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For a quick winter feeder, coat a cardboard tube in lard and seed; for a longer-lasting option, make a covered wooden tray or hopper with drainage. The best choice depends on the food you want to offer, the weather, and how easily you can keep the feeder clean. Below are 52 build ideas, followed by food, placement, and maintenance guidance to help you choose a design that works safely in your yard.
Choose a feeder by food, weather, and upkeep
Before building, match the design to the food. Suet and other fat-based cakes supply concentrated energy, while seed feeders suit foods such as sunflower, safflower, cracked corn, and Nyjer. Fruit and mealworms call for trays or spikes that are easy to inspect and clean. RSPB identifies sunflower hearts for finches, Nyjer for goldfinches and siskins, suet balls as high-energy winter food, and mealworms for robins and blue tits. Bird use will vary with local species and conditions.
| Design family | Cost and build effort | Weather and capacity | Food and likely visitors | Upkeep and safety considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanging ornaments and small suet holders | Usually low material cost; most are quick to assemble, though wooden or wire holders take more work. | Exposed ornaments have little protection from precipitation and hold small portions; solid cages and cups hold more securely. | Suet, seed-and-fat mixtures, fruit, or seed; visitors depend on the food. | Inspect often, especially during thaws; hanging them away from reachable ledges can reduce access by some larger animals. |
| Covered trays and hoppers | Scrap or reclaimed materials can keep material cost low; woodworking builds take longer than carton or tray adaptations. | A roof protects seed from precipitation better than an exposed ornament. Tray capacity varies; hoppers can hold a larger supply. | Mixed seed, sunflower, cracked corn, or fruit depending on the feeder. | Make the floor drain and remain accessible for cleaning. A broad exposed tray can invite larger birds and squirrels. |
| Tubes and bottle or jar feeders | Reused containers are inexpensive; adding secure perches and smooth openings takes care. | Covered tube-style designs shield seed better than open ornaments. Capacity depends on the container. | Seed; use a suitable opening for the seed and intended birds. | Ensure holes have no sharp edges and that the feeder can be emptied and washed. Position with window safety in mind. |
| Ground and fruit feeding stations | Often simple to make from a tray, screen, or spike. | Exposed to weather; small portions are easiest to keep fresh. | Fruit, mealworms, or suitable ground-feeding foods. | Ground feeding needs an open location away from cover where cats can hide; remove uneaten food promptly. |
Actual costs, capacities, and build times depend on what materials you already have and the size of the feeder. The designs below are inspiration, not a claim that every variation has been tested.
Suet and fat-cake feeders
Fat-based feeders are compact and useful in cold weather, but they need inspection and freshening as conditions warm. Keep ingredients and containers clean, and remove any food that becomes wet or spoiled.
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National Geographic Build Your Own Bird Feeder Craft Kit for Kids
- BUILD, PAINT & DISCOVER – Create a one-of-a-kind bird feeder with this hands-on kit! Kids & adults will have a blast working together to build and decorate their feeder, then set it up for real birds to enjoy. A great Easter basket stuffer or gift!
- A FUN DIY PROJECT WITH REAL-WORLD REWARDS – Follow easy-to-understand instructions to assemble the feeder, then customize it with six vibrant paint colors. The only tool needed is a Phillips screwdriver (not included).
- WATCH BIRDS UP CLOSE – Once complete, the feeder becomes a window into the world of birds! Kids can watch different species visit and enjoy their handmade feeder, sparking curiosity and excitement for nature.
- LEARN AS YOU OBSERVE – The included bird-watching journal lets kids track their sightings, while the full-color educational poster is packed with fascinating facts to help identify birds and understand their behaviors.
- EVERYTHING NEEDED FOR HOURS OF FUN – This complete kit includes pre-cut wooden panels, paint, a brush, a bird-watching journal, and an educational poster. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, science, and outdoor adventure!
1. Pine-cone suet feeder
Press a bird-safe seed-and-fat mixture into the cone’s crevices. A large cone can be hung from twine, as in idea 2. Choose a cone with firm scales and hang it where it will not swing into a window.
