BL Workshop

Make a bird feeder!

By Tom Anderson
Illustrations by David Strand
From the January 2001 Boys' Life magazine

If I were to choose one feeder to watch out my window. It would be a platform feeder. This simple project makes an ample feeder for serving a flock of seed eaters. (And it makes a great gift.)

YOU’LL NEED:

• Adult permission and/or help
• One 30-inch 1-inch-by-12-inch board (You can also cut a similar-size piece from a ¾ -inch-thick piece of plywood; treated wood weathers better.)
• 7 feet of 1-inch-by-1-inch pine (Or use 1-inch pine quarter round trim, or cut 1-inch by 1-inch strips from the 3/4 –inch-thick plywood).
• 10 galvanized 6-penny box or finishing nails
• One 1-inch pipe flange with four ¾-inch screws
• One 6 to 8 foot length of 1-inch galvanized pipe with one end threaded. (You can also screw the feeder onto a deck railing or hang it from eyehooks.)

Note: A roof is not necessary, but one can be added to keep the seed drier.

STEP 1: Cut platform base.

STEP 2: Measure and cut trim pieces so that they fit around the edge of the top of the platform. This will serve to contain the seed.

STEP 3: Nail or screw the trim pieces to the platform.

STEP 4: Fasten the pipe flange in the center of the bottom side of the platform with ¾-inch screws. (Or fasten screw eyes to each end of the platform.)

STEP 5 : Screw pipe into the pipe flange and erect your feeder in your yard within viewing distance of your window.

Place the feeder in your best viewing position — but also consider nearby shrubs and trees for shelter and protection for the feeding birds. In open areas, place your feeder on the side of the house that is most protected from winter winds.

Each bird species has its special habits and needs. The best high-energy foods include sunflower seeds, peanut kernel, white proso millet and suet (beef fat).

Lastly, because birds will come to depend on your feeder, it is important that you keep it full of food. Neglect it, and birds could suffer.

Read 9 comments about “Make a bird feeder!”

1. 1 - Nathaniel says:
   May 17th, 2007 at 4:08 pm

   This is a neat idea! ☺

2. 2 - Drewster says:
   May 23rd, 2007 at 8:46 am

   You could also put a small plastic bowl full of water on your feeder, so the birds could drink and bathe in it.

3. 3 - flamingo says:
   May 25th, 2007 at 10:19 am

   It would be cool if you could make a bird house out of this!

4. 4 - codyrules says:
   May 26th, 2007 at 5:24 pm

   this is a boring thing, i could build a house with 3 rooms in a day!!!!!!

5. 5 - Alys says:
   May 28th, 2007 at 3:58 pm

   this is really good but maybe next time make it less confusing

6. 6 - M427ASQ says:
   June 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pm

   very usefull for merit badges, but the diagram are too detailed

7. 7 - Derrick, Age 10, Florida says:
   July 26th, 2007 at 1:58 pm

   This is very easy and I have done it a couple times, I don’t even need adult help.
   However, like other people said, the diagrams are confusing. I just don’t look at them and follow the directions, but now that I’m used to making bird houses, it’s not really hard. I would just go ahead and try it if this is your first time doing a birdhouse. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find that it’s really fun and doesn’t take that long!

8. 8 - sm speed 297 says:
   August 2nd, 2007 at 8:24 am

   I Can’t Wait To Build It. I Have A Bird House, I’m Going To Put It Thare.

   Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

9. 9 - hjks says:
   September 10th, 2007 at 6:43 pm

   Show the final picture for the feeder.

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