Building Bird Feeders is a Great Pastime

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Feeding birds can provide entertainment andenjoyment for people of all ages. You can

attract birds to your backyard throughout theyear, but the most important time to help the

birds is during the winter.

I n the spring and summer, birdsfeed on insects which are

plentiful. Cold temperatures andsnow limit the food available andput extra demands on birds tokeep warm.

Feeding should be restricted tofeeders and not simply thrown onthe ground. There are a variety ofseeds and foods that attractbirds.

The development of black oilsunflower seeds revolutionizedbird feeding. It is the singlefavorite and most nutritious foodfor birds. Adding specialty foodsto feeders will attract even awider variety of birds.

In the summer, for example,sugar water attractshummingbirds. Fruit bringsnorthern orioles, waxwings, bluejays, and thrashers. Meal wormscan lure in bluebirds.

In the spring and fall, thistleseed will attract the Harris’sparrow and red-breastednuthatch. A mixture of black oilsunflower and thistle attractsevening grosbeaks, red polls, andpine siskens during the winter.

Niger thistle attracts purple,house, and goldfinches all yearlong. Suet will be utilized regularlyby woodpeckers, nuthatches, andchickadees.

Placement of your feeder is asimportant as what you put in it.First, consider where you want towatch your birds. Is it by awindow, on a glass door, or on thesecond story. Pick a locationthat is easily accessible for fillingwith food and out of the wind.

Also consider the mess thatempty and spilled seeds willcause below the feeder.

Finally, keeping unwantedpredators such as stray catsaway from your feeder isimportant. Cats kill millions ofsongbirds annually and should beprevented from climbing nearfeeders. Locate your feeder atleast 4-5 ft. away fromoverhanging tree limbs, fencing, orother structures.

This practice may also preventsquirrels from climbing on thefeeder. The addition of a predatorguard on the support pole mayalso prevent unwanted visitors.

Building Feedersis a Great Pastime

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Written by Chris Grondahl &John Dockter, North Dakota State

Game & Fish Department.

Special thanks to Carrol Hendersonof the Minnesota Department

of Natural Resources for the feederplans and to the Northern Prairie

Wildlife Research Center.

WindStar Wildlife Institute is anational, non-profit, conservationorganization whose mission is to

help individuals and familiesestablish or improve the wildlife

habitat on their properties.

For more information or for thename of a Master Wildlife Habitat

Naturalist in your area,please contact:

WindStar Wildlife Institute

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.windstar.org

If squirrels still persist at afeeder, lure them to the otherside of the yard with an easilyaccessible tray of peanuts.

Check your feeder forcleanliness if you use a tray orplatform type. A dirty feeder maycause disease or discourage birdsfrom coming.

If you have trouble attractingbirds, try adding a water source.Local bird populations willfluctuate, however, and birdsabsent for a period of time shouldnot concern you.

Added attractions to yourbackyard can be lured in withadditional types of feeders.

The barrel type feeder describedis excellent for attracting deer,turkey, pheasants, and cottontailrabbits if filled with corn,sunflower, and oats.

You may also attract woodducks or other waterfowl if youare located in the appropriatearea.

Feeder Plan Contents

2-Liter Plastic Soda Bottle Bird Feeder ................. 3

Milk Carton Feeder .......................................................4

Large Self-Feeder......................................................... 5

Linda Tray Feeder ......................................................... 8

Hardware Cloth Suet Feeder ..................................... 9

Dowel Suet Feeder ........................................................10

Barrel Feeder for Wildlife ............................................ 11

Predator Guards...........................................................12



2-Liter Plastic Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

1. Remove bottom and label.

2. Drill 1/8" hole in bottom (or heat wire).

3. Install wire.

4. Drill 5/16" holes for dowels (or cut).

5. For niger or thistle, drill 1/8" hole,then pull drill 1/4" to make slot (or cut).

-or-For black oil sunflower, drill 5/16" holes (or cut).

1/8" hole

Top View

Dowel

1"9" x 5/16" dowel or hardwood stick

* Use 5/16" round hole for sunflower,or 1/4" x 1/8" slot for niger/thistle.

14" clothes hangeror stiff wire

3 bendsPush wire up through 1/8" holein top and fashion a loop, cutoff extra wire.

5/16" round hole- or -

1/4" x 1/8" slot *



Milk Carton Feederby Alice J. Turner

Empty 1/2-gallon milk cartons can be turned into a variety ofbird-related items.

To make a bird feeder, you can cut away two adjoining sidesof a carton, leaving two inches at the top and bottom. Youwill have two solid sides (see Feeder A).

