Forget buying expensive, decorative sugar-water feeders. Now you can make your own homemade hummingbird feeder for just a few bucks using a recycled bottle and copper accents, one that is a decorative addition to any backyard. You’ll be amazed at how fun and easy it is to make this one-of-a-kind craft idea. You’ll be attracting hummingbirds to this feeder before you know it!
Materials:
5 feet of 4-gauge untreated copper wire- 3 to 5 feet of 12-gauge untreated copper wire
- Beads or other decorations
- D ring or carabiner
- Screw eye
- File
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire cutter
- Hummingbird feeding tube - Find these at bird supply stores and online. If you can't find a local supplier, try doing a web search for "hummingbird feeding tubes" to find a source.
- Glass Bottle (Note: Glass bottles larger than 375 ml are heavy and more prone to leakage. Thus, they are not recommended for this project. Above all, the bottle must provide a tight fit for the stopper portion of the feeding tube you buy. Anything less than an airtight fit will allow the nectar to drip from the feeding tube. Many soda and water bottles are a good fit for a commercial tube feeder assembly. Be sure to test the seal before you complete your design and add sugar water.)
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
File the ends of the copper wires so there are no sharp edges.
Take the 4-gauge wire and bend it at one of the ends to form a small circle. This should fit loosely over the opening of the bottle.
Insert the bottle in the circle, and make one more loop around the neck to hold it securely.
Step 2
With the neck of the bottle securely in the two loops, wind the rest of the wire around the bottle. This is where you have a little freedom to create your own design. The wire should be loose enough to easily remove the bottle for refilling the sugar water, but tight enough to hold the feeder securely.
Bend the last 18 inches or so of wire upward to make a hanging hook and then fashion a loop at the very end to secure it, as shown.
Step 3
Next, decorate your feeder using the 12-gauge copper wire. Use needle-nose pliers and wire cutters to shape the wire as needed. Here's a design tip: To create the look of curling vines, wrap the wire around a pencil first and then attach it in pieces.
Use colorful beads or other adornments to complete your design. Remember, hummingbirds love red, so it's a great accent color.
Step 4
Remove the bottle and fill it with sugar water. Then take your store-bought feeding tube and gently twist the stopper into place at the opening of the bottle. It should fit snugly to avoid leaking.
After you fill it with sugar water, place the bottle back into the copper holder. You might have to shake the bottle a little to dislodge any air bubbles. If it leaks, remove the feeding tube and try repositioning the stopper to get a more snug fit.
Ready to put your feeder to work? Make sure it hangs securely by hooking the feeder onto a snap ring or carabiner. Then put the ring through a screw eye and hang the entire feeder in the desired location.
Sharon says
Informative …. but you could have made a prettier one! I did – a prettier bottle, a better angle of the bottle, thinner copper wire that I twisted, some red glass beads glued in the well on the bottom to throw a bit of red light to attract the birds …..
Moe Moe says
I want to see it Sharon! Has it survived 2 years of use?
Donald Jones says
Last year I sent for the stoppers to make the glass bottle feeders and the stoppers leaked and would not hold the water. You are running the same article this year but I am afraid to order again for fear they will leak again Don
Mel toz says
I bought 20 stoppers and they leak. I’m so upset after I was so excited to make these.
Moe Moe says
I read that if the bottle/feeder gets lower than 1/3 full, it will drip/leak. Have to keep it over 1/2 full…anyone find any truth to that?
sue strickland says
how does the bird get the sugar water
Denise Thompson says
The hummingbird gets the sugar water through the feeding tube attached to the stopper.
veteran7227 says
I found that hanging a hummingbird feeder only attracts ants. I use a test tube feeder with a suction cup on my living room window. Much cheaper, no ants or bees, and it is in the shade. I also planted Honeysuckle and hung Fushca baskets. The materials for your suggested feeder would have cost me more than $35. The test tube feeders, honeysuckle, and 2 hanging baskets cost less than that.
Moe Moe says
veteran7227: I KNOW! That’s always the way it is when doing crafts or making something artistic…ends up costing me a fortune!
Amy says
wow, I can’t believe all the derogatory comments, I want to thank you for the idea, got all my stuff, and i have been picking up old bottles from thrift stores and yard sales, if they leak ill figure out how to stop them, They are just beautiful, Thanks again for the idea. I have alot of spring birthdays, so guess what they are getting. Just beautiful and great idea.
Tammie says
Oh my goodness, the negativity! You can certainly express your opinion, but how about in nicer terms? This is a lovely idea, and something that can be modified to cover the full range of what individuals consider “pretty”. I wonder if a little plumbers tape would help with the leaking? Thanks so much for sharing…ignore the negativity and keep on creating : )