Homemade Hummingbird Feeders (5 EASY DIY Ideas)

Learn how to create your own DIY homemade hummingbird feeder. Below are 5 easy and fun feeders that you can make yourself from recycled materials that will attract hummingbirds to your neighborhood! Find other DIY bird feeders or learn how to create homemade hummingbird food.

Hummingbirds can add beauty and life to your backyard or garden. Chances are, if you build a hummingbird feeder, your house will become a stopping point for these gorgeous, little birds that are delightful to watch. However, before you jump in and start creating a feeder, let’s look at some important background information to help you design and create a feeder that will keep hummingbirds coming back for more.

Hummingbird Feeder Hole Size

To help prevent insects (wasps, yellowjackets, bees) from eating the nectar, most hummingbird feeders have a small opening hole size between 1/8″ to 3/16″ (3mm to 5mm). In addition to the small opening, a good feeder also requires the birds to reach a short distance. Since the mouth and tongue of most insects are generally much shorter, only hummingbirds will be able to reach the solution.

Gravity vs Non-Gravity (Pan-type) Hummingbird Feeders.

Gravity-fed feeders have a reservoir, usually a bottle of some sort. Once inverted, the nectar is fed into the base by gravity. If the vacuum is lost, then the feeder can develop a slow or steady leak. On the other hand, non-gravity feeders (also called pan-type) feeders do not have the problems associated with gravity-fed feeders. In this case, as the hummingbirds drink the nectar, the level of the solution is lowered.

How Deep or Far Can a Hummingbird’s Tongue Reach?

The length of a hummingbird’s beak or bill is between 1 to 4 inches (25mm to 100mm) in length. A hummingbird’s tongue can stick out as far as its bill is long. This doubles their reach – allowing hummingbirds to drink nectar in a “pan-type” feeder that is between 2 and 8 inches (50 to 200 millimeters) below the opening. With this in mind, when creating my own “pan-type” hummingbird feeders, I try and only use containers that are at most 4″ (100mm) in height. This allows most hummingbirds to consume the nectar even at the bottom of the container.

Hummingbirds are attracted to RED

Hummingbirds are acutely sensitive to bright colors. They flock towards the color RED when looking for food and are easily drawn to sweet-smelling flowers and butterfly gardens.

DIY Hummingbird Feeder #1: Peanut Butter Container

Chances are you already have a peanut butter jar or some other container with a red lid. If so, wash it clean and drill several holes in the lid. Fill with nectar and hang.

DIY Hummingbird Feeder #2: Salt or Spice Container

This is especially easy and fun for kids because all you need is to find an old salt or spice container. Keep in mind that the lid of the container should be red. While hummingbirds have very flexible beaks, you may need to make the holes larger.

DIY Hummingbird Feeder #3: Mason Jar

For this simple DIY hummingbird feeder, you’ll need a mason jar and a piece of red plastic or some Plastic Mason Jar Lids. Possible ideas for red plastic include a red office folder, the lid from a jar, etc. Cut a piece of red plastic the same size as the metal lid and drill holes in the plastic. Why replace the metal lid?

Drilling holes in metal may leave sharp edges.
Finding a piece of red plastic will eliminate the need for painting.

Red mason jar lid, DIY, hummingbird feeder.

DIY Hummingbird Feeder #4: Maple Syrup or Glass Bottle

If you want to take advantage of beautiful glass bottles you have lying around the house, you can purchase drip resistant feeder tubes. The red tip of the tube will attract hummingbirds, and the ball bearing inside will prevent your nectar from dripping. Take any old maple syrup or glass bottle, and simply fit the tube at the opening.

DIY Hummingbird Feeder #5: Wine Bottle

If you are feeling a little fancy, you can also use a wine bottle and attach a hummingbird feeder tube to it. Our wine bottle bird feeder plans can easily be modified to create a hummingbird feeder.

Hanging or Mounting a Hummingbird Feeder

Find a place in your backyard or anywhere near your home that is shaded but also open so the hummingbirds can make a stop and you can watch them. A good location is on shepherd’s hook or a shaded tree branch.

If possible, avoid placing your feeder in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will make the sugary nectar go bad faster and will also attract other flying insects, such as bees. Your new bird feeder should provide you excitement for many seasons to come.

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