How to make a DIY bottle bird feeder – an expert ornithologist reveals how to reuse old bottles to help local wildlife

Feeding birds is a simple way to help local wildlife. Providing feeders gives birds vital nutrition to help support declining populations.

However, you don't need to spend lots of money on feeders. You can turn old soda and wine bottles into bird feeders, keeping trash out of landfills and saving a little cash.

I spoke to an ornithologist and bird feeder expert about their experiences making DIY bottle bird feeders, and they gave me some helpful steps for making this wildlife garden idea.

What you need for a DIY bottle bird feeder

• A drill, like this Worx cordless drill on Amazon
• 1/4" drill bits
• 1/8" drill bits
• A clean plastic bottle, milk jug, yogurt pot or wine bottle
• 1/4" wooden dowels
• String
• Small rocks or marbles

Step 1: Cut the holes

The first step is to cut some holes. Ornithologist Dr. Sara Kaiser says: 'Wash out your desired container and let it dry completely. Then, very carefully cut out several small holes along the sides near the bottom using paper scissors or a box cutter.'

Scissors are the fastest method, but they aren't always the cleanest. Bird feeding expert Isabelle Manseau says you can use a drill for a clean cut. 'You can use a regular drill bit into plastic, but I suggest spinning the bit backward for a cleaner cut.'

However you cut it, make sure the holes are small. While you can cut a single large hole, this encourages squirrels and overeating. Dr. Kaiser advises 'Make sure the holes are large enough for a bird’s head to fit inside but small enough that a bird will not be able to climb inside.'

Dr Sara Kaiser

Dr Kaiser is the Director of the Hubbard Brook Field Ornithology Program. She is a research Ecologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Isabelle Manseau

Isabelle is a bird-lover and the founder of Birdzy, a company which specialises in hand-made bird-feeding products.

Step 2: Add the perches

You then need to add some perches underneath the feeding holes. You can use dowels like these from Amazon, old wooden spoons, or sturdy sticks from the garden.

Dr. Sara Kaiser says: 'Use a single hole punch or skewer to punch two small holes about the size of your dowels on opposite side of your container just below the openings you have cut. Insert the dowels into these holes so that the ends of the wood stick out on both sides. These will serve as perches for the feeding birds.'

The only thing to bear in mind is that the dowels should be near the feeding holes. Isabelle says: 'The most important measurement is the distance between the perch and the feeding hole where the seed dispenses. This distance should be 1-1/4” inches.'

Step 3: Add rocks, sand, or marbles

The next step is to fill the bottom of the bottle with marbles, sand, or small stones. You should fill the bottle up to roughly the bottom of the lowest feeding hole. This means no seed is wasted, as any seed under the feeding hole will be inaccessible to visiting birds.

Isabelle explains: 'You will want to fill the area bellow the feeding port with marbles or rocks to cover the part of the bottle the birds cannot access. The marbles or rocks prevent seed from going to waste.'

Step 4: Hang the feeder

Finally, hang up your bird feeder. This final step is easy. Cut or drill two more holes in the neck of your bottle and then thread string or wire through. This will let you hang your bottle bird feeder from any tree in the yard.

Dr. Sara Kaiser says: 'Punch two holes at the top of your container and thread a string through in a large loop. Then fill your new feeder with desired birdseed and hang near your house.'

You could also use a wine bottle - but be aware it takes more work

You don't have to use a plastic bottle, and one of the experts I spoke to says that wine bottles are a better option. Isabelle Manseau says: 'Wine bottles are my preferred choice. It is a little more effort to drill through glass, but it will last much longer and look way better. I am not a big fan of plastic bottles. They are not designed to withstand UV damage and will deteriorate over time. This can’t be good for bird food.'

Instead, Isabelle says you can use old wine bottles. However, it's a trickier process.

'For glass, you will need diamond-coated drill bits,' she says. 'I recommend keeping a steady stream of water onto the bit while cutting. The weight of the drill is the perfect amount of pressure.'

If all of the above is too much work, you can also buy traditional bird feeders.

FAQs

Can I have a bird feeder during bird flu?

There is no federal advice to remove bird feeders during the current outbreak of avian flu. You should only remove your bird feeder if you also keep poultry or live near a farm, or if you see dead birds in your yard. However, keeping your bird feeder clean is a vital part of limiting the spread of avian flu. If you're at all worried about bird flu, take down your bird feeder.

Bird feeders aren't the only DIY solution for helping native birds. There are also lots of ways to make a DIY bird bath from plant pots and saucers, providing birds with a vital way to water and clean themselves.