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Feeding Station For Birds
by Ann DeLong
Make this Feeding Station for Birds out of recycled
plastic pop bottles. And don't miss the simple pine
cone feeder for the little ones to make.
You will need:
One litre plastic beverage bottle
bird seed
pencil
paper
string
 If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!
On each side of the bottom plastic section of a one litre plastic beverage
bottle, cut a tab about one inch wide with scissors. Bend down the tabs,
and with a paper punch, make a hole in the center of each one. Push a pencil
through the holes for a perch.
Make the feeding holes by pressing a crease along each side of the bottle
directly above the two ends of the pencil perch. Holding the crease in place,
punch a hole on the crease about 2 or 3 inches above the perch.
Roll a piece of paper into a cone shape, place it in the top of the bottle
to use as a funnel. Fill the bottle with seeds and close tightly with the
cap.
Tie string around the lip of the bottle just below the cap. Knot it several
times. Tie the feeder to a branch on a tree.
An even simpler alternative, especially for smaller children, is the Pine
Cone Bird Feeder. Children of all ages can help make this feeder. Preschoolers
learn to spread with a knife and to tie the ribbon on to the pine cone.
Birds and squirrels of all ages also like this craft.
You will need:
pine cone
ribbon or strong string
wax paper
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 cup bird seed
large bowl
wooden spoon
Tie the ribbon or string near the top of the pine cone so it can be hung.
Lay the pine cone on wax paper. Measure the peanut butter and bread crumbs
into the bowl. Mix with wooden spoon until smooth. Spread this mixture on
the pine cone. Roll the pine cone in bird seed. Press more seed between the
scales of the pine cone. Hang the Pine Cone Bird Feeder outside where you
can see it from a window.
Important Editor's Note: For many years FamilyCorner.com has offered crafts and activities for children, some of them involving wildlife. In some of our crafts we suggest that you use peanut butter and bird seed to feed backyard birds. We are very aware of the myths that have made their travels around the internet, so we checked in with several bird experts to find out the real truth and debunk the myths once and for all.
Some of these myths include birds choking on wads of peanut butter, salt and sweeteners in peanut butter being harmful, as well as birds becoming dependent on home bird feeders as their food source. Peanut butter is safe for birds and we encourage you to read this article.
More You Might Like:
Family Bird Watching Tips
Common Myths About Birds, Feeders, and Peanut Butter
Easy Bird Treats
About the Author:
Ann DeLong was a day care provider
for thirteen years so she could stay home with her daughters. She found that
she loved doing day care as a profession as well.
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