Home DIY 18 DIY Bird Feeder Ideas For A Lively Garden

18 DIY Bird Feeder Ideas For A Lively Garden

by Marry Dell

There is nothing better than enjoying a cup of tea while strolling in the garden and listening to songbirds, right? Creating some feeders right in your garden to attract lovely birds is a great way to hear funny sounds.

And in the post, we’ve summed up 18 DIY Bird Feeder Ideas For A Lively Garden. These DIY bird feeder projects are a fun way to liven up your yard without breaking your budget. What’s even better, wild birds will also thank you for free food.

Instead of buying bird feeders easily outside, going the handmade route allows you to have complete design control and take advantage of old items in your home, such as teacups, old shoes, mason jars, plastic bottles, and more. Most of them are easy projects, even for beginners, just with a little effort and time.

If you love DIY projects and creativity, these exciting and unique bird feeders are the way to go. Don’t hesitate, save your unused things at home and try making!

#1 Old Shoe Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Boredpanda

You got a worn-out boot lying around? Don’t toss it, hang it! This clever bird feeder turns an old shoe into a cozy nesting nook.

All you have to do is stuff it with soft twigs or moss and secure it to a tree. The high sides protect little hatchlings from the wind, while the deep toe offers just the right shelter.

It’s rustic, it’s charming, and best of all, it gives your garden that whimsical, lived-in feel. Plus, watching a mama bird come and go like this? Pure magic.

#2 Marson Jar Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Theartinlife

This sweet little feeder looks straight out of a country kitchen! All you need is a mason jar, a ribbon or sturdy fabric strip, and an old wooden spoon.

Fill the jar with birdseed, tie it securely to a branch, and let the spoon catch the falling seeds instant dining spot for your feathered visitors. The red gingham adds a playful, picnic-like charm that brightens up any yard.

It’s simple, practical, and gives your garden a delightful homemade touch that birds will love.

#3 Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Flick

Don’t toss that soda bottle, turn it into a bird buffet instead! This upcycled bird feeder is as easy as it gets: just cut small openings on the sides, poke a wooden skewer or chopstick through the base for a perch, and fill it up with birdseed.

Hang it from a tree with some twine, and you’ve got yourself a no-fuss feeder that birds can’t resist. It’s budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and a great weekend craft that both kids and adults can enjoy together.

#4 Carton Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Momes

Here’s a charming way to give your empty milk carton a second life! This carton bird feeder looks like a tiny fairy house in the trees, complete with popsicle-stick shingles and leafy vines for decoration.

A simple oval cutout acts as the feeding station, while a small twig serves as a perch for your feathered visitors. Just hang it with sturdy twine and fill it with seeds.

It’s easy to make, fun to decorate, and gives your garden a cozy, handcrafted feel that birds (and humans) will love.

#5 Coconut Shell Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Mariaedith59

This coconut shell bird feeder is both eco-friendly and naturally beautiful. With just a clean, halved coconut and some sturdy twine, you’ve got the perfect rustic perch for hungry songbirds.

Fill it with birdseed, suet, or dried fruit, and hang it from a tree branch where it gently sways in the breeze. It blends right into your garden, offering birds a cozy, safe snack stop while adding a simple tropical touch to your yard.

Best part? It’s compostable and costs you almost nothing.

#6 Citrus Peel Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Sherisilver

This bright citrus peel bird feeder is as refreshing as it is clever. Just scoop out the inside of an orange, fill the hollowed peel with birdseed, and tie it up with twine. It’s light, biodegradable, and smells wonderful too.

Birds get a nutritious snack, and you get a pop of color and charm hanging from your trees. It’s the kind of quick weekend craft that makes your outdoor space feel a bit more magical—simple, cheerful, and zero waste.

#7 Painted Tin Can Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Thegardenglove

An old can gets a fun makeover with bright green paint and purple polka dots, then a matching ribbon for hanging. Add a wooden perch through the side, and you’ve got a cozy snack stop for your feathered guests.

It’s simple, cheerful, and adds a quirky pop of color to your garden. Plus, it’s sturdy enough to last through the seasons.

#8 Clay Pot Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Clemaroundthecorner

Two clay pots and a matching saucer are cleverly stacked and suspended to create a stylish feeding station with multiple entry points. A tiny ceramic bird on top adds a sweet, decorative touch.

It’s perfect if you want a feeder that blends into your garden while offering a rustic, handmade charm. Strong, weather-resistant, and easy to refill, it’s a win for you and your feathered friends.

