Making a bird feeder: a simple shelter for winter
Making a bird feeder is an ideal project to start DIY: it only requires wood scraps, a small saw and a drill, for a result used from the first cold spells. The garden birds will thank you all winter, and you will enjoy a natural show from your window. Here is a simple 30 × 25 cm plan with a removable roof.
The materials and dimensions
The simplest model is a table feeder: a tray for the seeds, edges to hold them in, and a small roof that protects from rain and snow. A 30 × 25 cm tray and a 35 × 25 cm roof in scraps of plywood or pine board work perfectly. The walls and roof are assembled with 3.5 × 30 mm wood screws. Budget about 10 euros if you have to buy the scraps. Make the roof removable by simply fixing it on two posts screwed to the tray: you can then clean the feeder and refill it without tools, even in the middle of winter.
- 1 board or 18 mm plywood: 30 × 25 cm tray, 35 × 25 cm roof
- 4 battens of about 15 mm for the tray edges
- 2 small brackets or 2 battens to connect the roof
- 3.5 × 30 mm wood screws and wood glue
- Option: a rod or stick to slide a corn cob onto
The assembly in seven steps
- Cut out the tray (30 × 25 cm) and the roof (35 × 25 cm) from the board
- Fix the edge battens on three sides of the tray, leaving the fourth side open
- Drill 4 holes at the corners of the tray for hanging (wire or cord)
- Assemble the roof on two small posts or brackets above the tray
- Sand all the edges to avoid splinters
- Apply an exterior stain or oil to all faces
- Hang the feeder on a branch, about 1.5 m from the ground, out of reach of cats
The right location
The location determines how often the feeder is visited. Place it in an open area but close to a shrub or hedge, which serves as a refuge for the birds in case of danger. Avoid areas too exposed to wind, as the seeds would be carried away and birds reluctant to land. A height of about 1.5 m limits predation risks from cats, provided they cannot climb from a nearby piece of furniture or fence. The roof also protects the seeds from rain and snow, preventing them from sprouting or going moldy on the tray.
Which birds come to the feeder?
A well-placed feeder attracts many visitors: great and blue tits, robins, greenfinches, chaffinches, sparrows and sometimes goldfinches depending on the region. Habits differ: some species prefer seeds on the ground, others perch on the edges. If you observe little activity at first, give the birds time to spot the feeder, they usually get used to it within a few days.
Which seeds to choose?
- Black sunflower seeds: very popular with tits and finches
- Unsalted peanuts: high-energy in winter, to offer in a specific feeder
- Commercial wild bird mixes: convenient and balanced
- Bread crumbs, cheese scraps and fruit: only in small quantities, never salted
- To avoid: raw rice, overly salty foods and milk
The mistakes to avoid
- Hanging the feeder too close to a wall: cats reach it easily
- Letting the seeds go moldy: stock that stays damp becomes bad for the birds
- Using protruding screws or nails: injury risk
- Painting with an interior paint: apply an exterior stain or oil
Making a bird feeder only requires an afternoon and a few wood scraps. Tray, edges and a small roof are enough to offer a dry, welcoming shelter to tits, robins and other winter visitors. Remember to maintain it regularly, choose good seeds and position it well, and you will turn your garden into a refuge for the local small wildlife during the cold season. It is also an excellent first project to do with children, who will learn to observe birds while learning the basics of DIY safely.