3. Loo-roll seed feeder
Align holes through a cardboard tube for a hanging string or perch, coat the tube with lard or suet, then roll it in bird seed. RSPB documents this basic method. Use it as a short-term feeder and replace it if it softens or becomes soggy.
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CroBlissful 12 Pack Bird Feeder Craft Kits for Kids DIY Your Own Bird Feeders with Paint and Paintbrushes Wooden Arts and Crafts for Kid Ornaments to Paint Feeders Craft for Garden(Flower Shape)
- DIY Bird Feeder Kit: you will receive 12 pieces of wooden bird feeders, 1 roll of jute rope, 12 pieces of stainless steel bowls, 12 sheets of stickers, 2 sets of paint and 2 pieces of painting brushes, sufficient quantity and ideal combination to allow children to play freely and create their own art, enjoy the fun of handcrafts
- Suitable Size: this wooden bird feeder of this bird feeder kits for kids measures about 6 inch, and the rope measures about 100 ft long, which make it easy for you to hang them, they can be applied not only as traditional birdhouses, but also as decorative elements for your home or garden; You can paint them, or decorate them with other decorations (not included in the product), adding a touch of charm to your space
- Safe and Durable: this DIY bird feeders for outside is made of quality wood, the bowl is made of quality stainless steel material, they are durable, well made, sturdy and wear resistant, suitable for long term use
- Ideal Gifts: this kids bird feeder kit is suitable as a gift for boys, girls, sons, daughters, nieces or grandchildren; It is an ideal gift for children who love animals and nature, and can also be applied as a school craft project or an ideal craft toy for daily children's activities or birthday parties in autumn, winter and spring
- DIY Features: children can design it according to their own ideas, such as drawing their favorite patterns, or writing it; Then put the bowl in the middle of the flower, pass the jute rope through the hole on the bird feeder, and you will get a unique bird feeder
4. Two-roll cluster feeder
Thread two prepared cardboard tubes onto one hanging cord for a larger feeding point. Check that the cord and tubes remain stable and dry.
5. Yoghurt-pot bird cake
RSPB’s method uses a small hole in a yoghurt pot, with string tied inside, room-temperature lard, and a seed or raisin mixture. Refrigerate the filled pot until the cake sets, then hang it by the loop. Make sure the pot has no sharp edges.
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LotFancy Bird House Kit, 2 Pack, DIY Wooden Birdhouse Kits, Arts and Crafts Painting Kit for Kids, Build and Paint, Including Paints & Brushes
- BUILDING & PAINTING KIT: The Package contains 2 bird house kits, Each bird craft kit includes 10 wood pieces with pre-drilled holes, 1 perch post, 1 hanging rope, 28 screws, 6 colors of paint, 2 brushes, 1 easy-to-follow instruction guide; Phillips screwdriver needed for assembly (not included)
- NATURAL MATERIALS: Our unassembled diy bird houses are made of solid pine wood; safe and non-toxic; eco-friendly and durable for outdoor use; Water-based, water resistant paint for easy cleanup
- EDUCATIONAL & FUN: Our diy birdhouse kits are the perfect family project; Kids can build and customize their very own DIY birdhouse with the included paints and brush; Kids building kits help develop patience, concentration, and problem-solving skills; paints will promote creativity and imagination
- BIRD FRIENDLY DESIGN: Feeding trough at the front of the birdhouse for easy feeding; The diameter of the entrance is 2.55'' with a convenient perch peg at the entrance
- FUN GIFT FOR KIDS: Children will enjoy building and personalizing this bird feeder kit; Then have fun picking a spot to hang the home and wait for a bird family to move in; An great gift for a Birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving
6–9. Moulded cakes and small holders
- 6. Silicone cupcake moulds: Set small fat cakes in reusable moulds and release them once firm.
- 7. Muffin tin portions: Use a reused tin to form separate suet portions; remove cakes before hanging or placing them in a holder.
- 8. Teacup and saucer: Secure a cup to its saucer and use it as a small suet cup. Avoid cracked ceramic and ensure the assembly is firmly supported.
