How to Make Your Own Bird Feeder

Bird feeding is a very rewarding pastime which a huge number of Americans are taking to. Homeowners like to enjoy the calm, comforting experience which the presence of birds provides. The best way to attract birds is with a bird feeder or many if your property is large enough. Unfortunately though, while you might strive to attract the smaller and more decorative bird species, this garden accessory also pulls in large, aggressive birds, and squirrels. Large birds and squirrels deter the smaller varieties of birds which most bird enthusiasts try to attract.

Squirrels thrive on the same sort of foods that birds like, and gather wherever it is easily available. The worst part about squirrels though, is that they are very destructive. They are able to chew through almost anything to get at food. In order to keep squirrels off, bird feeding accessories manufacturers are constantly after new and more failsafe methods to squirrel-proof their products. One simple way is to use bird food that is spiked with spices and pepper. While birds are unaffected by this addition, squirrels cannot stand spices and pepper which act as an effective deterrent. Pre-mixed bird food is available at many supermarkets and pet stores.

Many homeowners prefer to make feeders rather than buy something off-the-shelf. They come in a vast variety of designs with detailed instructions available on the internet on how to make your own bird feeder. One of the easiest to make is a recycled bottle bird feeder. This is actually a tube feeder which will cost you next to nothing to make. You will need an old plastic bottle - a two-liter soda bottle would be perfect - some string or an old coat hanger, and some chopsticks or wooden barbecue skewers. Make holes across the bottles about 1 ½"from the bottom through which you pass the chopstick or skewer, which acts as a perch. You could repeat the process about 6" above, and at right angles to the first, so you have an additional perch. Make small holes for feed ports above the perches through which the birds will be able to access their feed. These feed ports must be just large enough to let your seed pass through without allowing it to spill out. Fill the bottle with birdseed, tie the top with string or the opened coat hanger and suspend it from a nearby branch. Your very own recycled bottle bird feeder is now open for business.