How to Make a Hummingbird Feeder From Recyclable Plastic Containers

Who doesn't love to see hummingbirds?

There are many hummingbird feeders on the market. Many are difficult to clean, some are expensive, and most are made of plastic which degrades in the sun.

You can make your own feeder, using plastic containers that you were going to throw out anyway.

Pop bottle with cap (the bottle should have a narrow "waist" so that the hanger can be secured around it without slipping)

Half pint container (the kind they have at the deli counter at the grocery store)

Two to four caps from milk-type bottles (these can be threaded caps or snap-on caps

Wire (any kind) or string

Power drill

Drill bits (1/8" & either 5/64" or 3/32")

Sharp utility razor or stout scissors

Glue that will work on plastic and is weatherproof

Piece of scrap wood (for protecting your workbench when drilling)

Place the top of the deli container upside down on a workbench. Take the cap off the pop bottle. Place the pop bottle upside down on the deli container lid, centering it as best you can.

Trace around the mouth of the pop bottle with a pen, or a pin.

Now use a pair of strong scissors to punch a small hole in the middle of the circle, then cut just inside the circle. It's best to cut in a spiral from the center to the drawn line, then go around the line.

Make the hole a little smaller than what you drew. The hole needs to be a snug fit around the pop bottle and you can always make the hole bigger, but you can't make it smaller!

Once the hole is cut, try screwing the deli lid onto the pop bottle. If it doesn't fit, trim the hole until it fits. When it fits, leave the bottle and deli container attached together.

Plastic caps from milk bottles will be used for the feeding ports. These can be any color. They will be glued upside down to the top surface of the deli container lid, and will serve as a handy perch for the birds.

First, turn the cap upside down and cut a notch in the side of the cap, with either strong scissors or a utility knife. This will allow rainwater to drain out of the cap.

Now glue the caps to the top of deli container lid. You can attach 2, 3, or 4 caps. Space them evenly so the feeder will be balanced. Glue them so the notch you just cut is pointed to the outside, away from the bottle.

Apply the glue to the center of the milk cap, and press it down firmly onto the deli container lid, and let the glue spread. You want a solid layer of glue from the center of the cap out to the edge, with no bubbles. Mold will form in any air gaps between the milk cap and the deli lid.

Let the glue dry or cure according to the glue instructions.

Once the glue is completely cured, the feeder holes can be drilled. Use a 5/64" or 3/32" sized bit, with a block of scrap wood underneath to protect your work surface. Drill a single, clean hole in the center of each milk cap. This may be easier to do if you remove the bottle first. Remove it carefully, as some plastics tear easily.

Make sure the holes are clean, and not obstructed by and pieces of plastic.

Now change the drill bit to 1/8". Drill 3 holes in the pop bottle cap. Be sure to have your piece of scrap wood underneath. Placement and spacing of the holes doesn't matter.

Wire is best for the hanger. String can also be used, but it can degrade in the sun.

Take a piece of wire, and make a small hook in the end. Hold the bottle upside down. Now wrap the wire around the narrow part of the bottle.

Loop the wire through the hook, squeeze it snug around the bottle, and bend the wire upward, over the bottom of the bottle, and under the other side of the wire. Then bend the wire upward, and cut off any excess.

Hummingbird nectar is one part white cane sugar, four parts (by volume) water. Don't use honey or any other kind of sweetener. Don't color it red. Don't use brown sugar or "golden" sugar. Just use white sugar.

Screw the bottle onto the deli container lid. Fill the bottle with nectar, and screw on the bottle cap. Then snap the deli container onto its lid. Flip the bottle right side up, and squeeze the bottle a few times to force some nectar into the deli container. Now hang up the feeder.

Place the feeder on a hook in the open. Sun or shade doesn't seem to matter.

Hummingbirds are very smart. They've learned to investigate anything shaped like an inverted "T". They aren't attracted to red nectar or fake flowers.

Be sure to change the nectar every few days, especially in hot weather, and clean the feeder with soap and water when you do, and rinse it well. If mold begins to form in the bottle, just replace it!