- 9. Small plant-pot basket: Use a clean pot as a holder for a cake, with a secure hanger that will not tip it.
10–15. Reusable and natural suet holders
- 10. Coconut-shell cup: Clean and dry a shell half, then fill it with a firm cake.
- 11. Onion-bag hanger: Place a cake in a clean mesh bag and hang it securely. Audubon describes onion-bag suet feeders; use mesh only if it is in good condition and cannot entangle birds.
- 12. Wire suet cage: Fill a purpose-made cage with homemade cake. A reusable cage is an optional upgrade if you want to replace cakes without remaking the holder.
- 13. Twig frame: Build a sturdy frame around a suet block, leaving space for birds to cling.
- 14. Wooden lattice pocket: Make a small lattice holder for a block, using smooth, untreated wood and secure fastenings.
- 15. Bark slab: Press a small amount of suet into natural crevices in a stable piece of bark and hang it securely.
16–19. Fruit and seasonal holders
- 16. Apple half: Fill a halved apple with a seed-and-fat mixture and secure it so it cannot fall.
- 17. Orange half: Use the hollowed half as a small cup for suet and seed.
- 18. Pumpkin half: Make a seasonal seed bowl from a clean, stable half; use a small amount and remove it before it spoils.
- 19. Gourd feeder: Cut a roof-like opening into a dried gourd and use the cavity as a sheltered feeder, ensuring drainage and safe edges.
Wood, bark, and covered seed feeders
A roof and drainage are useful in wet or snowy weather: covered hoppers and trays protect seed from precipitation better than exposed ornaments. Avoid designs that trap damp seed, and make the feeding surface removable or otherwise easy to scrub.
20–27. Log, tray, and hopper builds
- 20. Hollowed-log trough: Create a shallow trough in a stable log for seed. Keep the basin open enough to clean and drain.
- 21. Birch-bark tray: Shape bark into a small tray and support it firmly; replace it if it becomes waterlogged or deteriorates.
- 22. Scrap-wood platform with rain roof: Add a simple roof over a platform and drill drainage holes in the floor.
- 23. Pallet-board mini hopper: Reuse clean, untreated pallet boards to build a small hopper; do not use wood of unknown chemical treatment.
- 24. Popsicle-stick hopper: Laminate clean craft sticks into a small hopper with a pitched roof. Keep it small enough to clean thoroughly.
- 25. Cedar-shingle roof tray: Add a shingle roof above a seed tray to shed rain and snow.
- 26. Reclaimed-drawer covered tray: Turn a clean drawer into a covered feeding tray, adding drainage and a roof overhang if needed.
- 27. Wooden crate with mesh floor: Use a small crate and a secure mesh floor that lets water pass through; ensure openings are not large enough to trap feet.
Tube, bottle, carton, and can feeders
Container feeders can be fast projects, but every cut edge must be smooth and the feeder must come apart or open for cleaning. Use sturdy hanging hardware and test that perches support the expected load.
28–37. Seed containers
- 28. Bamboo-cane seed tube: Use a clean cane with suitable openings and a cap or roof that keeps out rain.
- 29. PVC-pipe feeder: Fit end caps to a clean pipe and add smooth-edged feeding ports and perches. Make it easy to empty and wash.
- 30. Glass-jar feeder: Reuse a jar with secure side perches; protect it from knocks and do not hang it where it can strike a window.
- 31. Plastic-bottle gravity feeder: Add wooden dowel perches beneath smooth-edged feeding openings. Discard the bottle if it cracks or becomes brittle.
- 32. Milk-carton feeder: Cut feeding openings and add an overhanging roof; keep the carton dry and replace it when it weakens.
- 33. Juice-carton feeder: Paint or paper-wrap the outside only, leaving the inside clean and uncoated.
- 34. Tin-can feeder: Add a rain shield and smooth every cut edge so no sharp metal remains exposed.
- 35. Coffee-can hopper: Adapt a clean can as a hopper with a removable lid for refilling and cleaning.
