How to Build a
Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

Making a soda bottle bird feeder is a great project you can do with your kids. It will only take about 20 minutes...and best of all it is nearly free!

This project is fun and easy, but is also a great way to get a child interested in bird watching. When your child helps you make a bird feeder, instead of purchasing one, they will be much more interested in the wild birds that are attracted to the feeder.

Bird watching gets kids outside and interested in the world of nature. There is a natural progression from noticing birds at a bird feeder to keeping a bird list or even a bird watching journal. Pick up a pair of birding binoculars and a field guide. Then challenge your children to identify the birds that are attracted to "their" bird feeder.

Here is what you will need to build a soda bottle bird feeder:

Materials: 1 - 2-liter soda bottle 2 - 5/16" x 8" dowels (you can use a tree branch if you like) 1 - 3' piece of thin solid wire Tools: Drill 1/16" drill bit 1/8" drill bit 5/16" drill bit Caulking Procedure: Remove the label from the soda bottle, then clean, rinse and dry. Drill a 1/16" hole (or a size just big enough for your wire to feed through) in the cap and the bottom of the bottle. With the cap off, feed the wire through the bottom then through the cap (from inside to outside). Replace the cap onto the bottle. Wrap and secure the wire around the neck of the bottle. Make a loop at the end of with least 4" of wire, in order to hang the bottle. Drill two 5/16" holes near the bottom of the soda bottle bird feeder (cap end) on opposite sides and drill two more holes 1/2" higher. Position the holes so that the perches cross in the center. Insert the perches. Drill or cut holes for the seed. For nyjer seed: cut small slots, 1/4" x 1/8", 1 1/2"above each perch.  For sunflower seed: drill 5/16" holes, 1 1/2" to 2" above each perch.

At first, only fill your new soda bottle bird feeder about half way. This will allow the seed inside to stay fresh until the birds find the new feeder.

Find a spot to hang your feeder that is low enough for your children to see. Then sit back enjoy the new visitors to your yard. Don't be discouraged if it takes a little time for the birds to locate your new offering. They will soon "flock" to it.

Building a soda bottle bird feeder can be a lot of fun. Click here for more birding projects you can do with your kids.

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