeder with a DIY twist. A rope with macrame knots holds up the feeder. The macrame hanger is then spray-painted to create this lovely ombre effect.

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Vintage Mason Jar Bird Feeder

Mad In Crafts

Add a vintage look to your DIY bird feeder like Mad In Crafts did with hers. In less than a minute, you can take a mason jar and attach a feeder for the birds to enjoy. This is a wonderful upcycling project that will feed the birds all season long.
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Natural Bird Feeder

My Journey to Green

This DIY bird feeder has a roof for shelter and also includes a perch. My Journey to Green suggests adding decorations to your bird feeder to make it your own. Here, she's added birch bark to the roof.
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Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Fireflies & Mud Pies

Fireflies & Mud Pies has a sweet DIY bird feeder that keeps it natural by using a pine cone. This looks great hung up in a tree, or even sitting on a fence or railing.
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Suet Plug Bird Feeder

Our Recipes for Success

If you're looking for a wooden bird feeder plan, then look no further than this one from Our Recipes for Success. It uses some scrap 4x4s to make a suet plug bird feeder that even has a roof to keep the birds dry. There's another feeder idea here using a tree branch that you won't want to miss.

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Canning Jar Lid Bird Feeder

Juggling Act Mama

Wide-mouth canning jar lids are painted colorfully and then filled with birdseed in this idea from Juggling Act Mama. This simple DIY bird feeder project is fun to make and will add some color to your trees and yard this spring.
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Wine Bottle Bird Feeder

ChickenStreet

ChickenStreet shows you how to build a wine bottle bird feeder that uses just one plank of wood along with an empty wine bottle. All the directions are included so you can build your own.
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Cookie Cutter Bird Seed Feeders

Mama Papa Bubba

Mama Papa Bubba shows you how to get the kids involved with making it, so they can be a part of the fun. It's hung up by some twine and can be placed in any of your trees.
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Hummingbird Jar Feeder

Reaching Happy

With just a few supplies you can make this hummingbird feeder out of a jar. Reaching Happy shows you how to make this simple feeder, that's both minimal and modern. You could even use it to create a whole hummingbird garden.

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Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder

Welcome to Nana's

Shelly Carlson from Welcome to Nana's has designed a bird feeder that uses a recycled plastic water bottle to hold the seed. A few wooden spoons are inserted so the birds have a nice place to perch while enjoying their feast.
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Orange Bird Feeder

Messy Little Monster

Using natural ingredients, Messy Little Monster shows you how to use orange halves as a bird feeder. You can use twine to hang up a few in a tree that you can view from your window.
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Bird Seed Wreath

Koti Beth

Koti Beth shows you how to create a birdseed wreath that's wonderful for the holidays or any time of year. You'll need a Bundt pan or another type of pan with a hole in the center to make it. You can customize it by adding nuts, raisins, or cranberries to the bird seed.
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Bird Feeder Sconce

Raise Your Garden

Laura Sproull of Raise Your Garden has turned a wall sconce for candles into one that you can fill with birdseed and attach to the side of your house. All you need to do is fill up the glass containers and hang it up.

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Sea Shell Bird Feeder

Darcy & Brian

You can use just about anything as a base for a DIY bird feeder and this one uses a clam shell. Darcy & Brian show you how to use yarn to hold up the shell and make a hanger.
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Squash Bird Feeder

Daisies & Pie

Daisies & Pie has chosen a unique holder for birdseed, a squash. Simply cut the squash in half and then hang it up with some string. Fill it with the seed and you're ready to welcome some feathered friends.
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Scrap Wood Bird Feeder

@homemade_happiness / Instagram

This DIY bird feeder uses a combination of scrap wood, sticks, and twigs. The result is a rustic feeder that brings a special charm to your outside area. The birds are sure to feel right at home in it.
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Clay Pot Lighthouse Bird Feeder

Mod Podge Rocks

Mod Podge Rocks has a tutorial to create a unique bird feeder that resembles a lighthouse. It uses terracotta pots, paint, and glue to make it. This bird feeder is a great beginner project because it's so simple that even the kids can make it.

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Rustic Two-Tier Bird Feeder

A Crafty Mix

A Crafty Mix has made a DIY bird feeder out of untreated scrap wood. It has two shelves for birdseed, suet, and fruit. A half of a coconut hangs from the first tier and holds the birdseed. Stencils have been used on the wood to give it a rustic look.
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Ice Cream Cone Bird Feeder

Momma Lew

Here's a DIY bird feeder from Momma Lew that's easy enough, so the kids can make it in a matter of minutes. There are only a few supplies needed and it all starts with an ice cream waffle cone.
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Mason Jar Bird Feeder

Mother Daughter Projects

With a quick visit to the dollar store, you can gather up all the materials you need to make this mason jar bird feeder that will add quite the rustic look to your porch or tree. Mother Daughter Projects shows you what to buy to make it.
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Twig Bird Feeder

Family Focus Blog

This DIY bird feeder is built from items found around the yard. You'll gather up some twigs and then use some cardboard and glue to put it all together. Family Focus Blog has all the details on how you can make your own.

