DIY Birdhouses and Feeders to Attract Wildlife: Create a Backyard Haven for Birds
DIY Birdhouses and Feeders to Attract Wildlife: Create a Backyard Haven for Birds
Creating a welcoming space for wildlife in your own backyard is not only rewarding but also beneficial for local ecosystems. By crafting your own DIY birdhouses and feeders, you can attract a variety of beautiful birds while adding charm to your outdoor space. Whether you're a homesteader, nature enthusiast, or just looking for a fun family project, building birdhouses and feeders is an engaging way to connect with the environment.
In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with DIY birdhouses and feeders—including the best materials, design tips, and placement strategies to attract birds and other beneficial wildlife to your homestead or garden.
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Why Attract Wildlife to Your Backyard?
Creating a wildlife-friendly yard offers a number of advantages:
Pollination: Many birds, especially hummingbirds, help pollinate flowers.
Pest control: Birds like chickadees and wrens eat bugs that would otherwise damage your garden.
Education: Birdwatching is a fun way to teach kids about nature and responsibility.
Conservation: Supporting native bird species helps preserve local ecosystems.
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Choosing the Right Birdhouse for Local Species
Not all birdhouses are created equal. Different bird species have different nesting needs. By tailoring your birdhouse design to your local wildlife, you'll have a better chance of encouraging them to stay.
Common Backyard Birds and Their Preferences:
Bluebirds: Prefer open fields and houses with a 1.5" hole, mounted on a post 4–6 feet high.
Wrens: Like hanging or mounted houses with a small entrance hole (~1").
Chickadees: Prefer wooded areas with houses placed 5–15 feet off the ground.
Woodpeckers: Need deeper cavities with rough interiors for grip.
Robins: Don’t use enclosed birdhouses but love nesting shelves or open-front boxes.
Do some research about the birds in your area to customize the entrance hole size, depth, and placement.
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Materials for DIY Birdhouses
For longevity and safety, avoid treated wood and opt for natural, non-toxic materials.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Cedar or pine wood: Naturally resistant to rot
Galvanized nails or screws: Prevent rusting
Wood glue (non-toxic)
Drill and saw
Sandpaper
Exterior water-based paint or stain (optional)
Mesh or small holes for ventilation and drainage
Pro Tip: Never use metal for roofing in sunny areas—it can overheat and harm the birds.
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Step-by-Step: Building a Basic DIY Birdhouse
Here’s a beginner-friendly birdhouse plan that works for wrens or chickadees:
Materials:
One 1” x 6” x 6’ cedar board
Nails or weatherproof screws
Wood glue
Hinges (optional for cleanout)
Drill with a 1” hole saw bit
Directions:
1. Cut the wood:
Front and back panels: 6” x 8”
Sides: 5” x 8”
Floor: 4” x 4”
Roof: Two 6” x 7” pieces
2. Drill entrance hole:
Drill a 1” hole centered 2” from the top of the front panel.
3. Ventilation and drainage:
Drill two small holes on each side panel near the top, and four small holes in the floor for drainage.
4. Assemble:
Attach the sides to the floor, then add the back and front. Secure the roof last.
5. Finishing touches:
Sand all sharp edges. Add hinges to the back or top if you want it to open for cleaning.
6. Mounting:
Use a pole, tree trunk, or fence post. Avoid placing it too close to feeders or high-traffic human areas.
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Creating DIY Bird Feeders from Household Items
Feeding birds is just as rewarding as housing them, and you can make bird feeders from items you probably already have.
1. Mason Jar Bird Feeder
You’ll Need:
Mason jar
Twine or wire
Chick feed tray or shallow dish
Super glue or epoxy
Instructions: Glue the feed tray to the jar's mouth. Fill the jar with seeds, invert it, and hang it using the twine or wire. The seeds will fall into the tray as birds feed.
2. Orange Peel Feeder
This biodegradable feeder is perfect for fruit-loving birds like orioles.
Instructions: Cut an orange in half, eat the inside, and poke three holes in the edges. Use twine to hang it and fill it with seeds or jelly.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Feeder
You’ll Need:
Empty toilet paper rol
Peanut butter
Birdseed
Instructions: Spread peanut butter over the roll, roll it in birdseed, and slide it onto a tree branch.
4. Teacup Feeder
You’ll Need:
Old teacup and saucer
Super glue
String or chain
Instructions: Glue the cup to the saucer at a tilt so birds can perch. Hang it from a sturdy tree limb.
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What to Feed Backyard Birds
Birds have varying diets depending on the season and species.
Here's a basic guide:
Food Type- Birds That Love It
Black oil sunflower seeds- Cardinals, finches, sparrows
Suet cakes- Woodpeckers, chickadees, wrens
Millet- Doves, juncos, towhees
Mealworms- Bluebirds, robins, thrushes
Jelly or fruit- Orioles, tanagers, catbirds
Cracked corn- Jays, doves, quail
Avoid: Bread, chocolate, and salty or moldy foods, as these can harm birds.
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Placement Tips to Attract Wildlife
Where you place your birdhouses and feeders is just as important as the materials used.
Shelter from elements: Place houses and feeders where they’re shielded from strong wind and rain.
Avoid predators: Install baffles on poles to prevent raccoons and snakes from reaching the nest.
Proper height: Check species preferences; most songbirds prefer 4–10 feet off the ground.
Keep it quiet: Birds avoid noisy areas. Place houses and feeders away from busy parts of the yard.
Keep feeders clean: Dirty feeders can spread disease. Clean them at least once every two weeks.
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DIY Water Features for Birds
Don’t forget water! Birds need it for both drinking and bathing. You can create a bird-friendly water source with:
Shallow dish: Fill a clay saucer with water and place a few pebbles for perching.
Hanging water bottle: Upside-down water bottles with small spouts can slowly drip into a bowl.
Mini fountain: A solar-powered water fountain adds movement, which attracts more birds.
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Making It Kid-Friendly
Involve your children in the DIY process to help them connect with nature. Easy tasks for them include:
Painting birdhouses
Filling feeders
Observing and documenting bird visitors
Making recycled feeders
Use this time to teach them about ecosystems, bird identification, and the importance of stewardship.
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Seasonal Considerations
Spring:
Clean and rehang old birdhouses.
Refill feeders with high-energy seeds.
Begin water features to attract nesting birds.
Summer:
Shade feeders and houses to prevent overheating.
Provide fresh water daily.
Fall:
Add suet for migrating birds.
Leave some seed heads in the garden as a natural food source.
Winter:
Keep feeders stocked.
Offer high-fat foods like suet and peanut butter.
Ensure birdhouses are cleaned and ready for shelter.
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The Bigger Picture: Supporting Pollinators and Other Wildlife
Adding birdhouses and feeders is just one piece of the puzzle. To fully attract and support wildlife:
Plant native trees and shrubs
Create brush piles for shelter
Avoid pesticides and herbicides
Leave dead trees when safe (many birds nest in them)
Grow pollinator-friendly flowers
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Final Thoughts
Creating DIY birdhouses and feeders to attract wildlife is a meaningful step toward building a more sustainable and connected life. Not only do you get the joy of watching colorful birds visit your yard, but you also contribute to local conservation efforts. Whether you’re doing it for beauty, biodiversity, or bonding with your kids, this simple act of DIY builds a bridge between you and the natural world.
So gather your tools, get the kids, and start creating a backyard haven that birds and other wildlife will love to call home.
Download free birdhouse plans here.