12 Budget-Friendly DIYs To Attract More Birds

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There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a flock of birds enjoying your garden. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to attract some feathered friends. In fact, there are several affordable DIY projects that can attract more birds to your front or backyard. Whether you just moved into a new home or you want to upgrade an outdoor space you've been neglecting, birds will make it feel like a lively, welcoming retreat.

From DIY bird feeders made from household objects you already have to birdhouses that cost less than three dollars, there's an easy craft to suit every budget. We've rounded up some of the most budget-friendly ways to attract more birds to your outdoor space. Drawing on advice from YouTube creators and DIY experts, this guide combines a variety of practical and playful ideas. Beginners and more experienced crafters will find helpful tips and tricks to get started.

This hack excels in resourcefulness and ease of construction. A large plant saucer serves as the bowl for the fountain, and you only need a few extra accessories to complete the bird jacuzzi. This AquaNeat Small Fountain Pump should be compact enough to fit into a deep plant saucer, keeping the water moving in your spa-like bath. The movement will also help to deter mosquitoes. You can source rejected slabs of flagstone to create a shallower water feature, or small rocks to disguise the top of the pump. The different levels give small birds comfortable, stable places to perch while they drink and bathe.

You can DIY the cutest bird feeder out of organic materials from your yard. The first step is to grab a large pine cone with gaps between the scales. After you pick the perfect pinecone, gather yarn, bird seed, and peanut butter. Look for organic peanut butter with very few additives, but make sure to opt for a full-fat type for the best bird-friendly nutritional value. Hang the finished piece from a tree branch where you can easily observe the feathery visitors.

Before tossing out your plastic water bottle, try making something thoughtful for the hummingbirds in your neighborhood. Although you can purchase hummingbird feeders, this hack will save money and prevent waste with a clever upcycling concept. Bottles with red caps tend to attract hummingbirds best, but if your cap isn't red, you can simply coat it in bright paint. You'll also need a hot glue gun, yellow bendy straw, screwdriver, and yarn. Try filling your bottle with the Kaytee Hummingbird ElectroNectar, or make your own DIY hummingbird nectar with sugar and water in a 1:4 ratio.

This colorful DIY will invite more birds to your backyard space. For this bright bird fountain, you can source any Dollar Tree tumbler with a lid and straw. However, a bright red cup — like a playful watermelon design — can attract hummingbirds specifically. Consider something like this Tiles-Themed Tumbler from Dollar Tree or Tervis Watermelon Treat Tumbler from Amazon. You'll need a solar or USB-powered pump along with a plastic bowl to collect the overflow.

For another organic bird-friendly accessory, the base of this creative craft is an orange. You'll need to cut the orange in half and scoop out the insides before filling the natural "cup" full of bird feed or suet. Alternatively, consider leaving some pulp in the orange to attract orioles. They will also love a few spoonfuls of grape jelly. This hack is practically free, as long as you have an extra orange! Plus, it's an easy craft for the whole family. 

If unwanted animals are enjoying your birdbath more than the birds, this hanging planter DIY can solve the issue. Find a plastic bowl that fits snugly into a hanging basket. The inspiration project from @RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy uses two bowls to secure a layer of decorative fabric on the exterior, but you can skip this if you're happy with the look of the bowl. Then, cut a plastic soda bottle in half and punch holes throughout. Connect a plastic straw to a solar-powered pump to create the fountain feature. Top it with a LEGO panel or any flat, plastic plate in which you can easily drill a hole. If you need to source a hanging planter, consider these highly-rated ZeeDix Hanging Baskets.

This easy craft is an affordable DIY bird feeder that couldn't be easier to make. With a plastic bottle as the main material, the surface can be painted or left clear. All you need to do to complete the feeder is cut an opening. To keep out the rain, retain part of the cut-out section as a flap, and tape it up to create a small "hood" for the feeder entrance. Rectangular bottles are great if you want to mount the feeder to a tree, but round ones can also work, especially if you want to suspend the bottle with twine to create a hanging feeder. 

Not only is this birdhouse affordable, but it's also a great way to repurpose old or unused fence pickets. Although the DIY requires a bit of carpentry, it can be done by beginners. Birdhouses do not have to be perfect, and gaps can even be helpful for natural ventilation. You'll need a larger piece for the back of the birdhouse, three 8-inch-long pieces for the sides and the roof, and two smaller pieces for the entrance and the bottom. Attach the pieces with some non-toxic wood glue and nails or screws. Final tip: Avoid using pressure-treated wood for this project, and instead opt for plain, untreated cedar or pine. 

For another light woodworking project, here's a charming DIY birdhouse you can build right now with a terracotta plant pot. You just need to mount the bottom of the pot to a wooden base and cut a circular wood panel to conceal the opening. Drill a hole for the birds to enter and exit easily, and don't forget to leave room for drainage. If you need to source a terracotta pot, this Ingofin Terracotta Pot Set comes in a range of sizes.

You can easily create a shelter for birds and other small wildlife by building a simple brush pile. Not only do birds take refuge in brush piles, but some species might use them as nesting sites. The decomposing wood also attracts insects that can act as a food source. All you need are sticks from your yard. Although there are various methods to create a perfect brush pile, the birds aren't particularly picky as long as it's dense enough to protect against the elements. When your brush pile gets smaller (as it decomposes) top it off with more twigs and sticks. Word of caution: If venomous snakes are an issue in your neck of the woods, this is one DIY you may want to skip, as snakes also like brush piles. 

The only items needed for this DIY are a plastic bottle or toilet paper tube, twigs, untreated grass clippings, and scissors to hang your nesting material holder. The bottle or tube will serve as the holder for the branches, allowing birds to easily collect materials for nesting. This simple setup not only supports local birds but also gives kids a chance to observe how birds build their homes.

You don't need to be a crafting expert to complete this wire-based DIY. Simply source thick wire and use pliers to bend the wire into a heart shape. Secure the top with thinner wire and attach a small perch across the center. If you don't want to create the heart from scratch, you can purchase a product like the Amosfun Heart Wire Wreath intended for dreamcatchers and add a perch in the middle. For a product with a ready-made perch, consider the Songbird Essentials Hummingbird Swing, which can be customized with yarn or by hanging charms.