How to Build Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbirds are important pollinators, especially for backyard gardeners. While hummingbirds usually feed on nectar from plants, they will also take food from a hummingbird feeder. Why not make your own hummingbird feeder for just pennies, and invite these beautiful birds to your own backyard? You'll likely have the materials already in your own home, and in less than an hour, you can set up your own hummingbird buffet.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 liter plastic soda bottle (empty and clean) with cap
  • 1 small plastic cup that can hold 2 fluid ounces
  • Utility knife
  • Hot glue gun
  • Plastic or silk flowers (at least two)
  • 1 eye hook
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out the top of the soda bottle plastic cap, using a utility knife.

    • 2

      Fill the small plastic cup with water, leaving 1/4" of room at the top. The water is to help the glue "float" in the next step.

    • 3

      Hold the plastic bottle cap at the center of the plastic cup, so that half of it is above the top of the plastic cup.

    • 4

      Squirt generous amounts of glue around the cap, securing it to the plastic cup with large globs of glue. It should be at the center of the plastic cup, with half of the cap above the top of the plastic cup. Allow to dry until the glue is solid.

    • 5

      Pour the water out of the plastic cup and screw the soda bottle into its cap, which is now glued into the plastic cup.

    • 6

      Drill a hole into the bottom of the plastic soda bottle and insert the eyehook. Ensure that the hole is large enough for the eyehook, but not so large that air leaks through.

    • 7

      Glue a few plastic flowers around the rim of the plastic cup to attract hummingbirds.

    • 8

      Mix 1 part regular table sugar with 4 parts water, and heat until the sugar dissolves. Pour the cooled liquid into the bottle with a funnel.

    • 9

      Hang the hummingbird feeder from a tree using kitchen twine, electrical wire or whatever sturdy string you have handy.

    • 10

      Replace the hummingbird sugar water every five to seven days.