#9 Walnut Shell Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Gartenbuddelei

Tiny, cute, and totally natural! These walnut shell feeders are the sweetest little treat stations for small birds. Each shell half is filled with birdseed and tied up with simple twine, so that it is easy to hang anywhere from branches to garden hooks.

This is a great project for kids or anyone who wants a fun and eco-friendly craft. It adds a playful charm to your yard, plus it’s biodegradable and bird-approved.

#10 Plastic Milk Jug Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Maison

This upcycled milk jug feeder is a budget-friendly gem you can whip up in minutes. Just cut a couple of windows, poke a hole for a twig perch, and fill the bottom with seeds.

The handle makes it super easy to hang from any tree branch. It may not be fancy, but it does the job perfectly, and birds love it!

#11 Egg Carton Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Hearthandmade

This idea turns your empty egg carton into a charming little buffet for birds. Just cut it in half, fill the cups with seeds, and hang it up using some twine or yarn. It’s lightweight, easy to make, and great for getting kids involved.

Plus, each cup acts as a mini serving dish, so multiple birds can snack at the same time. Just remember to hang it on a calm day, it’s not built for windy weather!

#12 Teapot Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Diyinspired

Turn your old teapot into a garden treasure! This adorable feeder adds a sweet vintage charm while giving the birds a cozy place to snack.

Simply cut an opening in the side, fill it with seeds, and hang it securely from a chain or sturdy twine. The spout gives it that extra whimsical touch, like it’s pouring out joy for your feathered guests.

It’s a cute way to recycle chipped or unused china, and it looks magical nestled among leafy branches.

#13 Glass Wine Bottle Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Elo7

If you’ve got an empty wine bottle and some scrap wood, you’re halfway to this elegant bird buffet! The bottle slowly releases seeds into the wooden tray below.

A slanted roof keeps rain away, and the whole setup looks like something out of a rustic fairytale. It’s the perfect mix of upcycling and charm, and surprisingly easy to build with just a few nails and a bracket to hold the bottle in place.

Hang it on a fence or tree, and you’ve got a fancy feeder that birds (and guests) will love.

#14 Macrame Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Deliacreates

This sweet little feeder brings a touch of boho to your backyard. It’s just a small terracotta dish held up with simple macrame knots, but the result is beautiful and practical.

The open dish makes it easy for birds to snack, and the rope hanger gives it a cozy, handmade feel. Add a perch across the bottom, like a wooden stick or dowel, and you’ve got a charming space where birds can swing and nibble.

It’s light, easy to make, and looks great near a window or patio.

#15 Teacup Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Diyinspired

This teacup bird feeder is dainty and delightful. A single teacup is tilted on its matching saucer, forming a cozy nook for birdseed. The design makes it easy for little birds to perch and peck.

You only need strong glue to hold the cup in place and a chain to hang it. Hang it from a branch, and you’ve got a classy touch in your garden. It’s a lovely way to reuse old china and make your outdoor space feel magical.

#16 Woven Willow Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Hobbylesson

Handwoven from willow or similar branches, the bowl-shaped top holds seeds while giving birds a rustic landing spot. Mounted on a tall stick or pole, it keeps the seed dry and safe from ground critters.

It’s simple but elegant and perfect if you want something that looks like it grew right out of your garden. You won’t need glue or fancy tools, just some weaving patience and a love for birds.

#17 Old Chandelier Bird Feeder

Image Credits: John Morales

This stunning DIY feeder turns a discarded chandelier into a glamorous buffet for birds. Each arm now holds a small dish filled with seeds, like a floral centerpiece where birds are the guests of honor.

The chandelier’s bold yellow paint adds cheerful charm and helps it pop against the greenery. You can hang it from a sturdy tree branch or pergola using a heavy-duty hook.

Best part? It feeds many birds at once, making it a real backyard showstopper. A bit quirky, a bit classy, just the way I like it.

#18 Teapot and Cup Bird Feeder

Image Credits: Jeitodecasa

A vintage teapot mounted to a rustic wood plank sits above a matching floral teacup and saucer, both cleverly filled with birdseed. The open spout adds a whimsical touch, as if it’s gently pouring seeds into the cup below.

Installed against a tree trunk, this setup feels storybook-perfect and adds instant cottagecore charm to any garden. It’s simple to recreate using strong adhesive or brackets and a bit of creative placement.

I can already imagine little sparrows lined up like afternoon tea guests.

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