Hummingbird /
Oriole Feeder
This project was featured in the May 2010 issue of Birds & Blooms Extra.
What you will need:
- 3' length of 10-gauge copper wire.
- 12" length of 18-gauge copper wire
- One Double Shot Glass (3 oz)
- Wire Strippers/Cutters
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Round Barrel Pen or Pencil
- Glass Beads
- Round object 4"-5" in diameter (Optional)
Instructions:
- Using the needle nose pliers, make a small hook at one end of the 10-gauge wire. This will be the feeder's hanger.
- Starting at the hanger end, gently bend the wire into an arch. You can use a round object to help you with this or you can bend it freehand.
At approximately 12" from the hanger end, bend the wire at about a 45 degree angle. Place the shot glass on top of the wire and bend the wire around the bottom. (See the attached photo).- Cup the wire and glass in one hand while wrapping the remainder of the wire tightly around the glass three times with the other hand. You may need to adjust the wire, so that the bend in the bottom part of the wire will support the cup.
At this point, you should have about 6"-8" of wire remaining. Curve the remaining wire into a "C" shape in front of the glass to make the perch.- To help the feeder hang better, gently twist the main part of the hanger a quarter turn to the right or left.
- To decorate the feeder further, take the 12" piece of 18-gauge copper wire and start wrapping it around the 10-gauge wire starting near the top of the hanger. Wrap the thinner wire around the thicker wire using approximately 6" of the 12" length.
- Using a round barreled pen, wrap the remaining thinner wire around it to make a curly Q, leaving enough room at the ends to attach your beads.
- In this project, I've attached three beads in alternate sizes. To secure the beads, curl the end of the wire with the needle nose pliers.
How to Use the Feeder:
You can fill your feeder with sugar water, jelly or fruits to attract a multitude of birds.
For hummingbirds, mix one part white sugar to four parts tap water.
For orioles, mix one part white sugar to six parts tap water.
Orioles are also attracted to oranges, grape jelly and meal worms, which can also be placed in the glass. You can also fill the feeder with cut up grapes or raisins to attract birds like woodpeckers, bluebirds, tanagers, grosbeaks, cedar waxwings, catbirds, robins, and mockingbirds.
Change the water and fruit daily in hot weather or 2-3 times a week otherwise.
Try different sized and shaped glasses if you have difficulty getting birds to come to your feeder. You may also want to experiment with different size perches or locations where you place your feeder.
A printer friendly pdf of this article (without pictures) can be downloaded here.