Easy DIY Bird Feeder Plans (Using a Simple Bowl)

Free DIY bird feeder plans to build an easy wooden feeder that incorporates a simple bowl. Fill it with bird seed and watch your backyard come alive! You will likely attract common visitors like bluebirds, cardinals, goldfinches, chickadees, house finches, mourning doves, and blue jays. This fun project is perfect for all ages and brings nature closer to home. Find more bird feeder plans.

Materials and Equipment Needed to Build this Bird Feeder:

Wood: Cedar, redwood, cypress, and pine are good choices. 3/4″ (2 cm) thick.
Small bowl: Approximately 4″ (10 cm) to 5″ (13 cm) in diameter.
Screws: Approximately 1.5″ (4 cm) long.
Power drill.
Saw (table saw or miter saw).
Hole saw, scroll saw, or jig saw to drill the hole for the bowl.

Attract Birds with a Homemade Feeder

Making a simple DIY bird feeder is a breeze with just a bowl! Once crafted, simply fill the bowl with your feathered friends’ favorite seeds and hang it from a sturdy tree branch or hook. This straightforward design ensures birds can easily access their meal, and refills are a snap for you. All dimensions are conveniently labeled in both inches and centimeters. Explore a 3D model of the feeder along with complete dimensions below.

The image below displays all five pieces of wood you will need to cut for this project, laid out together for easy reference.

Step 1. Prepare the Roof of the Bird Feeder.

Cut two pieces of wood as shown below. Personally, I am using cedar wood.

Step 2. Prepare the Sides of the Bird Feeder.

Cut two pieces of wood as shown below.

Step 3. Find a Small Bowl.

Find or buy a small bowl which has a wide rim. Personally, I found a small plastic salsa bowl and used a power sander to remove the feet.

Step 4. Create a Hole in the Bird Feeder Base.

Create a hole in the base of the bird feeder using a scroll saw, jig saw, or a hole saw. The size of the hole will depend on your specific bowl. It should be just large enough to cradle the bowl’s rim without allowing the bowl to fall through completely.

Personally, I used a sanding drum to slightly increase the size of the hole created using the hole saw.

Step 5. Assemble Your Bird Feeder.

Now, use a combination of glue and screws to attach the sides, base, and roof together. A waterproof wood glue is recommended to help extend the life of the bird feeder. Drill pilot holes to help prevent the wood from splitting. Ideally the pilot holes should be at least as large as the screw’s minor diameter.

Personally, I recommend using stainless steel trim screws as shown below. The smaller screw head is less obvious and helps prevent the wood from splitting. If you pre-drill the holes, these screws will countersink themselves nicely because the head is not much larger than the pilot hole.

Step 6. Optionally Paint or Finish your Bird Feeder.

In our case, we applied a linseed oil. This finish helps accentuate the grain and helps make the wood more resistant to damage.

Step 7. Hang or Mount Your Bird Feeder.

Finding the ideal spot to hang or mount your new bird feeder is crucial for attracting a variety of feathered friends and ensuring their safety. Aim for a location that offers birds a clear line of sight to their surroundings, allowing them to spot potential predators like cats or hawks. Placing the feeder within 10-15 feet of dense shrubs or trees provides quick escape routes and shelter from the elements.

When considering height, a general recommendation for many common backyard birds is about 5-6 feet off the ground, which is also convenient for refilling and cleaning. However, certain birds, like woodpeckers, might prefer higher feeders (6-10 feet), while ground-feeding birds may be drawn to lower platforms. Avoid placing feeders directly under large tree branches if squirrels are an issue, as this provides them easy access. Similarly, keep feeders either very close (within 3 feet) or far away (over 10-15 feet) from windows to prevent bird collisions. Ultimately, the best spot will be one that balances bird safety, your viewing enjoyment, and ease of maintenance.

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