Transform A Kitchen Staple Into A DIY Feeder That Birds Will Flock To

If you want to bring more birds to your backyard this summer, there's more than one way to make that happen. No, you don't have to search or save up for a fancy new birdhouse or bird feeder. Turns out, there are actually many kitchen items you can turn into DIY bird feeders. For this project, you will need a few basic supplies, including one main kitchen tool: a mesh strainer. 

If you don't have an unused strainer in your kitchen, you can find affordable options at secondhand stores or the dollar store. While prices will vary by location, many sell online for under $5 apiece. You can create your own hanging device using a wire coat hanger, a pair of pliers, some string, and your strainer. This is just one of many ways you can utilize an old kitchen strainer in the garden.

For this project, you can use any size mesh strainer you desire, depending on how large you want your bird feeder to be — and depending on what strainer you may have lying around at home. This is a project even beginner DIYers can tackle. This feeder is easy to move around your yard, and you can hang it from trees or even a fence. Hopefully, this project will bring a more vibrant population of birds to your property.

First, use pliers to unwind the bottom of your wire clothing hanger and remove the bottom bar entirely. Next, you're going to attach the hanger directly to the mesh strainer by inserting the remaining ends of the hanger into the mesh and winding them closed. If your strainer has little prongs for sitting on the sink, the two wires can also go through those.

The next step will depend on your strainer. If it has a handle, tie your string to the handle and the other end to the hanger's hook. When you hold the hanger hook, the strainer should balance thanks to the string. While this step is optional, you can also secure grapevine, twigs, or branches to the makeshift feeder, which can help the birds feel more comfortable and likely to approach it. 

Finally, it's time to hang it up. Secure the hanger's hook to a tree branch or bird feeder pole and, once you're sure it can support some weight, add your birdseed inside. Your backyard flying friends will be able to perch on the side of the strainer, snack on the seeds, and even push them through the mesh underneath.