7 DIY Recycled Bird Feeders

6. Plastic bottle hummingbird feeder

If you’re hoping to attract adorable hummingbirds to your yard, check out the How to Enjoy Hummingbirds’ guide to fashioning a hummingbird feeder out of a 1 liter plastic bottle and a small plastic takeout container like those used for a deli salads.

To get started, grab your drill and make one hole in the center of the plastic bottle’s cap. Then drill a hole in the center of the takeout container lid that is large enough to accommodate the plastic bottle’s opening. You’ll also want to make four small holes around the takeout container lid; this is where the hummingbirds will drink from.

Next, fill the plastic bottle with hummingbird nectar, which you can easily make by mixing one part white granulated sugar with four parts water. Then pop the takeout container lid onto the plastic bottle, twist on the bottle cap and attach the takeout container to its lid.

To catch the hummingbirds’ attention, highlight the four feeding holes with the bird’s favorite color – red. Cut out circles from red fabric scraps or even from a Coke bottle’s label, and paste them around the feeding holes.

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7. Stylish plastic bottle bird feeder

Want to build a recycled bird feeder that doesn’t sacrifice on aesthetics?

Centsational Girl blogger Kate came up with the design for this elegant bird feeder when she found that an empty plastic 1 liter bottle fit perfectly inside two Ball jar lids that she had lying around the house. While you start out with recycled materials, this project requires a few supplies from the hardware or craft store including wood disks, a wood ball finial and spray paint (look for low- or no-VOC paints to make your bird feeder even more eco-friendly). You’ll also need a power screwdriver and a hacksaw – and experience using them.

But the result is well worth the effort: The finished product looks store-bought, not like a DIY bird feeder you made over the weekend.

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