Make a Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

Recycled plastic bottles make great bird feeders!   A little birdseed and a perch are all you need to add to make a very effective bird feeder.   For this week’s activity, we will make a bird feeder using recycled plastic bottles and wooden spoons!

Materials: Plastic bottle (can be a water bottle, soda bottle, or sports drink bottle)  Marker  Scissors  Craft Knife  Wooden spoon(s)  Small eye screw (Optional)  Bird seed  String or twine

Step 1 - Prepare Bottle Remove the bottle wrapper and thoroughly clean and rinse it out.   Save the bottle cap because it protects the birdseed inside and can also act as a hanger!   Let the bottle dry completely.

Step 2 - Mark and Cut About an inch from the bottom of the bottle, draw a one-inch diameter circle (about a quarter coin sized).   Directly across from the circle on the opposite side of the bottle, mark an “X.” If you're using a small bottle like a small sports drink or bottled water, one spoon is probably enough.   For a larger bottle, mark another circle about half or 2/3 of the way up the bottle.  And again, directly across from that circle, mark an “X.” Using scissors or a craft knife, carefully cut out the circles. Then, cut the “X” marks to make slits.

Step 3 - Spoon Insert a wooden spoon, handle end first, through the circle and out through the “X” marked slits.  The spoon acts as a perch and also collects seed as the birds eat!  If you’re using two spoons, do the same thing for your second set of cutouts.

Step 4 –Cap (Optional) An eye screw provides a convenient way to hang your bird feeder!   Screw a small eye screw to the bottle cap, with the “eye” on top.

Step 5 – Birdseed Pour birdseed into the bottle.   Use a funnel to make it easier!

Step 6 – Cap Screw on the bottle cap once the bird feeder is full.  If you attached an eye hook, tie some string to the eye to hang it. Otherwise, loop string around the bottle neck.

Step 7– Hang Place your bird feeder outside in a sheltered location for your birds to enjoy!

FBBG PROGRAM UPDATE ALL APRIL CHILDREN'S AND ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES (BIRD MIGRATION) HAVE BEEN POSTPONED!

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