30 Bird Feeders DIY Ideas 2026

This post may contain affiliate links: read full affiliate disclosure.

Bird feeders are a simple way to bring life, color, and movement into your outdoor space without spending a lot of money. 

With a few basic materials and a little creativity, you can make bird feeders at home that look great and attract different types of birds. 

DIY bird feeders are also a smart way to reuse everyday items and reduce waste. In this article, 

I will show you 30 easy and creative Bird Feeders DIY ideas you can try at home, whether you have a big garden, small yard, or balcony.

Why Make DIY Bird Feeders?

Making your own bird feeders is an easy way to support local birds while adding charm to your outdoor space. 

DIY feeders let you reuse everyday items, save money, and customize designs based on the birds in your area. 

They work well for gardens, patios, and balconies, and most projects require only basic tools. 

Plus, watching birds visit something you made yourself makes the experience even more rewarding.

Plastic Bottle

Turn an empty plastic bottle into a simple hanging feeder using wooden spoons or sticks as perches. Cut small feeding holes, insert spoons, and fill with birdseed. 

Hang it from a tree branch or hook. This feeder works great for small birds and helps reuse everyday plastic instead of throwing it away.

Mason Jar

A mason jar feeder gives your yard a rustic look while keeping seeds dry. Attach the jar upside down to a small wooden base or feeder tray. 

As birds eat, seeds slowly refill the tray. This design is easy to clean, durable, and perfect for patios, porches, or garden hooks.

Teacup Feeder

Glue a teacup to its saucer to create a charming open feeder. Fill the cup with seeds and hang it using strong wire or rope. 

This feeder is ideal for decorative gardens and small birds. Vintage or mismatched teacups add personality while still serving a practical purpose.

Tin Can

Clean an empty tin can and decorate it with paint or twine. Place it horizontally or vertically, then fill it with birdseed. 

Add a small perch near the opening for easy access. Hang it from a branch or fence. This feeder is budget-friendly and perfect for beginner DIY projects.

Wooden Pallet

Use leftover pallet wood to build a sturdy bird feeder with a small roof and open sides. This design allows multiple birds to feed at once. 

Sand the wood to avoid splinters and hang it securely or mount it on a post. It works well for larger birds and blends naturally into outdoor spaces.

Pinecone

Coat a large pinecone with peanut butter and roll it in birdseed. Tie a string around the top and hang it from a tree branch. 

This feeder is quick to make and perfect for attracting small birds. It’s also a fun, kid-friendly project using natural materials.

Coconut Shell

Cut a coconut shell in half, clean it, and drill small holes for hanging rope. Fill it with birdseed or suet and hang it outdoors. 

The hard shell holds up well in different weather conditions. This feeder adds a tropical look while offering a sturdy feeding bowl.

Wine Bottle

Attach a wine bottle upside down to a wooden frame with a small tray beneath the opening. As birds eat, seeds slowly drop onto the tray. 

This feeder keeps food clean and dry. It’s a great way to reuse empty bottles while creating a stylish garden feature.

Orange Peel

Hollow out an orange half and poke small holes on the sides for string. Fill it with birdseed and hang it from a branch. 

The citrus peel naturally decomposes over time, making this feeder eco-friendly. It’s best for short-term use and works well for attracting small backyard birds.

Milk Carton

Cut feeding windows into a clean milk carton and add small sticks or dowels as perches. Fill it with birdseed and hang it from a tree or hook. 

This lightweight feeder is easy to customize with paint and works well for beginner DIYers.

Log Feeder

Drill shallow holes into a thick log and fill them with seeds or suet. Hang the log vertically or mount it on a post. 

This feeder looks natural in wooded yards and provides multiple feeding spots. It’s durable and attracts birds that enjoy clinging surfaces.

Tray Feeder

Build a simple flat tray using scrap wood and add short side rails to keep seeds from spilling. Hang it with chains or place it on a stand. 

This feeder allows many birds to feed together and is easy to refill and clean.

Fence Feeder

Attach a shallow feeder box directly to a fence using screws or brackets. This design saves space and keeps the feeder stable. 

