One of the things that could bring a lot of joy from your yard over the next couple of months is enjoying the birds. They bring life and color in an otherwise cold sometimes stark reality. The real trick is to attract those birds and feeders are the way to do it. If you are looking for a fun project over the holidays and one that will enhance your outdoor space here are some different feeders that will do just that…

The Ferris Wheel Feeder
We never know just what will happen when we fill the trays on our whirligig feeding station. In fact, after two years use by the birds that seem to like riding while they eat, we are not yet sure who gets the most fun out of it, the birds or us. This feeding station is easy to make as seen by the sketch below.
If the trays are empty, the birds are quick to inform us. The friendly cardinal perches in the orange tree or the big oak near by and calls for his sunflower special. He knows he has to ask for it. When I tell him to come and get it before all the blue jays in the neighborhood get there, he calls Mrs. Cardinal and feeds her first; Their babies are introduced to the swinging trays as soon as they are able to leave the nest. The blue jays, fortunately, are a, bit afraid of the whirligig. They are impetuous and greedy and make the frame turn so fast it scares them.
The doves put on a prize show on it; they are not afraid of it. After exhausting the food supply on the ground under the feeder, the head of the flock investigated the tray’s supply. He reached up and touched it and the tray came down toward him. Soon he and the others were hopping up, literally overflowing the tray. Some fell off but others were- ready to hop on and take their places.

The Mailbox Feeder
None of the birds are afraid of our mailbox feeder, shown here. This is attractive and easy to make. We made a porch for ours by cutting one side and bending it down. Food stays dry on this feeder.
The mailbox feeder is popular, but the whirligig is still the most fun.

The Coconut Feeder
It is made from two halves of a coconut. Then the little trays shown are hung together and from branches by chains.

The Bamboo Feeder
This one made from a section of giant bamboo can be made either of a single or a double section of bamboo. A part can readily be cut out with a penknife to provide a place for the bird food. This feeding station can be placed on a shelf against the tree or hung from a branch on chains. While bamboo may be a little hard to find now, it could also be made to look similar by carving it from wood.

The Hanging Pan Feeder
This tray feeder is made by placing a round pan between two wire coat hangers placed at right angles to each other and bent to hold the pan conveniently in place.

They are all simple though the Ferris wheel would take the most work to make it is well worth the effort. It sure is entertaining to have a lot of birds flitting around your yard and one sure way of attracting them is to provide something for them to eat. Try your hand at one of these feeders and be entertained all winter.

1. Slavica Todorovic Says:
   December 17th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

   Hi
   I have just leaved a comment on Reed Floren blog post,so you can see it there.
   To repeat:i liked your article, looks like a Star falling from the Sky to enlighten our lives.Like a Fairy Tale.Thank you for a smile on my face.Doves are regular visitors on my terrace.I have written an abstract/Review on my favorite book: Green Mansions by W.H.Hudson,if you don’t know he was big lover of birds and nature.
   Here is a link if you wish to see it
   http://slavicavista.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/green-love/

   Regards

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   December 18th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

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   January 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm

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4. Dave Says:
   January 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 pm

   Tim

   Thanks for the comment. I always appreciate good comments and feedback.
   Yes you may copy the article as long as you give me a link back to my site.
   http://ideasforoutdoorliving.com
   or the link right to the article.
   http://ideasforoutdoorliving.com/2008/12/14/how-to-attract-birds-to-your-yard/

   Thanks for asking and don’t forget to come back again.

   Dave

5. mark Says:
   January 8th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

   I really like birds in my yard and I like the info in this article.
   Thanks for the ideas

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   May 4th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

   I love having birds in my yard. Thanks for the good ideas

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    August 31st, 2009 at 6:05 pm

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12. BemaGlulley Says:
    February 22nd, 2010 at 3:25 am

    very good it is always so enjoyable to have birds in my garden. They make it come alive but I don’t seem to have many. I will try your ideas.

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