Convert A Thrift Store Find Into A One Of A Kind Platform Bird Feeder

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Platform bird feeders give bird watchers the most bang for their buck because they can attract the largest variety of birds to your yard, from sparrows to quail and lots of species in between. And if you're a bird enthusiast who has been scouring to find a good-looking platform bird feeder and have not had any luck, consider expanding your search to thrift stores. Instead of looking just for platform bird feeders, look for a basic lantern candle holder. Due to their flat base and handle at the top, these lantern platforms are easy to hang from a branch of a tree and often have a wide enough bottom to hold enough bird seed for several days.

If you're going to upcycle an old lantern for this easy DIY bird feeder, keep a couple of things in mind. You can work with one that does, but getting it ready for bird seed will require a few extra steps. First, be sure to look for one that has a wide bottom. This gives you more space for bird seed. Second, it will be easier to convert a lantern into a bird feeder if the lantern has no glass panes. You might need some tools if your lantern has glass panes, but the types of tools you'll require may depend on the lantern. Some lanterns have pegs that you can remove with needle-nosed pliers. Once the pegs are removed, the glass panes will slide out. Others may have screws or glue that keep the glass in place. In light of this, it's best just to have a toolbox and gloves nearby in case you need them. Finally, you'll need a chain and some hooks, too.

Once you get your lantern home, remove any extra pieces, like the glass panes, and give it a good cleaning. If there are any spots that have bits of stuck-on dirt or grime, clean them out. On a related note, bird seed can mold, so be sure to dry the interior of the lantern thoroughly after you wash it out. If your lantern is lacking a hook or ring at the top, you can weld or super glue a hook like the WHITECLOUDZ Black S-Hook to the top of the lantern itself. This'll allow you to attach a chain to the top of the lantern-turned-bird-feeder. 

It may also be wise to drill a few small holes in the base of the lantern to allow for water drainage and airflow to the seeds. Consider going light on the bird seed when first hanging your feeder. Instead, plan on letting the feeder go empty or almost empty before you refill it again. This not only minimizes the likelihood that the seed will mold, it will also cut down on the number of bird droppings that end up in the feeder between cleanings.

Finally, if the lantern you've purchased is small, you may want to buy a couple of different lanterns of various shapes and sizes to put in different parts of the yard so that you can draw in more birds. One of the benefits of having lots of bird feeders in the yard is that it helps to avoid overcrowding and competition, allowing you to observe more birds. Having a few platform bird feeders will spread the wealth, so to speak.