Making your own bird feeder is an easy and fun project that the whole family can enjoy. It’s also inexpensive, eco-friendly, and allows you to get creative with recyclable materials. In this guide, we’ll show you how to transform a 2 litre plastic bottle into a functional and decorative bird feeder that will attract beautiful birds to your garden or balcony.
Bird feeders made from 2 litre bottles are versatile, customizable, and easy to make. The plastic bottle construction is durable and weather-resistant, while also being lightweight enough to hang from trees or hooks. With a few simple tools and materials, you can create a practical bird feeder in under an hour. Customize it with paints and decorations to match your style.
Benefits of a 2 Litre Bottle Bird Feeder
There are many advantages to making a homemade bird feeder from a 2 litre plastic bottle:
- Cost effective – 2 litre bottles are free and readily available from your own recycling bin.
- Reuses household waste – Repurposing plastic bottles is environmentally friendly.
- Lightweight and durable – Plastic won’t rot or deteriorate like wood feeders.
- Customizable design – Decorate your feeder however you’d like!
- Easy to clean – The plastic surface just needs soap and water.
- Controlled feeding – The bottle limits how much seed gets dispensed.
- Fun project for kids – Simple enough for children to participate.
As you can see, a 2 litre bottle creates the ideal bird feeder frame. Next, we’ll go over the supplies you need and the step-by-step instructions.
Supplies You’ll Need
Making a 2 litre bottle bird feeder requires minimal tools and materials you probably already have at home:
- Empty 2 litre plastic bottle
- Scissors or craft knife
- Ruler
- Permanent marker
- Hammer and nail (or drill/hole punch)
- Wire or string
- Bird seed
- (Optional) Acrylic paint & paintbrushes for decorating
The most important thing is finding a 2 litre plastic bottle. Look for clear ones with flat, smooth sides that will be easy to cut and drill into. Soda bottles work perfectly. Rinse thoroughly before starting.
Now gather some simple craft supplies like scissors, rulers, hammers, and needle-nose pliers. Have some wire, string, or fishing line available to hang up your feeder. And don’t forget the bird seed!
How to Make the Bird Feeder
With your 2 litre bottle and supplies ready, it’s time to create your bird feeder. Just follow these steps:
- Clean and dry the bottle thoroughly. Make sure no soap residue remains inside.
- Use the ruler and marker to measure and mark the dimensions. Mark a rectangle about 15-20cm tall by 10-15cm wide. This will be your seed dispensing window.
- Carefully cut out the plastic window. Use scissors or a craft knife to cut along your markings. This opening will allow seed to gradually fall out as birds feed.
- Make several small holes near the bottle mouth. Use a hammer and nail or drill holes about 1cm wide around the top. Space them about 2cm apart. These holes will allow birds to more easily access the seed.
- Poke one large hole on opposite sides of the bottle. Make these holes big enough to thread your hanging wire or string through. They should be near the bottle mouth below the small holes.
- Add a plastic or wood perch. Drill or cut a hole below your window opening. Insert a small wooden dowel or cut plastic rod through this hole so birds have a place to perch.
- Thread wire or string through the holes. Tie it securely at the top to create a hanging loop. You can hang your feeder or add more string/wire to raise it up.
- Decorate and paint your feeder (optional). Use acrylic craft paints and paintbrushes to paint your bottle if desired. Add patterns, designs, your name, etc.
- Fill the bottom with bird seed. Pour seed through the top until the bottle is about 1/3 full. Your feeder is ready to hang up and enjoy!
Follow these basic steps to create your own functional 2 litre bottle bird feeder. Feel free to get creative with the exact size and placement of holes, perches, and feeding windows. Place your feeder in an open spot near trees or shrubs so birds can rest while eating. Now it’s time to sit back and wait for your feathered friends to pay a visit!
Positioning Your Bird Feeder
Where you place your 2 litre bottle bird feeder in your yard or garden can make all the difference for attracting birds. Here are some tips:
- Hang your feeder near trees, shrubs, or other natural cover. This gives birds a safe place to perch and retreat if threatened.
- Choose a location about 5-10 feet off the ground. A pole with hook, tree branch, deck railing, or other raised spot works well.
- Face the feeder opening towards a bush, tree, or other landing spot. Birds will feel safer if they can fly in and out easily.
- Avoid placing directly against your home. Crashing into windows will disorient and injure birds.
- Select a visible spot where you can enjoy bird watching through a window indoors.
- Move your feeder around occasionally so the area doesn’t become overcrowded with bird seed.