Another plan is to cut windows in all four sides of thecarton, again leaving about two inches at the bottom (seeFeeder B).

Next, punch two holes in the top of the carton. Thread somestrong string through the holes and tie it, making a loop forhanging. Now you can put the feeder wherever you want.

Both of these designs can also be used as bird baths.

Feeder A

Feeder B



Large Self-Feeder

Pa r t s(2) long brackets(2) short brackets(12) 1" x 3/16" bolt/washer/nut assembly(2) 3" hinges(2) latch hook assembly(48) 1-5/8" galvanized drywall screws(34) 1" galvanized drywall screws

ToolsTable sawPhilips head screwdriverWrench to tighten bolt assembliesStandard screwdriverPaint brush/paintPost hole digger

Figure 1.Wood required toassemble one LargeWinter Bird Feeder

Support post (1) 4"x4"

72"

Roof (1)1/2" plywood

Floor (1)1/2" plywood

End (2)

2 x 12 x 12-1/2"

Side (2)1/2" plywood

Side rails (2) 1" x 2"

End rails (2) 1" x 2"

Roof stops (2) 1" x 2"12-1/4"

34"

22-1/2"

35"

25-1/2"

26"

12"

34"

20-1/2"



Figure 2. Construction diagrams

35"

6-5/8"

6-5/8"

3"

Roof stops

3"

34"

4-1/8"

4-1/8"

Drain holes

Figure 2(A)Bottom view of roof

Figure 2(C)Body of feeder

Figure 2(D)Side view

Hinges (2)

Floor

Side

Side rail

Latch hooks (2)

Side

1/2" gap

Figure 2(E)End view

RailEnd

End2 x 12 x 12-1/2"

Figure 3. Utilization of one 4' x 8' x 1/2" CDX plywoodto make two Large Winter Bird Feeders

26"

(Side)

26"

(Side)

26"

(Side)

26"

(Side)

35"

(Roof)

34"

(Floor)

35"

(Roof)

34"

(Floor)

Figure 2(B)Top view of floor

26"



Assembly Instructions

Attach two roof stops to bottom of roof, using three 1" screws per roof stop. Screws should be driven from topof roof (refer to Figure 2A

Attach two side rails to two end rails, forming a rectangle of 1 by 2s. 1-5/8" screws should be driven into siderails which overlap the end rails.

Attach this rectangle of 1 by 2s to plywood floor with 1-5/8" screws driven in from plywood side (see Figure 2BThis railing will hold seed on the platform.

Assemble body of feeder utilizing two 2 x 12 x 12-1/2" ends and two 12 x 26" sides.

Attach 12" plywood sides to the longer (12-1/2") length of the end pieces with four 1" screws. The 1/2" gapremaining at the bottom of the rectangular box will function to release seeds from the body of the feeder (referto Figure 2C

Center body of feeder on top of floor and attach from bottom of floor with 1-5/8" screws. Screws should come upthrough plywood and into the 2 x 12" ends.

Drill at least six 1/4" drain holes into floor of feeder platform.

Place roof assembly on the ground with roof stops facing upward. Turn body of floor assembly upside down, graspthe floor, and insert body of feeder between roof stops. (Body of feeder should fit snugly between roof stops.)

Attach two hinges to one roof stop and two latch hooks to other roof stop.

Attach hinges and latch hooks to body of feeder. Use 1" screws to attach hinges (refer to Figure 2D

With roof latched and top of roof on the ground, center 4 x 4 post on bottom of floor and mark with pencil.Position brackets using pencil outline of 4 x 4 post.

Mark and drill bracket holes through plywood and attach brackets with 1" x 3/16" bolts, tighten.

Place 4 x 4 post into position and fasten using 1-5/8" screws. (Disregard this step if you plan to move the feederto its final location in two pieces.)

OPTIONAL:Add a center peak structure as illustrated by the dashed line in Figure 2E.

Two pieces of either 1/2" plywood or pine should be cut 26" long and approximately 5" wide.

Nail or screw together to form a 45 degree angle and fasten to the center of the floor of the feeder body. (Thisstructure prevents old seed from accumulating in the center of the seed reservoir and increases efficiency ofseed dispersal.)

To erect feeder, dig a hole approximately 2 ft. deep. Place post in hole and keep straight while occasionallypacking dirt as hole is filled.

IMPORTANT NOTE:Feeders must be coated with a good exterior paint for long life and weather proofing. This may be done before orafter putting the feeder up. However, the portion of the post being buried should be painted unless lumber is pre-treated.