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Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder

Made With Happy

Here's a craft that the kids are going to love. Made With Happy has all the details on how to use popsicle sticks to create a unique bird feeder. The popsicle sticks can even be painted to add a pop of color to your yard.
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Pumpkin Bird Feeder

The Gingerbread House

The Gingerbread House had an idea on how to recycle a leftover pumpkin, and it turned out wonderfully. Baker's twine was used to create a little bit of whimsy in this DIY bird feeder. Gourds can also be used if you have them on hand.
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Hanging Wire Basket Bird Feeder

Just a Little Creativity

This DIY hanging bird feeder from Just a Little Creativity was built with items from the thrift store and dollar store. With a little spray paint and some chandelier beads, this feeder went from dull to stunning.
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Fairy Lighthouse Bird Feeder

A Crafty Mix

This lighthouse from A Crafty Mix doubles as a fairy garden and a bird feeder. Various materials are used to create this DIY bird feeder and there's even a place to hang some fruits and vegetables from. It's a one-of-a-kind feeder that the kids can help you make.

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Apple Bird Feeder

Rainy Day Mum

Using almost all edible supplies, this DIY bird feeder from Rainy Day Mum all starts with an apple slice. This is a great project for kids but adults will have fun making them too.
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Decorative Candle Holder Bird Feeder

Surviving a Teacher's Salary

Surviving a Teacher's Salary has upcycled a decorative candle holder and turned it into a buffet for the birds. The glass candle holders are filled with birdseed, and since they're removable, they're very easy to clean. You can even paint the holder to create a unique look for your yard.
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Pot Lid Bird Feeder

Sadie Seasongoods

Take a trip to the thrift store and pick up some used pot lids to make this DIY bird feeder. Sadie Seasongoods shows you how to disassemble the lids and then put them back together again to form this unique bird feeder.
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Dried Gourd Bird Feeder

Kitchen Counter Chronicle

Kitchen Counter Chronicle has turned a dried gourd into a bird feeder. A drill is needed for this project for the wire to attach and hang it from the tree. It's a rustic and natural way to attract birds to your yard.

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Candy Jar Bird Feeder

Second Chance to Dream

Second Chance to Dream has put together a vintage bird feeder by reassembling a glass candy jar and adding a few other materials. Glass marbles and beads add a special touch to this DIY bird feeder.
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Napkin Holder Bird Feeder

Just a Little Creativity

Just a Little Creativity visited the thrift store and picked up a wooden napkin holder with the idea of turning it into a bird feeder. It was then painted with chalk paint which was used to get the beautiful blue color that you see here.
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Picture Frame Bird Feeder

In the Art Room

Janell Hartle from In the Art Room decided to make a platform bird feeder using a picture frame to attract birds to her yard. It uses a few supplies that you can pick up at the craft store and hardware store. Use paint or markers to create a colorful design before hanging.
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Duct Tape Bird Feeder

Honestly Modern

Duct tape can be used for just about everything, and Honestly Modern has used it to create a DIY bird feeder. The colorful tape has been wrapped around a carton, with an added popsicle that acts as a perch for the birds to take a rest while they eat.

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Colorful DIY Bird Feeder

The Thrifty Apartment

The Thrifty Apartment has created a DIY bird feeder that gives the birds plenty of shelter if it's raining or snowing. It's built of popsicle sticks and twine is used to hang it from a branch.
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Paper Plate Bird Feeder

With Love, Ima

Kristi Link-Crosier from With Love, Ima has the perfect springtime craft for the little ones. This DIY bird feeder uses a simple paper plate as the tray. The paper plate can be decorated however you like, here, crayons and beads have been used to add some color.
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Milk Jug Bird Feeder

@early_years_play_with_eva / Instagram

You may want to keep squirrels out of your garden, but they also can be a lot of fun to watch. This bird feeder is made out of a plastic milk jug and has enough room that the squirrels can enjoy a snack too. Chalk pens were used to decorate the outside, giving the kids a way to get involved.
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Hummingbird Feeder and Heater Crate

Funky Junk Interiors

As the weather gets cooler, and before the hummingbirds migrate south, they would appreciate some extra warmth. This DIY hummingbird feeder includes a hummingbird feeder that has been hung inside a heated crate. Funky Junk Interiors has all the instructions for this advanced beginner project.

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Pallet DIY Bird Feeder

Unique Creations by Anita

Here's a DIY bird feeder made out of a wooden pallet. You'll need to take it apart and reassemble it and Unique Creations by Anita shows you how. This project won't cost you a thing if you can find a free pallet sitting around.

FAQ

How do you feed birds without a bird feeder?

There are quite a few ways to feed birds without a bird feeder. You can sprinkle birdseed on just about any surface. Make sure it's visible so you can enjoy the show.
You can also smear suet or peanut butter on branches. Hummingbirds love to get the nectar from certain garden flowers so consider planting those. Other birds also like the seeds from native grasses.
What is a good alternative to bird food?

Birds like to eat other things than bird food. You can put out suet, mealworms, stale bread, peanut butter, jelly, fruits like apples and pears, vegetable seeds, unsalted nuts, cereal oats, and even plain popcorn.
Is it OK to put bird seed on the ground?

It's generally fine to put birdseed on the ground with one exception. If the ground is wet from rain or snow, the bird seed could rot and be difficult for the birds to find. If this is the case, consider tossing some seeds on a surface, like a patio or picnic table.