Positioning the bird feeder correctly takes some trial and error. Observe where birds tend to gather in your yard and place it nearby. You’ll be rewarded with active and entertaining bird viewing!
Filling Your Bird Feeder
To keep your 2 litre bottle bird feeder fully stocked for visiting birds, follow these tips:
- Check the bird seed level daily. Refill any time the bottle is less than half full.
- Funnel fresh bird seed in through the top opening. Pour slowly to prevent overflow.
- Only providing enough seed for 2-3 days at a time prevents spoilage.
- Rotate between bird seed types to attract different bird species.
- Clean the bottle interior periodically with mild soap and water to prevent mold.
- Use a flexible plastic bottle brush to scrub the inside if needed.
- Rinse all soap away before refilling with seed.
To discourage pests, avoid filling your feeder with more seed than necessary. Rotating seed types will attract a more diverse bird population to your backyard feeder. With proper routine filling and cleaning, your 2 litre bottle creation will provide enjoyment for years!
Seed Types to Use
Choosing the right bird seed is key to attracting different wild birds to your feeder. Here are some top seed varieties to try:
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
- Preferred by majority of common feeder birds
- High fat content ideal for birds
- Thin outer shells easily cracked open by birds
- Attracts: Sparrows, Juncos, Nuthatches, Titmouse, Cardinals, etc.
Safflower Seeds
- Small white conical seeds with tough shells
- Not appealing to squirrels or certain birds
- Attracts: Cardinals, Chickadees, Finches, Nuthatches
Nyjer Seed
- Tiny, oil-rich black seeds perfect for smaller birds
- Finches and siskins favorite due to small size
- Mesh feeders or socks recommended to prevent seed from falling
- Attracts: Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches
Peanuts
- Buy raw, unsalted peanuts in shell or shelled pieces
- Chickadees, jays, woodpeckers, and titmice will eagerly feed
- Can be more prone to spoiling than seeds
- Attracts: Chickadees, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches
Experiment to see which seed types attract birds to your particular area. Buy small amounts to start and switch it up by season. Having multiple feeders with different seeds can also allow you to cater to a wider range of species.
Common Birds Your Feeder Will Attract
One of the joys of birdfeeding is seeing the variety of feathered visitors your feeder will lure. Some birds you may spot at your 2 litre bottle feeder include:
Mourning Doves
- Color: Light grey with black spots on wings
- Size: 9 to 13 inches
- Foods: Black oil sunflower and safflower seeds, cracked corn
Chickadees
- Color: Black cap and throat, white cheeks, grey back
- Size: 5 to 6 inches
- Foods: Black oil sunflowers, peanuts, suet
Blue Jays
- Color: Blue, white, and black with crest on head
- Size: 9 to 12 inches
- Foods: Peanuts, sunflower chips, safflower, suet
Northern Cardinals
- Color: Red males and brown females
- Size: 8 to 9 inches
- Foods: Sunflower, safflower, millet, peanut chunks
American Goldfinches
- Color: Yellow body with black forehead and wings
- Size: 4 to 6 inches
- Foods: Nyjer seed, fine sunflower chips
Identifying visiting birds adds to the pleasure. Invest in a bird guide or download an app to help put names to the birds at your backyard feeder. With an ideal location, quality seeds, and a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with a diverse flock of feathered friends!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite best efforts, you may encounter a few problems with your 2 litre bottle bird feeder. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Seeds get wet and rot
- Solution: Add drainage holes near the bottle bottom and keep more sheltered under eaves.
Ants and insects invade the feeder
- Solution: Coat the hanging wire or pole with petroleum jelly or insecticidal soap to block access.
Squirrels steal all the seed
- Solution: Use a squirrel guard over feeder opening or switch to safflower seeds.
Seed clogs, won’t dispense
- Solution: Try a bigger seed window, wider bottleneck, or smaller seeds.
Birds don’t come
- Solution: Be patient, reposition feeder, use different seed types, or add multiple feeders.
Don’t get discouraged by troubleshooting! It takes some adjusting to get your homemade feeder working perfectly to attract birds. The birds will thank you for your effort with stunning beauty and nature up-close.
Conclusion
Crafting your own bird feeder from a 2 litre plastic bottle is simple, fun, and rewarding. With just a few basic materials and tools, you can create a fully functional feeder that brings beautiful backyard birds up-close for viewing and enjoyment. Position your feeder properly, keep it filled with quality seeds, and enjoy observing your feathered visitors. Making your own bird feeder connects you with nature, recycles household waste, and provides endless entertainment just outside your window.