8 Spare Food Bits You Can Use To Make Easy Bird Feeders

Instead of tossing extra food scraps like pumpkin rinds or corn cobs into the compost, why not turn them into DIY feeders for your feathered friends? You can easily transform a bunch of kitchen leftovers, from apples to ice cream cones, into eco-friendly bird feeders. These natural contraptions will attract more birds to your yard without you having to spend money on store-bought products.

Just be mindful of anything that could be unsafe for the birds, like spicy or salty foods. And if you use materials like twine or wire to craft your feeders, make sure to remove them when the birds are done so you don’t litter. For the best results, stock up your new feeders in the morning instead of at night.

Leftover squash is super easy to turn into a natural bird feeder. Just halve it horizontally, scoop out the insides, and either hang it up with twine or leave it as-is. For an extra perch, you can add an X-shaped wooden dowel or stick on top. Fill it with birdseed and wait for the birds to start flocking!

Those bruised or overripe apples can become cute little bird feeders. Just core them out, thread some twine through, and stuff with sunflower seeds. Or slice them lengthwise, carve a bowl in the center, and fill with a peanut butter and seed mix for a fancier feeder.

Old Jack-o-lanterns are perfect for this! Just cut out a quarter of the pumpkin, scoop out the insides, fill it with birdseed, and hang it up with some twine. The lip of the hole makes a great little perch. And don’t forget to incorporate any leftover pumpkin seeds into the seed mix – the birds will love them!

Believe it or not, birds love a sweet treat just like us! Thread some twine through the pointy end of those leftover ice cream cones, coat them in peanut butter, and cover them in birdseed. Hang them up and watch the feathered friends go to town. Just keep in mind that this works best in colder weather, since the peanut butter can melt in the heat.

Next time you peel an orange, save that peel! You can turn it into a cute little bird feeder by scooping out the insides, threading some twine through four holes, and filling it with birdseed. For an extra touch, you can even add some wooden skewers to act as perches.

For the bird enthusiasts out there, try turning your leftover walnut shells into mini feeders. Just carefully pierce them, attach them to a wooden round with some twine, and fill each one with birdseed (you can use peanut butter to help it stick if needed). This is a great way to attract cool birds like blue jays, woodpeckers, and robins.

Don’t toss those spent corn cobs! Just push a piece of wire or twine through one end so you can hang it up, and you’re good to go. You can even drill some holes to add twig or skewer perches. Let the cob dry out for a few days, then slather it in peanut butter and birdseed.

Don’t let those forgotten berries go to waste! Slide them onto a thin wire or piece of grass to create a fun and colorful bird feeder. You can mix in some healthy stale cereal like Cheerios too. Shape the wire into cool designs to make your feeder stand out. Birds like warblers, cardinals, and swallows are sure to love this sweet treat.