The secret to attracting orioles? Oranges! These two kinds of DIY oriole feeders are easy to make, and orioles will flock to them.
TMB Studio
Homemade Oriole Feeder
No need to break the budget when it comes to attracting orioles! This simple DIY oriole feeder was inspired by one designed by Daniel Medbury of Plymouth, Michigan. We’ve simplified it a bit so anyone can build it—even a child with some adult supervision. You may even have enough scrap lumber lying around to make one or two without spending a dime.
Materials:
One scrap 2 x 4, at least 13 inches long
One 1-inch x 8-inch board, about 12 inches long
One 1/4-inch dowel, at least 18 inches long
Four 2-1/2-inch galvanized finishing nails
Four common nails
Waterproof carpenter’s glue
One screw eye for hanging the feeder
Table saw
Power drill
Combination square
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Cut a 2 x 4 board at least 13 inches long. Cut two 45° angles to form a centered peak on one end (this will become the top). Use a combination square or tri-square to help draw the cutting angles.
“Dog-ear” the corners at the bottom end by sawing about 3/4 inch off each corner at a 45° angle.
Drill two 1/4-inch holes. Center one hole 1-1/4 inches from bottom of the board and the other 6-1/2 inches from bottom. Make sure you drill the holes perpendicular to the 2 x 4. This will ensure that your perches will be straight.
Step 2
Cut two roof pieces from the 1-inch x 8-inch board. One section should measure approximately 6 inches x 7-1/4 inches and the other 5-1/4 inches x 7-1/4 inches. If you’d like, dog-ear the outside corners of the roof pieces by cutting off about 1 inch from each corner at a 45° angle.
Nail the roof pieces to the 2 x 4 peak with two common nails. The longer piece overlaps the shorter.
Step 3
The oranges are held onto the feeder by spearing them onto 2-1/2-inch finishing nails. Center these nails on each side of the 2 x 4 about 3 inches above each perch hole. Drive the nails about 1 inch into the 2 x 4 at a downward angle so the oranges won’t slide off.
Step 4
Cut the 18-inch dowel in half for perches. Insert the dowels into the holes and center them. A little waterproof carpenter’s glue in the holes will hold the perches firmly in place.
Step 5
File or cut a flat spot in the center of the roof peak for a screw eye, which is used to hang the feeder. Drill a pilot hole first to prevent the wood from splitting.
A coat of deck stain is optional, but it’ll help protect the wood from weather. Be sure the stain is dry before using the feeder.
Orioles love fresh oranges and the color orange, making these wreaths perfect for feeding orioles. Hang one of these DIY orange wreath oriole feeders on or near a sturdy branch so an oriole has a perch from which to peck!
Materials:
Coat hanger with a cardboard tube
Needle-nose pliers (or strong hands)
Wire cutters
Oranges
Cutting board
Good slicing kitchen knife
Ribbon and berries (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
TMB Studio
Remove the cardboard tube from your hanger and bend the two sides of the hanger toward each other until they are spaced about 1 inch apart.
Shape the outline of a bird, as shown. I found that using my hands was the easiest way to start. Then I used needle-nose pliers to shape and smooth any rough curves. Use pliers or a wire cutter to snip the curled ends off the hanger.
Step 2
Cut oranges into about ¼-inch slices. Cut little pieces of rind from the orange ends into roughly ½-inch triangles. These will serve as spacers between the slices and will help keep everything in place. Thread an orange slice through both wires. Then thread a piece of rind next to it on one or both wires. Repeat until you run out of wire.
Tie a little bow and add some berries at the end if you wish. Hang from a tree close to a window so you can watch the feeding orioles!
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