It’s perfect for small yards or patios where hanging feeders aren’t ideal. Birds can easily access the seeds, and refilling is quick and mess-free.

Spoon Bottle

Use a plastic bottle with wooden spoons pushed through opposite sides to create feeding ports and perches. Fill the bottle with birdseed and hang it vertically. 

As seeds fall onto the spoons, birds can perch and eat comfortably. This feeder is simple, effective, and budget-friendly.

Mug Feeder

Reuse an old coffee mug by gluing it sideways onto a small wooden board or hanging it with wire. Fill the mug with seeds so birds can perch on the rim. 

This feeder adds a cozy look and works well in small garden corners or balconies.

Platform Roof

Build a flat wooden platform with a small slanted roof to protect seeds from rain. Hang it with chains or mount it on a post. 

The open sides allow easy access for birds while keeping food dry. This feeder suits yards with frequent rain.

Cookie Cutter

Shape birdseed feeders using metal cookie cutters. Mix seeds with gelatin, press them into the cutters, and let them set. 

Once firm, hang them with string. These feeders are great for seasonal themes and attract small birds. They’re easy to customize and make a fun craft project,

Clay Pot

Turn a small clay pot into a feeder by hanging it sideways or upside down. Add a wooden dowel or stick as a perch near the opening. 

Fill it with birdseed. The clay material helps regulate moisture and blends naturally into garden settings.

Peanut Butter

Spread peanut butter on a piece of wood or inside a pinecone, then roll it in birdseed. Hang it securely outdoors. 

This high-energy feeder is especially helpful during colder months. It’s quick to make and attracts a variety of birds.

Wire Basket

Use a small wire basket or mesh container to hold suet or seed blocks. Hang it from a tree or hook where birds can cling to the sides. 

The open design allows easy access and good airflow, keeping food fresh longer.

Colander Feeder

Use an old metal or plastic colander as a hanging feeder. The built-in holes allow rainwater to drain while holding seeds securely. 

Hang it with chains or rope from a sturdy branch. This feeder attracts multiple birds at once and works well for mixed seed types.

Glass Jar

Attach a glass jar upside down to a wooden base or tray. As birds eat, seeds slowly drop down to refill the feeding area. 

This feeder keeps food visible and dry. It adds a clean, simple look to gardens and is easy to refill and clean.

Gutter Feeder

Mount a short section of rain gutter horizontally along a fence or railing. Drill small drainage holes and fill it with birdseed. 

This feeder is ideal for ground-feeding birds and works well in narrow spaces like balconies.

Tree Stump

Carve shallow bowls into a tree stump and fill them with seeds or suet. Place the stump securely in your yard. 

This feeder looks natural and blends into outdoor landscapes. It’s sturdy and attracts birds that prefer ground-level feeding.

Lego Feeder

Build a small tray or box using leftover Lego bricks and attach it to a flat base. The raised edges help keep seeds in place. 

This feeder is lightweight, colorful, and easy to rebuild if needed. It’s a fun option for family yards and works best when placed under some cover.

Bowl Feeder

Upcycle an old ceramic or plastic bowl into a simple feeder by placing it on a stand or hanging it with rope. The wide shape allows several birds to feed together. 

This feeder is easy to refill and works well for larger seed mixes.

PVC Pipe

Drill small feeding holes into a short PVC pipe and add dowels beneath each opening for perches. Cap the bottom, fill from the top, and hang it vertically. 

This feeder is weather-resistant, long-lasting, and keeps seeds protected from moisture.

Hanging Basket

Line a small wire hanging basket with mesh or burlap, then fill it with birdseed or suet. Hang it from a hook or tree branch. 

The open sides let birds cling easily while keeping food visible. It works well for active feeder areas.

Driftwood

Use a piece of driftwood as a natural base by attaching small seed trays or drilling shallow holes for food. Hang it with rope or mount it on a post. 

This feeder blends beautifully into natural landscapes and attracts birds that enjoy clinging and perching.

Window Feeder

Attach a clear feeder to your window using strong suction cups. Fill it with birdseed and enjoy close-up bird watching from inside your home. 

This feeder saves yard space and works well for apartments while keeping birds visible and safe.