How to Make a Recycled Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Maria Corcacas: Sxc.hu

Bring bird-watching to your own backyard by inviting hummingbirds to visit. These small yet quick birds feed primarily on insects and nectar from flowers. You can fill special hummingbird feeders with artificial nectar to supply hummers with an easy snack and to give yourself a viewing opportunity. While store-bought feeders are available, create your own quickly and easily from a recycled glass bottle. The only supply you need to purchase is a hummingbird feeding tube, which is available at wild bird suppliers and garden stores. Keep the bottle out of the landfill while supplying food to wildlife---a win-win solution.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Glass bottle 4-gauge copper wire Feeder tube
Glass bottle
4-gauge copper wire
Feeder tube

Step 1

Choose the bottle for the hummingbird feeder. Smaller bottles like soda and beer bottles hold less nectar but also weigh less so are less likely to fall and break. Wine bottles hold more nectar but are heavier.

Step 2

Create a loop in the center of a 5-foot length of copper wire slightly larger than the neck of the bottle. Insert the neck into the loop.

Step 3

Wrap the two ends of the wire loosely around the bottle until only 18 inches remain on one end. Wrap tight enough to hold the bottle steady but loose enough that you can slide the bottle out.

Step 4

Loop the last 18 inches of wire up over the bottle to form a handle. Bend and loop the end around wire that is wrapped around the bottle, then twist together to secure.

Step 5

Remove the bottle and hang the wire hanger where you wish your feeder to be. Hang it close enough to a window or an outdoor seating area so you can easily enjoy the hummers.

Step 6

Fill the bottle with nectar, and then place the hummingbird feeding tube cap on the bottle. Place it in the hanger so the tube is at the bottom of the feeder.

Tips & Warnings

Use thinner copper wire to decorate the hanger. Make vines by wrapping thin wire around a pen. Thread red beads onto the wire to help attract the hummingbirds. Make your own nectar by mixing one part sugar to four parts boiling water.

Use thinner copper wire to decorate the hanger. Make vines by wrapping thin wire around a pen.

Thread red beads onto the wire to help attract the hummingbirds.

Make your own nectar by mixing one part sugar to four parts boiling water.

Clean the feeder before refilling it. Clean and refill the feeder every three days or if the nectar looks cloudy or shows signs of mold.

Clean the feeder before refilling it.

Clean and refill the feeder every three days or if the nectar looks cloudy or shows signs of mold.

Article Written By Jenny Harrington

Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening.

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