World’s Easiest Bird Feeders

August 12, 2008

As fall approaches, turn your backyard into your own nature preserve! Of course no nature preserve is complete without feeding the birds! Bird feeders are simple to make and it doesn’t take long to get the birds into your yard. You can start by attracting birds that feed on the ground (like crows) by tossing out bread crumbs. Toddlers love this activity! Each of the following feeders are temporary, quick and easy. You can use them to gauge whether feeding the birds if for you or not. Remember to place the feeders near a window so watching them eat is easy and fun! Keep in mind also that where birds eat, they will also poop! So keep that in mind when placing your feeders. These feeders are also cheap, cheap, cheap to make.

Orange Feeder

Place half an overripe orange or grapefruit on the end of a broken branch. Remove after 2 days.

Peanuts

Sew a string of whole, unshelled peanuts onto a ribbon (string or yarn will work also!) and hang it on a tree.

Pine Cone

Smear a pine cone with peanut butter and roll it in bird seed. Tie yarn on the top and hang from the tree.

Popcorn

Sew a garland of popcorn and put it on a tree.

Milk Jug

Cut an opening in one side of the jug, large enough for a small bird to enter. Add a handful of bird seed, then hang from a tree. Remember to put the cap back on the jug! This keeps the rain and snow from ruining the bird seed.

Cheerios

String Cheerios on twine and hang from a tree.

Cookie Shaped Feeders

Use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of a slice of bread. Use a straw and place a hole in the bread, near the top, but not too close that it will easily break. Allow the bread to dry out for a couple of days (this is a great way to use up the ends of a loaf!). Smear peanut butter or lard on the bread and coat in peanut butter. Run twine through the hole and hang from the tree.