Design

• You can easily design and build a bird feeder that your feathered friends will flock to for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Select the spot for your feeder, determine how it will be supported, and decide whether you'd like to include a dispenser as part of the overall design. The location for your feeder should be high enough that cats can't easily pounce on unsuspecting birds while they eat. Consider placing the feeder so that it's visible from inside your home; this will increase its entertainment value for your family. Hanging the feeder from a tree is a simple solution, but you can also build your feeder on a free-standing post. Building a birdhouse with a dispenser is a bit more complicated than a simple tray type of feeder, and you also must consider that you'll be feeding squirrels more often with a dispensing feeder. The bird food left in the container will attract the squirrels.
  
  

Materials

• Cedar is a good choice for building bird feeders. So is treated wood or teak. These types of wood stand up to the elements better than untreated wood, and they also resist mildew and insect infestation. Window bird feeders are made with clear acrylic or Plexiglas so that you can watch the birds through the window as they feed. You'll need a tool to score the acrylic or Plexiglas so that you can snap it into different sizes for your feeder, as well as special glue for this material. Building wood bird feeders requires a saw, screws and a screwdriver or hammer and nails. All of these materials are available at a home improvement store. If you plan to feed hummingbirds, you'll need a liquid dispenser and container. You can order parts for hummingbird feeders online.
  
  

Construction

• Make a template for each section of your bird feeder. Basic feeders include a back piece that is the height of the feeder with two equally sized sections, one for the base of the tray and one for the top cover. You'll also need three strips of wood to form the tray, one equal to the width of the feeder and two that are equal to the width of the tray base that form the sides of your feeder tray. Build your bird feeder by attaching the top and the base to the back piece with screws or nails, forming a squared "U" shape. Construct the tray by attaching one strip to the front of the base and one strip to each side, forming a square or rectangular tray. Add a hook to the top and hang it with a small chain or fishing line.