December 20, 2022

DIY Holiday Feeder for Birds

How to Make

Festive Feeders for Birds

Providing a treat for the winter birds and keeping the family entertained, what could be better during the holiday season? Your family may already be in the habit of setting out bird feeders and suet blocks, but making your own bird food and sharing happy times together makes this activity even more special. All you need to begin are a few simple supplies and some helping hands for this fun, wintertime activity.

How To Make a

Garland for the Birds

Get the popcorn popping! Making popcorn garlands is a great, mindless activity that keeps hands busy, families happy, and birds well-fed. The popcorn provides fiber, carbs, and iron for a bird’s diet, as well as our own.

Choose plain, air-popped popcorn, skip the butter and salt, get cozy by the fire, and begin stringing. Using a thick, nylon thread or fishing line on a sewing needle, simply poke through the puffiest part of the kernel. Add fresh cranberries to your garland for a traditional, festive flair. For an extra treat, add slices of oranges to the garland. Thimbles or protective finger gear is advised to avoid finger pricks!

Pinecone Feeders

for the birds

Another excellent winter bird feeding activity is making pinecone feeders, which double as natural tree ornaments. Start by looping twine, fishing line, or a pipe cleaner on the top of a pinecone, which will eventually be used to hang it on a tree.

Roll the pinecone in your choice of peanut butter or shortening, like Crisco. Use a spoon or a popsicle stick to evenly distribute the “spread” of choice, then roll the pinecone in your favorite birdseed mix. Sprinkle and lightly pack down the seed to cover all areas.

Shop Bird Seed

Bundle up &

Start Decorating

Now that you’ve made pinecone ornaments and strands of garland it’s time to bundle up and decorate outdoors! It’s best to choose an evergreen tree or shrub near a window, so you’ll be able to watch the birds enjoy the edible decorations. Evergreens provide shelter from winter weather, and protection from predators, plus they make a festive backdrop for your decorations.

First, drape the plant with the garland. Try to secure the ends to the tree, so larger birds can’t pull off the entire garland. Next, hand your pinecone feeder ornaments from sturdy branches. Head back inside and cozy up to watch your feathered friends enjoy their festive winter treat!

 

A Video Guide to

DIY Bird Feeders

If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family, creating edible ornaments for the birds is a wonderful way to spend time together and support our Northeast Ohio wildlife. In this video, Noelle demonstrates just how easy it is to get the family involved in creating homemade feeders for the birds.

bringing it all together

like a boss

Whether you try your hand at making homemade, edible decorations or fill birdfeeders with suet and seed, it’s always a great idea to feed our feathered friends each winter.

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