- 36. Nyjer cylinder: Use hardware cloth to form a cylinder for Nyjer seed, with safe, properly finished edges.
- 37. Recycled suet tub: Reuse a clean tub as a suet holder and add drainage holes so rainwater does not collect.
Small-batch, fruit, and ground-feeding ideas
38–42. Small portions and seed ornaments
- 38. Egg-carton seed cups: Hang clean cups as a cluster for small portions. Use only while dry and sturdy; discard if they soften.
- 39. Ice-cube-tray seed cakes: Set small cakes for short refills rather than leaving a large amount of food exposed.
- 40. Gelatin-bound seed ornaments: Shape seed with gelatin, set it firmly, and hang it where it can be removed promptly if wet.
- 41. Cookie-cutter ornaments: Press seed mixture into cookie cutters as moulds, then remove the cutters once the shapes hold together.
- 42. Bagel with nut butter and seed: Use only ingredients considered safe for birds and permitted by local guidance; avoid salted or mouldy food.
43–48. Sunflower, corn, fruit, and mealworm feeders
- 43. Whole sunflower head: Hang an intact, dried head where birds can perch on it.
- 44. Dried-corn-cob hanger: Suspend a dry cob firmly and replace it if it becomes spoiled.
- 45. Apple-and-peanut skewer: Thread apple and suitable peanuts onto a secure skewer, with no sharp point exposed.
- 46. Orange halves on a spike: Secure orange halves on a fruit-feeder spike designed to hold them safely.
- 47. Raisin-and-apple tray: Offer small portions on a tray and remove uneaten food; do not use mouldy or salty food.
- 48. Sheltered mealworm cup: Put mealworms in a stable cup on a covered tray so they remain contained and dry.
49–52. Ground feeding and complete stations
- 49. Covered ground-feeding screen tray: Place a screened tray in an open area, away from places where cats can hide and pounce.
- 50. Saucer bird table: Mount a reclaimed saucer securely on a pole, with drainage and an easy-to-clean surface.
- 51. Multi-feeder branch: Combine a suet cup, seed tube, and fruit skewer on a sturdy branch or frame, leaving enough space to clean each part.
- 52. Snow-sheltered station: Build a roofed station with separate spaces for different foods and a nearby water dish. Keep water clean and prevent the feeding area from becoming crowded.
Place feeders to reduce collisions and predator risk
- Hang many suspended feeders about five feet above the ground.
- For tube feeders, Audubon recommends a position less than three feet from a window or more than 30 feet away, reducing collision risk by avoiding the intermediate distance.
- Put ground feeders in open areas at least 10 feet from trees or shrubs, and avoid ground feeding where cats can pounce.
- Keep a feeding station accessible for cleaning and refilling, but out of reach of pets and other hazards.
These distances are guidance, not a guarantee against collisions or predators. Consider the layout of your own yard, including nearby glass, cover, and places where a cat could wait unseen.
Quick Recap
Keep food fresh and feeders clean
- Keep seed dry. Add drainage to trays and containers, and use a roof where it can keep precipitation out without trapping moisture.
- Remove leftovers. Clear old food promptly rather than topping it up, especially after wet weather.
- Scrub on a regular schedule. RSPB advises weekly scrubbing. Audubon Great Lakes recommends cleaning every one to two weeks using a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach, then drying the feeder before refilling. Follow the applicable local guidance and handle cleaning solution carefully.
- Move feeders after cleaning. RSPB advises moving feeders to prevent droppings from accumulating beneath one spot.
- Pause feeding if birds appear sick. RSPB advises stopping feeding if sick birds appear, and local disease guidance may change. Audubon Great Lakes reported highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird populations in its February 1, 2024 article and directs readers to state guidance; check current local advice before deciding when to resume.
Sources and regional guidance
- RSPB: Feeding garden birds
- RSPB: How to make fat cakes for birds
- National Audubon Society: Winter bird feeding
- National Audubon Society: How to clean a bird feeder
- Audubon Great Lakes: Keep your bird feeders clean
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