If you’ve ever watched birds fluttering around your yard and thought, I wish I could give them a little more love, well, here’s your chance. Making your own bird feeders is a fun, rewarding way to invite nature to your doorstep. Plus, you get to repurpose materials, save money, and unleash your creativity all at once!
Whether you’re into upcycling, woodworking, or you prefer simple, eco-friendly projects, we’ve got 50 bird feeder ideas to get you started.
1. Mason Jar Feeder
A classic! Turn an empty mason jar upside down, attach it to a wooden platform, and fill it with seeds. Birds will feed from the base while you get to enjoy the vintage charm of a jar feeder.
2. Teacup Feeder
Got an old teacup and saucer? Glue them together, hang from a tree, and voila—a dainty bird feeder straight out of a fairytale.
3. Coconut Shell Feeder
Cut a coconut shell in half, scoop out the contents, and hang it with twine. Fill it with birdseed for a natural, eco-friendly feeder.
4. Wine Bottle Feeder
Mount an empty wine bottle upside down with a small hole in the stopper for a slow, gravity-fed birdseed dispenser.
5. Tin Can Feeder
Clean an empty tin can, decorate it with paint, and hang it on its side. Fill it with seeds and watch birds enjoy the feast from the cozy nook.
6. Pinecone Feeder
A kid favorite: coat a pinecone in peanut butter and roll it in birdseed. Hang it with string for an easy, quick feeder.
7. Old Boot Feeder
Got a worn-out boot? Nail it to a tree and fill it with seeds for a quirky, rustic feeder with character.
8. Plate and Bowl Feeder
Glue an old plate to the top of a matching or mismatched bowl, then hang it or place it on a stand for a bird dining set.
9. Cedar Block Feeder
Drill small holes into a cedar block and fill them with suet or peanut butter, creating a bird buffet that will last.
10. Milk Carton Feeder
Cut a hole into an empty milk carton, decorate it however you like, and hang it from a tree. It’s easy, quick, and perfect for a kids’ craft project.
11. Orange Peel Feeder
Halve an orange, scoop out the inside, and fill the peel with birdseed. Hang it up for a fresh and fruity feeder option.
12. Log Suet Feeder
Drill holes into a thick log and stuff them with suet to attract woodpeckers and other birds that love pecking at tree bark.
13. Colander Feeder
Attach a colander to a chain or sturdy string, fill it with seeds, and hang it up. The holes in the colander make for an easy-drain feeder that’s perfect for rainy days.
14. Soda Bottle Feeder
Make holes in the sides of an empty soda bottle, add small dowels for perches, and fill it with seed for a quick and easy feeder.
15. Cupcake Tin Feeder
Mount an old cupcake tin onto a board or hang it by chains, filling each cup with birdseed. Birds will love their personal serving dishes.
16. Gourd Bird Feeder
Hollow out a large gourd, cut out feeding holes, and hang it up for a natural-looking feeder that blends in with the environment.
17. License Plate Feeder
Bend an old license plate into a U-shape, attach it to a base, and you’ve got a sturdy, fun feeder with a retro flair.
18. Cookie Cutter Suet Feeders
Mix birdseed into melted suet, press into cookie cutters, and hang the solidified shapes from trees or hooks.
19. Picture Frame Feeder
Turn an old picture frame into a hanging tray feeder. Simply attach a base to the bottom and fill it with birdseed.
20. Bamboo Pole Feeder
Use a hollow bamboo pole, cutting out small sections to serve as feeding spots. Hang it vertically for a unique, nature-inspired feeder.
21. Birdhouse Feeder Combo
Combine a birdhouse with a feeding tray attached to the side, giving birds both a home and a meal in one spot.
22. Egg Carton Feeder
Cut up an egg carton, attach some string, and fill the compartments with seeds for a fast, biodegradable feeder.
23. Terracotta Pot Feeder
Repurpose a small terracotta pot by turning it upside down, securing it on a platform, and filling the base with seeds.
