Hummingbirds are among the most spectacular birds in the world. Their amazing agility and speed strikes us every time we see one when it hovers near flowers in our backyard. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your backyard then you can build this easy hummingbird feeder that only has four steps.
Hummingbirds are little machines, constantly on the go and covering more than 50 miles a day. They’re also great pollinators, helping our plants — and our meals — thrive. With all that activity, it’s no wonder they can use at least 10 percent of their body weight in nectar each day. Feeding them is easy; fill a feeder with your favorite sugary liquid and voila — but the real challenge is making it last through an entire warm season.
How to build a hummingbird feeder
Hummingbird feeders are a great way to attract hummingbirds to your backyard. They’re also easy to make from a variety of materials at home.
Materials
Stainless steel coil (available at hardware stores)
Wooden dowel (1/4 inch diameter)
Mason jar or other glass container with lid
Hummingbird feeders can be made from a variety of different materials. A simple feeder can be made from a plastic bottle or jar. The design of the feeder will be determined by your budget and what you have available at home.
Hummingbird feeders are easy to make at home and can be created in any shape, size or color. They can also be personalized with decorations like paint or glitter.
Materials needed:
Plastic bottle or jar (1 liter)
Corkscrew or drill bit
Toothpicks or bamboo skewers
String for hanging
Hummingbird feeders are simple to make. You’ll need some basic supplies and a few hours of time.
Materials
Empty soda bottle or milk jug with cap
Large-holed cork or plastic funnel
Hot glue gun (or craft glue)
Ruler
Scissors
Build a Hummingbird Feeder
1. A hummingbird feeder. You can buy these at any home improvement store or online. Try to find one that is made of glass or plastic so you can see the feeder from the outside.
2. An old CD or DVD (or a similar circular object).
3. A pin or needle nose pliers to poke holes in the CD/DVD.
4. Some string or twine (a few feet will do).
Step 1: Gather your materials
You’ll need:
A clean, empty plastic soda bottle (1 liter or smaller)
A large nail or screw
Strong string, fishing line or dental floss
Step 2: Drill a hole in the cap of the bottle
Using a sharp tool such as a drill bit, create a hole approximately 1 inch from the bottom of the cap. Make sure to leave enough space so that water can flow into the bottle when you pour it in.
Step 3: Cut off the bottom of the bottle
Cut off about 3 inches from the bottom of the bottle by slicing through it with a knife or other sharp instrument. Use caution when doing this because it’s easy to cut yourself if you’re not careful!
Step 4: Tie string to your nail and then attach it to your feeder