DIY Craft: Hummingbird Feeder

Even though we see the long bills of hummingbirds slip into flowers and feeders, the hummingbirds actually lick the nectar with their tongues. These fascinating birds are delightful to watch while they are feeding. Constructing a bird feeder using recycled items repainted in red is sure to bring the hummingbirds to your yard. Below is a creative tutorial on making your own hummingbird feeder and an easy recipe to blend a sugar water mixture to fill the feeder.

Materials

1 liter soda bottle
Wire coat hanger
Glue Gun
Glue sticks (for glue gun)
2-3 small wooden flower appliques
Red acrylic paint
Paint brush
Small nail
Hammer
Newspaper

Directions

Step One - Rinse out the soda bottle in preparation of reconstructing it into a hummingbird feeder. Turn the bottle upside down without the cap and allow it to air dry.

Step Two - While you are waiting on the soda bottle to dry, begin to paint the wooden flower appliques. Lay out the newspaper and pour some of the red paint onto a small area. Painting both sides of the wooden flowers is optional, only one red side is necessary. Allow the flowers to dry and paint a second count to ensure the red color will be bold and bright. Paint the cap of the soda bottle as well.

Step Three - In the center of the soda bottle, make a small hole by hammering the nail into the bottle. Remove the nail after the hole has been made.

Step Four - Using the glue gun, adhere the wooden flowers on each side of the hole in the soda bottle.

Step Five - Fill the bottle with a sugar water mixture and tighten the cap on the soda bottle.

Step Six - Stretch out the wire hanger and begin to wrap onside of the hanger around the neck of the bottle. Twist the other end of the wire hanger into a large hook, so it can hang on a tree branch.

How To: Sugar Water Mixture

Materials

¼ cup sugar
¼ cup water, plus ¾ cup cold water
Pot
Spoon

Directions

Step One - Combine the sugar and ¼ cup of water into a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil while continuously stirring.

Step Two - Remove pot from the stove and stir in ¾ cup of cold water. Completely cool before adding to a feeder.