Make your own Bird Feeder with these easy steps

When residences are constructed and landscaped, birds lose their nesting habitats, shelter, and natural food sources. Over the past few decades, a number of native bird species have disappeared or gone extinct due to this type of expansion, generally in the colder months, from a lack of sufficient food sources. For this reason, every homeowner is liable for correctly feeding the birds and contributing to the preservation of endangered species.

Do you want to lend a helping hand to birds? If you have a backyard and you are willing to spend your time and commitment into consistently and adequately feeding birds, here is how you can make a bird feeder designed to do just that.

Find the suitable dish

The first thing you have to do is get a dish that can stay steady in the wind and when birds sit on it. This is why a heavier dish with a wide diameter would be an excellent choice as it would provide the feeder more stability. Additionally, a larger dish will be able to allow a higher number of birds to sit at a time. Some small bird species such as Finches prefer getting fed in groups and a large dish would be appropriate for that purpose. Besides, a large dish will also not sway when birds land on the edges of the feeder, which is where they normally feed on the seeds from and consequently help to prevent seeds from dropping down.

Make the cables and clasps the right size

Once you have found a proper dish, measure and trace three spots on the rim. One way to do this is by laying a strip around the dish to get the correct circumference and later transferring the length to a tape measure and splitting that into three. When you have marked the places, carefully drill holes and try to refrain from cracking the dish. The next step is determining the elevation of the feeder. Mark and cut three equal portions of a chain or cable and do not neglect to consider the drop of the hook. Attach the clasp to the dish.

The right feeding spot is important

Choose a suitable place where you can suspend it. Choose a location readily accessible to birds and far from the range of cats. Lastly, keep the seed in the dish and you have a functional bird feeder ready.

While there are other plastic feeders available in the market, they are very brittle and will not last you long. With your own feeder, though, you can go with any design and color to suit your preferences and make a feeder that lasts for years.