This list may get long the following is for bird feeders of all types.


Materials: Pine cones, peanut butter, birdseed, string, plastic disposable-type bowls, hole puncher, bird pudding*, spoons.


Procedure: Have the children make pine cone feeders by smooshing peanut butter with spoons onto the pine cones. Then roll the cone in birdseed, tie a string to the top end, and it is ready to hang outside. To make a bowl feeder, punch three holes evenly spaced around the top edge of the plastic bowl, fill the bowl with bird pudding*, and tie strings through the holes for hanging. You can also use grapefruit and orange half shells hollowed out for these

Three-, four-, and five-year olds enjoy making these winter treats for the birds, with some assistance from adults. Use your imagination for other easy ones suitable for young children. For instance, try using empty grapefruit or orange halves instead of bowls.


Recycle an old Christmas tree for bird use by standing it in the backyard. Hang simple feeders from its branches. Attach other items, such as stale doughnuts or sprigs from local shrubs and plants with berries or seed heads. String popcorn and cranberries together and drape the strings around the tree for an aesthetic effect and for edibility by the birds. Soften some bird pudding and smear it onto the branches. Add your own innovations, and your tree may become the gourmet bird restaurant of the area!


Bird Pudding

Materials: One pound lard (or leftover cooking fat), one cup hot water, two cups oatmeal, one cup flour, four cups wild birdseed, large pan, mixing spoons.


Procedure: Soften the lard or fat over warm heat in the large pan. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bird pudding can be slathered into any kind of container-type feeder. This is a messy, globby activity that delights most young children.


***********************************************************************************************

This next site I found has lots of good ideas as well as pictures so I am just going to post the link, be sure and check out the one made from the plastic 2 liter bottle.


http://www.northern.edu/natsource/DAKOTA1/Birdfe1.htm


*******************************************************************************************************


BIRDS ATTRACTED BY VARIOUS FEEDERS AND FOODS


TUBE FEEDER WITH BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER


goldfinches chickadees

woodpeckers nuthatches

titmice redpolls, pine siskins


ADDING A TRAY TO THE TUBE FEEDER WILL ALSO ATTRACT


cardinals jays

crossbills purple finches

white-throated sparrow house finches

white-crowned sparrows


TRAY OR PLATFORM FEEDER -- WITH MILLET


doves house sparrows

blackbirds juncos

cowbirds towhees

white-throated sparrows tree sparrows

white-crowned sparrows chipping sparrows


TRAY OR PLATFORM FEEDER -- WITH CORN


starlings house sparrows

grackles jays

juncos bobwhite quail

doves ring-necked pheasants

white-throated sparrows


PLATFORM FEEDER OR TUBE FEEDER AND TRAY -- with PEANUTS


cardinals chickadees

grackles house finches

titmice house sparrows

sparrows starlings

mourning doves white-throated sparrows

jays juncos


NIGER THISTLE FEEDER WITH TRAY


goldfinches house finches

purple finches redpolls

pine siskins doves

chickadees song sparrows

dark-eyed juncos white-throated sparrows


NECTAR FEEDER


hummingbirds orioles

cardinals tanagers

woodpeckers finches

thrushes


FRUIT


orioles tanagers

mockingbirds bluebirds

thrashers cardinals

woodpeckers jays

starlings thrushes

cedar waxwings yellow-breasted chats


HANGING SUET FEEDER


woodpeckers wrens

chickadees nuthatches

kinglets thrashers

creepers cardinals

starlings


PEANUT BUTTER SUET


woodpeckers goldfinches

juncos cardinals

thrushes jays

kinglets bluebirds

wrens starlings


HANGING PEANUT FEEDER

woodpeckers

chickadees

titmice


http://library.fws.gov/Bird_Publications/feed.html


********************************************************************************************


Making Bird Feeders


Fall is the best time to start a bird-feeding program that will last until spring. As the temperature begins to drop, the natural food supply dwindles, forcing birds to look for alternative sources to get them through the cold winter months. A feeder put out in the fall is sure to become a regular stop on birds’ winter feeding rounds. The foods birds love include black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, cracked corn, peanut butter, thistle, fruit, and shelled sunflower seeds.


How to Make a Gourd Shelter

Small birds, such as finches and pine siskins, will appreciate the protection from predators that this feeder offers. Dried gourds can be purchased from gourd farms.


Materials

9- to 15-inch bottle gourd, dried

Pencil

Paper

Craft saw

Drill and 3/8-inch bit

4 sturdy twigs

Waxed twine

Upholstery needle


Technique

1. Loosen dried gourd seeds by slapping the gourd with your palm. Draw the shape of a window opening on paper, and cut it out; trace it onto the gourd’s surface four times.


2. Use a craft saw to cut along tracings. Shake out gourd seeds. Drill a hole beneath each opening, and find twigs that will fit snugly inside them; insert twigs. Drill two holes, one on either side of the gourd’s neck. Thread twine through holes with an upholstery needle; loop over tree branch.


The first steps of the one above could be done by an adult and then let the children paint, glue beans, macaroni, or however you decide to decorate them. Be sure to coat them with Verathane to preserve the childrens work!

 

-----signature-----

Something actually eats the Millet? I thought it was just filler because it always ends up on the ground while they pick the better stuff to eat. LOL>

 

-----signature-----

Great post! I remember making things like this when I was little.