Hummingbirds are beneficial pollinators, and they’re some of the most beautiful creatures on Earth. Sadly, you can only spot for a moment before they’re gone. Whether you enjoy these winged wonders or want to bring more into your garden, there are plenty of tricks. For example, you can use both flowering plants and a hummingbird feeder to attract them! Read on for some fabulous DIY feeder ideas.
Attract These Beautiful Birds
A combination of both feeders and flowers is the perfect way to double the numbers of birds you see each season. Feeders also help the birds want to move in closer. Otherwise, they may fly so fast you don’t see them with your naked eye.
A hummingbird feeder is an excellent gift for a special gardener in your life. This is especially true if they’re interested in helping pollinators, or bringing more wildlife to their garden. The process is easy and can be nearly free for most people. Contrary to popular thought, you don’t have to spend big bucks for a store-bought feeder.
Make your own as a gift for your favorite gardener this holiday season using any of these nine creative DIY hummingbird feeder ideas. You can recycle old plastic or glass bottles, use jars or test tubes, and much more!
1. Test Tube Feeder
Unlike any other feeder on this list, the DIY test tube feeder doesn’t look like a tool for hummingbirds. It’s made by decorating the test tubes and attaching a plastic flower to the end. The feeder hangs from a wire with decorative beads and swirls to bring an attractive aesthetic, and you can decorate it however you like.
However, what truly makes this hummingbird feeder unique is the multiple hanging options. Not only will birds be drawn to your feeder, you can also place it in a window, or use it as a hand-held option.
2. DIY Chandelier Feeder
If you have an old metal hanging basket around your home, upcycle it into a cheap hummingbird feeder. Slap on a layer of paint and turn the hanging basket upside down. Then hang store-bought mini feeders from the spokes. It’s as easy as that!
Plus, imagine how many birds will come to your yard to feed with so many options available to them. This project is excellent for a dedicated hummingbird garden. Furthermore, if you want to create a 100% free version, make your mini feeders from small plastic water bottles. It’s a project your kids will enjoy too.
3. Fancy Metal Chandelier Hummingbird Feeder
For a fancier-looking DIY feeder from upcycled chandeliers, try out this detailed tutorial from Renovated Faith. You can use an old chandelier from the trash or your local thrift store. Then use empty baby food jars or small glass spice containers for the tiny feeders.
The best part is that this feeder can fill a large number of birds in a single location. That way, they don’t need to fight over who gets the sweet nectar. The webpage also offers a cheaper—yet equally as impressive—DIY hummingbird feeder that can also house a hanging plant.
4. Macrame
Lovely Indeed provides a super easy macrame tutorial to accommodate your outdoor hummingbird feeder. All you need is a clear bottle (any color), macrame cord, and scissors. You can also use spray paint if you want the cord to be any color other than white. Add a little sugar water to the bottle, plug it with a hummingbird feeder tube, and hang it up from a hook.
The tutorial is surprisingly easy to complete by yourself. I used the same instructions (with a few small tweaks) to make my tiny macrame plant holder. If you can tie a knot, you can get through this project in no time.
5. Plastic Bottle
Most plastic bottle hummingbird feeder ideas are straightforward, but this option looks absolutely stunning. One rule to remember is that dull, colorless feeders won’t attract many hummingbirds. If you want to increase the number of birds that frequent your yard, the bright red color on this design will do the trick. This is because they’re attracted to red more than any other hue.
To make this feeder, follow the steps on the Crafting Chicks. You’ll draw and cut out foam flowers to attach to the bottle and dress up the design by adding red dots of paint or stickers. Cut straws allow the hummingbirds to feast, but don’t expect a feeder like this to keep out insects like wasps or ants.
6. DIY Glass Jar Hummingbird Feeder
For a project that you can complete with your kids in a few short hours, a DIY hummingbird feeder made from a baby food jar is a cute little option. Many other tutorials use large bottles or even coffee ground tins to house the nectar. In contrast, this feeder is more shallow to provide easier access to the food.
I love tutorials where you can upcycle everyday household items rather than adding to the amount of trash piling up. Follow the six-step tutorial to make yours, and don’t be afraid to allow your creativity to wander when creating the flowers. These colorful pieces add texture and design, but they also attract hummingbirds. Keep in mind, however, that you can embellish the glass jars however you see fit.
7. Drip-Proof Wine Bottle Feeder
While you can use any type of bottle to make a DIY hummingbird feeder, wine bottle tutorials are a great way to use recycled materials. Wrap copper wire around the bottle to create a cage it can safely hang from, and add a touch of style. Aluminum metal craft wire is ideal because it’s easy to bend, but copper or brass looks great outdoors.
Unlike some of the other tutorials, this project uses an adapter tube to fit inside the bottle’s opening and keep the nectar from dripping out.
I suggest you select vintage wine bottles with etchings in the glass or bright color (red, yellow, and pink are ideal). Some people prefer to re-use a wine bottle from a memorable occasion, like a wedding. If you don’t drink, ask a friend who does to save some bottles for you. Alternatively, glass olive oil bottles with similar-sized openings also work well. Artisan bottles are free at local restaurants too: just ask nicely.
For a bonus, you can even paint flowers on the bottle.
8. Mosaic
Instead of using paint to bring color to your hummingbird feeder, you can make a stunning mosaic bottle. Either plan out your design from scratch or use an online mosaic design that’s easy to adapt. Collect smaller ceramic or glass tiles to decorate with as you see fit.
You can also use beads or other small objects like seashells. Decide what mediums you want to incorporate, and try to use bright hues like red and yellow to attract more birds.
Follow the eight-step tutorial for a glass mosaic bottle on eHow. There is also an excellent tutorial on mixing the grout and completing the same steps using seashells on Kenarry. Allow the mosaic to dry for at least 24 hours, and then paint it with a sealer to keep it safe from the elements.
9. Crown Royal Bottle Feeder
Before you think about throwing your bottles in the trash after a night out, think again. They don’t have to wind up in a landfill. Turn a liquor bottle into a hummingbird feeder using this simple HGTV tutorial. You’ll need to drill a few holes into the thick glass, so it’s a project better for adults than children. Keep in mind to always use safety glasses and gloves for safety.
A Crown Royal bottle isn’t required, though. You can also complete this tutorial with any glass bottle you have around the home, whether it’s from a soda, beer, liquor, or wine. Recycle any heavy-bottom glass bottle, or trade in the glass altogether for a safer plastic option.
The point is to use a bottle that’s covered in delicate glass etchings, and I love how they make the nectar appear like liquor. The humor in thinking about drunk hummingbirds is sure to bring laughs to your garden. It’s a great conversation starter.
Food coloring is the final touch to make the nectar appear more like liquor. That said, many people recommend avoiding food coloring additions to the nectar. This is because some types can harm the hummingbirds. For this reason, you might want to stick to regular sugar water and use a tequila bottle tutorial instead.
Use Your Imagination
Follow these tutorials for the best results, but don’t forget to let your creativity wander as well. Dress up the feeder in varying ways. If it helps, you can match the decorative aspects to the bird lover or gardener in your life.
Think about hummingbirds’ symbolic meaning, as well as the person you want to gift this to. For example, these birds represent abundant happiness in life, independent nature, playfulness, joyous activities, adaptation to your surroundings, and the ability to respond swiftly. If there’s someone special in your life who embodies these traits, they’re sure to share kinship with such magical flying creatures too.