Let’s make a hummingbird feeder! Today we are going to show you how to make a hummingbird feeder for your backyard. This homemade hummingbird feeder is the perfect DIY project for the whole family, and kids of all ages can get involved.
How to Make a DIY Hummingbird Feeder
This DIY project helps tThe importance of recycling to every child, learning about birds and spending time outdoors this summer by making plastic bottles Hummingbird feeder from your recycling bin.
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DIY Homemade Plastic Bottle Hummingbird Feeder
As a child, I loved spending time at my grandmother’s house. Her backyard was filled with hummingbird feeders, and we loved watching them while sitting on the porch swing. I always helped her prepare homemade hummingbird nectar (see recipe below). I’m so excited to continue the tradition with my son this month! We at Hummingbird Buffet are excited to share a simple craft to recycle plastic water bottles.
need supplies For DIY Hummingbird Feeder
How to Make Hummingbird Feeders Out of Water Bottles
step 1
Cut out the flat bottom of each bowl, then put a bottle cap on it. Cut around the traced circle to make a flower shape.
step 2
Use the drill to make a hole in the top of each bottle cap that is just wide enough for a straw to fit through.
step 3
Punch a hole in the center of each red plastic flower and thread each through the end of a straw. Insert the straw into the bottle cap and seal with white glue. Make sure the bend of the straw is just outside the cap opening, so the straw is bent at an angle as it comes out of the bottle. This is where the hummingbird will drink!
step 4
Arrange the flower so that it is at the end of a twist of straw to attract hummingbirds. Glue in place. (You will need to remove the lid to add the elixir to the bottles, so keep that in mind when gluing!) My son loved gluing!
step 5
Let dry overnight.
step 6
Once set, wrap the wire around the neck of the bottle, then pull it up to create a hanger for the bottle.
step 7
We joined all three of our bottles together in a pyramid shape to create a buffet to attract hummingbirds! Use rubber bands to go around the top and hold the bottoms together.
It’s time to fill the feeders. Let’s make our own hummingbird food.
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Nectar Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup extra fine granulated imperial sugar
Steps for Making Hummingbird Food
- Boil the water. Remove from heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Refrigerate overnight.
How to Fill Hummingbird Feeders with Homemade Nectar
Add nectar to each bottle and trim both ends of your straws so that they allow water to flow down the inside of the straw.
You have to change the nectar frequently and keep it clean.
Hummingbird Tip: It is best not to use red dye/food coloring in hummingbird nectar as they can be toxic to birds and we can use red plastic flowers to attract birds to the food.
Hang Your Homemade Hummingbird Feeder
You’ll want to hang the water bottle feeder from a tree, post, or porch beam about 5 feet above the ground.
Make sure it’s secure.
how to attract hummingbirds to your feeder
Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. That’s why we created this homemade bottle feeder made with red plastic flowers. If you don’t have the materials to make them, using red ribbon or red recycled bottle caps can help!
Hummingbirds are also attracted to foliage environments where there are trees and shrubs to perch on. Even hummingbirds that seem to be in constant motion need to rest.
If you build a bunch of these feeders, place them around your yard so that each feeder establishes a hummingbird area. These birds are quite territorial and will fight just like babies…!
Oh, and if you attract hummingbirds who fall in love with your homemade feeder, they’ll come back year after year.
active time
20 minutes
total time
20 minutes
Difficulty
medium
Estimated cost
$5
Material
-
3 small plastic water bottles, empty and labels removed
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3 yellow drinking straws with twist
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3 disposable plastic red bowls (you can also use red plastic plates)
-
12 gauge craft wire
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rubber band
tool
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electric drill
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hole punch
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white glue
-
Scissor
Instruction
- Using the top of a water bottle, place it on the flat bottom of a red bowl (or plate) and cut out a flower shape larger than the top of the water bottle. Cut one out for each water bottle.
- Use the drill to make a straw-sized hole in the top of each water bottle.
- Thread the end of the straw through a hole in the center of each plastic flower.
- Insert straw inside water bottle cap and seal with white glue. Make sure the bend of the straw is just outside the cap opening, so the straw bends at an angle coming out of the bottle. (see picture)
- Arrange the flower so it is at the bent end of the straw to attract hummingbirds and glue in place.
- allow to dry.
- Wrap the wire around the neck of the bottle and pull upward to make a hanger for the bottle.
- Attach water bottles together in a pyramid shape to feed more than one hummingbird at a time. Use rubber bands to keep the bottles together.
- Fill with a homemade nectar made from 4 cups water and 1 cup sugar that has been boiled until boiling and then cooled completely.
- Fill and hang the feeder.
More Bird Activities and Crafts for Kids
Are hummingbirds visiting your homemade hummingbird feeder?
