Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Looking for a way to entice the hummingbirds into your yard or onto your porch? Check out these step-by-step directions to create your own recycled bottle hummingbird feeder!

Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder what you need

Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder Recipe List

You will need:

  • 3 small plastic bottles, empty and labels removed
  • 3 yellow bendy straws
  • 3 red plastic cups (plates or bowls will also work)
  • Drill
  • Hole punch (optional)
  • Craft wire
  • Glue (I used super glue, but Elmer’s will also work)
  • Scissors
  • Marker (optional)

First, drill a hole in each bottle cap. I selected a drill bit the same diameter as the bendy straw. Although I was attempting to drill each cap’s center, I was a little off. This looks OK, too! Insert a straw into the hole in each cap. Trim so that about 1” of straw is left inside of the bottle. 

Carefully glue the straw in place, using the superglue. If using Elmer’s glue, allow the straws & caps to set overnight before continuing on to the next step.

Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder. Glue straw into bottle

Cut out the “flowers” from the red cups. The cups I had on hand were white on the inside, so I cut two flowers from each cup and placed the white sides together. I used the drill to carefully create a hole in the center of each flower pair (a single hole punch would work, too). I placed a piece of scrap wood underneath to create a stable drilling surface.

Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder drill hole in red flower

Thread a flower onto each straw.

Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Cut a length of craft wire that can be wrapped 4-5 times around the center of one bottle, and leave about 12 inches  of a tail. This will be joined with the other bottles’ wires to create the hanging hook. Repeat for the other 2 bottles. 

Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Wind together the “tails” to the desired hanging length, and create a loop. Use craft wire to bind the 3 bottles together. I found having an extra pair of hands helped with this step! 

Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Last – fill the bottles with hummingbird juice, and hang! I followed the recipe from the National Audubon Society available here.

Make Your Own Recycled Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Want to know more about hummingbirds? Check out this recent post from Babbs: Hummingbird Resources Sure to Brighten Your Spring here.

Don’t want to DIY? Here are a few options of ready-made feeders from the following retailers:
Amazon 

Walmart

Tractor Supply

  • About Jackie Richardson

    Jackie Baird Richardson is an interior designer, editor at The WON and avid junker. Watch for her design tips and occasional crafting ideas, bringing the outdoors indoors.