skip to main content

easiest bird feeder ever!

16 years ago

Here's my new bird feeder. I found this glass dish and a bud vase, 50 cents each, at the thrift store last week. I had the closet dowel and the bud vase fit right over it perfectly (someone else here suggested the bud vase idea for tea cup feeders, I think). I just siliconed them together and I have a pretty little bird feeder! I'm thinking I might paint the dowel or even mosaic it with little bits of glass (there's a little wiggle room under the vase) but it was already black.

{{gwi:142765}}

And when it rains...

{{gwi:142766}}

I just keep the lid under my grill. I realize I won't always get it on there before it rains but the feeder is super easy to clean out because it just sits over the dowel and can be taken off any time for cleaning.

And remember the eggs in my propane tank? Someone said they were house sparrows, thanks for identifying them. I don't care what they are, I just love all the birds. They've hatched and they're already getting feathers. Yesterday I went to check on them (without my camera, of course) and they all opened their mouths at me. Today, not so lucky. Like the robin babies on another thread, they must have been fed recently. Here they are, not super easy to see but you can see the outlines of their little beaks fairly well. I have to lift the lid of the propane tank to get these pictures and the angle doesn't make it easy to get good pictures...

{{gwi:142767}}

Have a great weekend everyone!

Robin

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

halley_rose
16 years ago
Your candy dish is cute. Love your birdie picture. Silly birds they build nests in the craziest places. Last year killdeers built a nest amongest our hostas. Our grandkids, 3 and 5 loved watching the eggs go from eggs to babies, to grown up birds, very educational for them and grandma.
cindee11461
16 years ago
love your birdie feeder(-: Great idea for that. And of course I love the baby birds too!!!!
Related Discussions
Birds & Bird Feeders Vs Trees
Q
Comments (19)
You can always try hanging the feeders independent of the trees. A post set into the ground with hooks for the feeders or the shepherd's crooks they sell specifically for this purpose would prevent any damage hanging feeding appliances directly to a tree might incur. As to the pros and cons of feeding birds.......I agree with Dan on this one. Expanding development has restricted/removed many of the natural habitats and food sources and encouraging birds to the garden is overall a very good thing - they are the best natural insect control available! Plus, they are infinitely entertaining. Planting to encourage habitat and to supplement food sources is desirable, but nothing wrong with feeders either. They can bring the birds up close and personal :-)) If you want songbirds, try a "no-waste" mix. Even if it gets scattered on the ground, it gets eaten too fast to hang around to attract rodents. And sapsucker damage to trees is generally more cosmetic than particularly harmful. Since they have a 'preferred' tree menu, you can always avoid attracting them by not planting the trees they like. And as they tend to limit their diet to insects and tree sap, with supplementation from fruits and berries - the seed feeders are unlikely to create additional problems.
...See More
In pictures humming bird feeders use red solution ...
Q
Comments (14)
The red dye really is harmful to hummers. We have a natural spring plumbed into the house for our water source. I bring the spring water to a boil, then add pure cane sugar at a 1:1 ratio. This ratio allows the female hummers more time and energy with nest building and hunting for insects to feed their young. At a 1:1 ratio, they only have to fill up on sugar water about 5 times an hour. At a 4:1 ratio, they will have to fill up about 14 times an hour, giving them less time for finding insects for protein.
...See More
somewhat ot: mice and bird feeders
Q
Comments (4)
Well, I've allowed my feeders to go a bit empty, and I bought a havahart trap. It's baited with sunflower seed and peanuts, but I feel guilty about letting the critters freeze in the cage so I am leaving it ready to go only when I am home or will be home within a little while -- not overnight. I am such a wuss. And I forgot to set it this morning. My feeder pole is frozen to the ground, and so is the baffle that fell under the weight of the squirrels. Essentially, I can't add anything to the pole unless it can go around the pole, not slide up it from the bottom, etc. Turns out there is not only Mickey (who was living in my juniper but may have migrated to somewhere by the house with the latest snow)but also Minnie, who actually crosses from my neighbor in the back's yard, under my fence, and all the way down the length of the yard. There are fresh prints in the snow, and it's not the first time I've seen a set come from there. I'm still not sure what to do with a mouse if I do catch it and it's alive when I find it. Maybe a nice trip to the woods, let him learn survival skills?
...See More
How cute is this? Bird feeder.....
Q
Comments (7)
What a nice neighbor you are..we should all try being as kind everyday as you are!! I love the website you provided, although I do not have a heart, I have a big doxie dog, cat, santa and bell. Any of these would be great as they are bigger than normal cookie cutters and I am sure the birds would not mind "eating the cat". LOL!!!
...See More
Crafty Gardener
16 years ago
I use bud vases for my teacup feeders, they work much better than the copper fittings. Your feeder idea is great.
garianntx
16 years ago
I love it! Great idea to have that lid for the dish!

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR The Easiest, Most Versatile Cake Stand You'll Ever Make

By Rikki Snyder

Show off sweet somethings and your own impressive handiwork — just don't let on how little effort it took

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: For the Birds

Modern and clever bird feeders created with design in mind

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Marvel at Chickadees This Winter

By Habitat Network

These North American natives flock to bird feeders and entertain with their complex birdcalls

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Healthy Home Habitats for Northern Flickers

By Habitat Network

These colorful woodpeckers found across the U.S. and Canada love berries, seeds and ants and often nest in deep burrows in trees

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Orioles Return After Spending Winter in the Tropics

By Habitat Network

These colorful songbirds prefer woodlands and forest edges, but they’ll visit yards with fruit-producing trees and shrubs

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Those Nutty Nuthatches

By Habitat Network

The North American songbirds, which often perch upside down, make themselves known in the winter landscape

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Meet Some Clever and Curious Jays

By Habitat Network

Boisterous jays provide plenty of backyard bird-watching in winter. Here’s how to identify all the varieties and welcome them into your yard

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Bring on the Birds: Natural Habitat Ideas for Gardens of All Sizes

Provide nesting, watering and perching spots inspired by the Costa Rican jungle and watch the birds flock on over

GARDENING GUIDES 13 North American Backyard Birds to Know

By Annie Thornton

Find out about these enchanting native species and learn how to attract them to your yard

Sponsored

More Discussions

Any ideas for repurposing Water Softener Systems?

4