24. Bottle Cap Feeder
Glue bottle caps in rows on a flat piece of wood and fill each one with a bit of birdseed for a modern, artistic feeder.
25. Wooden Spoon Feeder
Insert wooden spoons into the sides of a bottle or jar, letting the handles stick out as perches while birds feed from the seed-filled container.
26. Chandelier Feeder
Transform an old chandelier into a hanging bird feeder by attaching small bowls or plates where the bulbs used to be.
27. Upcycled Chair Feeder
Use the seat of an old chair as a bird feeder by turning it into a platform feeder or by adding small trays or bowls to hold seed.
28. Sieve Feeder
Hang an old sieve from a branch and fill it with birdseed. The mesh allows drainage, making it perfect for outdoor use.
29. Ladder Feeder
Use a small wooden ladder as a multi-level bird feeder by attaching trays to each rung for a tiered feeding experience.
30. Clay Feeder
Shape your own clay bowls or shapes, attach them to twine, and hang them up as custom, handmade feeders.
31. Old Lamp Feeder
Repurpose an old lamp by removing the wiring and turning the lampshade into a hanging feeder. A great way to upcycle something headed for the trash.
32. Cheese Grater Feeder
Attach a cheese grater to a wooden base and fill it with seed. Birds will feed from the grated sides, and the handle can serve as a perch.
33. Upside-Down Umbrella Feeder
Hang an old umbrella upside down from a tree and fill it with birdseed. Bonus: it’ll provide shade for birds while they eat!
34. Wine Cork Feeder
Craft a feeder by gluing wine corks together to form a small tray or box, then fill with seeds and hang.
35. Wooden Pallet Feeder
Take a piece of pallet wood, cut it down to size, and attach a shallow box or tray to hold the birdseed. It’s simple, rustic, and durable.
36. Acorn Cap Feeder
Use large acorn caps to hold tiny amounts of birdseed, hanging them in clusters for a charming, natural feeder.
37. Plastic Jug Feeder
Cut out openings from an empty plastic jug and hang it by its handle, filling the inside with birdseed for an easy DIY solution.
38. Metal Scoop Feeder
Attach an old metal scoop or ladle to a post or branch, creating a small feeding station with built-in perch.
39. Shovel Feeder
Repurpose a rusty old shovel by securing it upright and filling the scoop with seeds for an industrial-style feeder.
40. Vintage Kettle Feeder
Use an old kettle as a hanging feeder by removing the lid and filling it with birdseed. It’s both practical and decorative.
41. Salt Shaker Feeder
Fill an old salt shaker with small seeds and hang it in your garden for a miniature, decorative feeder.
42. Glass Jar Feeder
Suspend a glass jar horizontally by its opening, fill it with seeds, and let birds perch on the lip as they feed.
43. Hubcap Feeder
Turn an old hubcap into a ground feeder by filling it with birdseed and placing it near a tree or garden.
44. Old Toy Feeder
Repurpose an old plastic toy—like a dump truck or toy boat—by filling it with birdseed and setting it out for a playful feeder.
45. Woven Basket Feeder
Use a small woven basket, hang it from a tree, and fill it with seeds for a feeder that blends beautifully into nature.
46. Cracked Mug Feeder
Instead of tossing that cracked mug, hang it from its handle and fill it with seeds to give it a new life as a feeder.
47. Seed Block Feeder
Mold suet and seeds into large blocks, hanging them from trees or placing them in wire baskets for birds to peck at.
48. Ladderback Chair Feeder
Mount a small tray or bowl on the back of a ladderback chair for a whimsical feeder.
49. Wicker Hat Feeder
Attach a wide-brimmed wicker hat to a post, fill the brim with seeds, and create a feeder with a dash of personality.
50. Glass Bottle Feeder
Use an empty glass bottle, drill holes at the bottom, and insert small perches. Fill the bottle with seeds