Yes, you can definitely make hummingbird houses at home! Hummingbird houses, also known as hummingbird feeders or nectar feeders, provide a great way to attract these small, colorful birds to your yard. With a few simple materials and some basic woodworking or craft skills, you can easily construct customized hummingbird feeders to match your home’s style.
What are hummingbird houses?
Hummingbird houses are small, hanging birdhouses designed specifically to hold nectar for hummingbirds. The feeders consist of a container or reservoir to hold nectar, feeding ports or openings for the hummingbirds to access the nectar, and some sort of hanger or attachments to hang the feeder. Most feeders are made of plastic or glass, but you can also use wood or metal to create a more decorative, handcrafted look.
Key Features
When making a hummingbird house, there are a few key features to include:
- Nectar reservoir – This is where you will fill the nectar for feeding. Be sure the reservoir is easy to open and fill.
- Feeding ports – Small holes or openings where the birds can dip their long beaks and tongues into the nectar. They should be appropriately sized for hummingbirds.
- Hanger – A way to hang the feeder from a tree, hook, stand, etc. This could be an integrated hanger, hook, string, wire or chain.
- Perches – Small perches near the feeding ports give the hummingbirds a place to rest their tiny feet while feeding. Not all feeders have perches.
What materials do you need?
The great thing about DIY hummingbird feeders is that you can make them out of many common household items or recycled/repurposed materials you may already have. Here are some of the basic materials you’ll need for a standard hummingbird house:
Plastic Bottle Feeders
- Clean, empty plastic bottle – soda, water or juice bottles work well
- Scissors or craft knife
- Awl or drill (for holes)
- String or wire (for hanger)
- Hot glue gun
Mason Jar Feeders
- Glass mason jars or vases
- Hanger such as wire, string, or chain
- Drill or nail (for holes)
- S-hook, rope, or chain (for hanger)
- Super glue, E6000, or other strong adhesive
Wooden Feeders
- Small wooden box or tin
- Wooden dowels, chopsticks or sticks
- Wood glue or hot glue
- Saw and drill for making holes
- Acrylic paints and brushes for decoration (optional)
- Hanging wire or hooks
How do you build a hummingbird house?
The construction process will vary slightly depending on the type of materials you use, but the general steps are:
Plastic Bottle Feeder
- Wash and dry an empty plastic bottle thoroughly.
- Use the awl or drill to make 2-4 small holes near the bottom of the bottle for the hummingbirds to feed.
- Make another small hole at the top to insert string or wire for hanging.
- Thread string or wire through the top hole and knot or loop it to create a hanger.
- Optional: Decorate the bottle by painting or adding stickers.
Mason Jar Feeder
- Clean and dry the mason jar thoroughly.
- Use a drill or hammer and nail to make 2-4 holes around the sides of the jar, near the bottom.
- Insert an eye hook or piece of wire into the lid for hanging.
- Secure the lid tightly.
- Attach S-hook or string to the eye hook to create a hanger.
- Optional: Paint or decorate the jar.
Wooden Feeder
- Cut wood pieces according to your design plans.
- Drill small holes for feeding ports and a larger hole for nectar reservoir.
- Glue or nail wood pieces together into your desired shape.
- Attach a wood dowel perch with glue or nails below the feeding ports.
- Attach eye hooks or saw a groove for hanging wire.
- Decorate the feeder as desired with paint, stains, etc.
- Apply polyurethane or outdoor sealant if placing outdoors.
Tips for making successful feeders
Follow these tips to make effective, safe hummingbird feeders:
- Use very small holes for feeding ports – hummingbirds have tiny beaks and tongues.
- Smooth any rough edges on holes.
- Make sure all parts are securely glued or attached.
- Use good quality materials that won’t leak.
- Don’t use any paints or materials with toxic chemicals.
- Clean and disinfect feeders thoroughly before first use.
- Make sure hangers are durable enough to hold the weight.
- Consider adding rain guards or placing under cover if using wood or other delicate materials.
Where to place hummingbird feeders
To attract hummingbirds, place your feeders in strategic spots around your yard:
- Hang near gardens, flower beds, or other natural sources of nectar.
- Place in a tree or shrub area for small bursts of cover.
- Position out of direct sunlight to keep nectar fresher.
- Avoid areas near constant activity or noise.
- Consider views from your home so you can enjoy watching them feed!
Aim for spots about 5-10 feet off the ground and make sure to refill nectar regularly. You’ll be rewarded with bright, buzzing hummingbird visitors all season long!
Conclusion
Constructing your own hummingbird feeder is a fun, rewarding DIY project that can be customized to your own tastes. With just a few simple materials and tools, you can build a beautiful feeder that will attract jewel-colored hummingbirds to your garden. Place your feeder properly and keep it clean and filled, and you’ll love watching these energetic birds feed while adding vibrant life to your yard.