Birds are an integral part of our ecosystem and building bird feeders in the spring is a wonderful way to get ready for them. Bird feeders not only provide food for these amazing animals, they can also offer a fantastic opportunity for some birdwatching from your backyard. Here are a few ways to make some eco-friendly bird feeders at home.
While bird feeders have many benefits, it is important to know some risks that come with including these fixtures in your backyard. Bird feeders can attract unwanted animals such as feral cats or squirrels, so consider that when choosing which type of bird feeder to make. Also, be aware of the amount of food you are providing to birds. Oversupplying food will lead to birds depending on artificial food and may hinder their ability to find their own food supply in the wild. Lastly, the location of the birdfeeder is extremely important. Collisions between birds and home windows often occur near birdfeeders, so make sure to hang any feeders away from buildings and windows.
Prior to choosing the type of feeder you want to build, consider the following tips to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all.
Now that we have covered some essential information, let’s dive into a few different types of bird feeders that are easy to make with some recyclable materials found around the home.
This feeder is a quick and easy one that uses orange peels, seeds, and string. Grab an orange and use a knife to make a horizontal cut around the peel. Be careful not to cut the orange itself, only the peel. Once the cut is made, simply twist the peel around until it can easily be removed from the orange. Using a wooden skewer or toothpick, poke four holes evenly through the peel near the cut side. Thread string through each hole and tie at the top. Place seeds into the orange peel, hang in the desired location, and enjoy the view.
Keeping the fruit theme going, try this feeder with some sunflower seeds, an apple, and string. This feeder would be ideal for younger children with the help of an adult. Simply remove the apple core and toss it into the compost. Provide a handful of sunflower seeds for children to press into the apple (the amount and where they place them is up to them, and promotes creativity). Pull string through the core hole and tie the ends. Just like the previous feeder, place in the desired location, and start counting how many birds visit.
The frozen seed bird feeder is one of the easiest feeders to make on our list. However, it is also one that will not last long and may require frequent remaking, depending on your location. For this feeder, you will only need some string, water, seeds, ice trays, and a freezer. Pour water into the ice cube trays and put some seeds into the water. Place in freezer and wait until they are solid. Tie some string around the ice shapes and hang outside. Again, this feeder may be more ideal for winter months and/or a location that has colder weather to keep the ice frozen.
The tin can bird feeder utilizes recyclable materials such as tin cans or glass jars and turns them into useful bird feeders. Make sure to clean out the tin can or glass jar completely before starting. Grab some string and tie it around the top of the can or jar, making sure to leave some extra string out at the end. Continue spinning the string around the can or jar two to three times. Then, place a small stick or branch against it to make a footrest for the birds. Secure the stick to your jar or can by continuing to spin the string over the stick. Once you reach the bottom, make another tie and pull the extra string out to make a knot with the other end. Hang the jar or tin can on a branch and place seeds inside for birds to enjoy.
To make this feeder you only need a toilet paper roll, some seeds, and honey. Clean off the toilet roll paper to ensure there is no paper left on it. Place some honey and some seeds each on two separate plates. First, place the toilet paper roll into the honey and roll it so that the honey covers the outside of the roll. Then, place the honey-covered paper roll into the seeds and roll the seeds onto the honey. Finally, place the rolls in the fridge so that the honey solidifies. These feeders are easy to place on a branch and can easily be replaced when needed.
These are just a few bird feeders that can liven up your backyard while protecting our environment. Eco-friendly bird feeders provide food for birds, help increase the population of native birds, and can bring nature right to our doorsteps. Following some simple tips and tricks will ensure a safe and healthy relationship between both humans and birds.