ADDITIONAL:Figure 3 demonstrates how to get the necessary plywood pieces to construct two large winter bird feeders fromone sheet of plywood. (The cost of approximately $9 per feeder for plywood and a $6 charge per 4 x 4 postdemonstrates that the material to build this feeder can be purchased for under $25.)



Linda Tray Feeeder

Materials1" x 6" - 39-1/2"

Side view

Top view

2-3/4"

2-3/4"

6-1/4"

1-1/2"

5-1/2"

13" 10" 2" 5-1/2" 9"

Side Side Side Side Floor* Bottom braceRIP

to hereVertical support Horizontal support

* If the board is 3/4" thick, the floor must be 5-1/2" x 5-1/2"If the board is 7/8" thick, the floor must be 5-1/4" x 5-1/4"

Save!



Hardware Cloth Suet Feeder

Materials11" x 10" hardware cloth (1/2" x 1/2" mesh)1" x 8" - 32" (allow 1" for saw kerfs)9-1/4" dowel, 7/8" diameter21" nylon or poly cord7/16" hole allows roof

to slip upward on cord

Roof is notattached; it slidesup to fill the feeder

Staple hardwarecloth to lower edgesof feeder ends

7/8" dowel9-1/4"

21" nylon or poly cord, 1/4" thick

Roof half-wide Roof half-wide

10" 10" 11"

End End

Side View

7/8" diameterhole, 3/8" deep

5-1/2" 5-1/2"

1/2" mesh hardware cloth

Bend to90º angle

10"

5-1/2"

5-1/2"

Save!Save!



Dowel Suet Feeder

Finisheddowel suetfeeder

MaterialsWood glue1" x 6" - 14"2-1/2" x 36" dowelsEye screw (3/4" long)

Sliding dowel lifts to insert suet2" 1-1/2" 1-1/2" 2"

1" 9/16" diameter holefor sliding dowel

This diagram shows placement of dowel holes on the top and bottom pieces. Holesare 1/2" diameter and 1/2" deep, except that the floor hole for the sliding dowel is1/2" deep, but the sliding dowel penetrates the roof and is lifted to insert suet.

All cuts are 7-1/2" long with one at 9-1/2"

12" diameter dowels

Roof Floor

7" 7"

1"



Barrel Feeder for Wildlife

A simple feeder can be constructed from a55 or 30 gallon steel barrel which can oftenbe acquired for little or no cost. This typeof feeder can be filled with any grain,including black oil sunflower, corn, oats, or amixture of grains. It serves as a groundfeeder and is excellent for deer, turkeys, andother upland birds.

InstructionsFind a barrel which did not contain pesticides orother toxic chemicals. The barrels most commonlyavailable are those which contained petroleumproducts. Ensure any residue is washed from theinside of such barrels.

Remove one end of the barrel. This will become thetop end into which grain is poured. Do notattempt cutting out the end with a cuttingtorch as vapors within the barrel may beexplosive. Instead, use a saber saw with a metalcutting blade or a large hammer and metal cuttingchisel.

Make a 12" cut lengthwise along the bottom edgeof the barrel about 2" above the bottom base ring.The cut should be started by first drilling a 3/8"hole where the cut will begin. Cut 12" across thebottom beginning at the 3/8" hole with a sabersaw and fine metal cutting blade.

Pound in the metal above the 12" cut. The resultshould be a half-moon shaped opening that willrelease grain as it is taken from the small trayopening below.

If the barrel did not come with a lid, cut a sectionof exterior plywood slightly larger than the openingin the top of the barrel. Secure this lid to thebarrel using tarp straps. Eye bolts can befastened to both the barrel and the plywood forpoints to hook the straps. As an alternate andmore simple method, nail three small blocks ofwood on the bottom side of the lid just inside thetop edge of the barrel and place a brick or otherheavy object on top to hold the lid in place.



Predator Guards

"Predator proofing" is an important aspect to consider during the construction phase of birdnest boxes or feeders. This simple step can prevent unwanted predators from destroying eggsor young in a nest box and make your feeder more attractive for wary birds.

All of the predator guards shown below serve the same purpose – to keep predators such ashouse cats, raccoons, and snakes from scaling the support post to your nest box or feeder.Wood posts are the easiest for predators to climb because they provide a rough surface with agood grip. Metal pipes or posts are less likely to be climbed successfully.

Materials to build predators guards can be made from tin, sheet metal, aluminum, or heavyplastic. A good source of cheap sheeting is often a newspaper office. Aluminum sheets are usedto make the impression to print the newspaper and are recycled afterwards.

36"

Pipe Guard

Metal Cone Guard

Sheet MetalTree Band

12" - 14"

2 flat piecesof metal (36")


Building Bird Feeders is a Great Pastime

Self Improvement

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