Don't Throw Out Old Wine Bottles: The DIY Upcycle That Will Bring Birds To Your Yard

That empty wine bottle waiting to be recycled can instead be repurposed to create an elegant gravity-fed bird feeder with just a few simple modifications. This clever upcycling project will keep seeds dry, minimize spillage, and reduce the number of times you need to refill your feeders. Using basic physics, you fill the old wine bottle and flip it over, so it sits slightly higher than the feeder tray. As birds eat from the tray, it will make room for more seeds to flow from the bottle, maintaining a consistent food supply. Unlike a normal feeder that requires frequent refilling, this system can help sustain birds for days while protecting the bottled seed from weather or pests.

It may not be the perfect bird feeder to keep squirrels away, but it does have its advantages. The narrow opening helps limit seed exposure to the elements, keeping things drier during the rainy season. The use of gravity reduces mess by only dispensing what birds eat, cutting down on wasted seeds. Using different colored bottles can also serve various purposes. Green glass will help block sunlight that could degrade seed quality, while clear bottles allow you to easily see how much food is left and when you need to refill it. This fun DIY only requires a few simple tools and materials — a wooden base, screws, wood glue, a wine bottle, and some basic woodworking skills.

There are so many benefits of having a bird feeder in your yard, and constructing this one is a great afternoon DIY project. You will start by creating a simple wooden frame that can securely hold the inverted wine bottle. Cut a backboard and base with a slightly downward angle to help the seed flow naturally, then attach some side pieces with wood glue. You can get as creative as you want with the feeder style and dimensions if it is tall enough to fit the length of your bottle with a little extra room. Using strategically placed screws, you will create a cradle about an inch from the bottom of the base for the bottle's opening to sit on. Place your bottle in that cradle and add a few screws at the top of the bottle to help "clip" it in place.

Personalization options are plentiful for this useful feeder, and it is a great time to get the kids involved. You can paint the whole base with non-toxic outdoor paints in colors that match your garden aesthetic. Add metal accents or decorative tiles for a more formal look. You could also use multiple bottles on a single long base to mix and match your seed types, since different seeds will help draw in a variety of birds. If you want to go even further with your design, add some solar-powered LED lights and a motion camera to capture any nighttime feedings. In the end, you will have a useful feeder that will save you time and attract more beautiful birds to your yard.