Making natural orange bird feeders for our feathered friends is super easy. Every winter, when the yard looks drab, I love to make orange bird feeders for yard ornaments and, of course, to feed the birds.
We live in Florida, so we have extra birds visiting our yard in the winter, so these adorable feeders provide much-needed fuel for the birds. In addition, we have some of the bird feeders placed close to our handmade birdhouses, so they are convenient for nesting birds.
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How to Make an Orange Bird Feeder
Supplies
- Large Orange
- Wooden skewer
- Knife (slicing and paring)
- Grapefruit spoon
- Cutting board
- Birdseed
- Wire cutters (these are my favorite)
- Twine
- Scissors
Step-by-Step Orange Bird Feeder Instructions
Preparing the Orange
The first step for making orange bird feeders is to cut the orange in half. I like cutting it between the top and bottom. However, you can cut it the long way if you prefer.
Next, I use a small paring knife to cut the orange peel and the pulp.
Then I use a grapefruit knife to scoop the pulp out of the bottom half of the orange.
Inserting the Skewers
To make the orange bird feeder holders, I insert a wooden skewer about 5/8″ down from the cut edge and then all through the middle and out the other side of the orange peel.
Then I cut the skewer in half using heavy wire cutters; then, I used the extra half to insert into the orange peel to form a crisis cross.
Attaching the Twine
To create a hanger, I cut two pieces of twine 2o inches long.
Note: I use twine to make the bird feeder hanger since the birds can use the string in the spring to build their nests.
I knot one piece of twine to either end of the same skewer, then repeat the process with the other piece of string.
Note: Placing the knots away from the orange peel helps to keep the orange bird feeder from flipping over.
I like to form a loop at the top of the twine pieces for hanging.
Note: This step is unnecessary, keeping the twine from tangling.
Fill with Birdseeds
To fill the orange bird feeder, I spoon in the seed while holding the twine out of the way.
How to Make Orange Bird Feeder
DIY handmade bird feeders are so quick and easy to create. Your birds will love them, and they add a splash of color to your yard.
Materials
- Large Orange
- Twine
- Wooden Skewers
Tools
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Grapefruit spoon
- Small paring knife
Instructions
Homemade Bird Feeder
- The first step is to cut your orange in half. I like to cut it between the stem and the bottom. However, you can cut it in the other direction too.
- Next, to remove the pulp, I use a small paring knife. Finally, I cut through the orange peel and the pulp area.
- Then I use a grapefruit spoon and scoop out the pulp.
- Next, I push a wooden skewer through the peel (approx ⅝ inch down from the cut edge) and then out the other side of the orange peel. My goal is to create a crisis cross with two skewers. Therefore, I repeat the process halfway around from the first skewer.
- I cut two pieces of twine 20 inches long; then, I tied each one to either side of one skewer. Then I knotted the top of both pieces of twine to form and loop.
- Next, I filled the orange bird feeder with wild birdseed.
- Finally, I hung them in the trees outside my office window to enjoy the wildlife.
Notes
You can use apples as well as oranges for this style of bird feeder.
Hang Orange Bird Feeder
To hang the bird feeders, I use the loop in the twine and place it over a tree or large bush branch.
Note: These bird feeders and be refilled.
You Might Also Enjoy These Posts:
How to make DIY pinecone bird feeders.
How to make a DIY Birdhouse.
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See you soon,
Kippi
Leanna
Thursday 14th of March 2024
Hi Kippi this is such a cute and easy to do project. The wild birds that surround us thank you.
Cindy
Tuesday 25th of January 2022
This is adorable. In NJ the squirrels would destroy this is seconds. The birds would get nothing
Marie
Tuesday 25th of January 2022
How clever! I never would have thought of this. Will share with my mom- she loves to feed birds in her backyard. The cats love to watch the show from indoors ;)
Linda
Friday 21st of January 2022
Such an ingenious idea! I bet all sorts of birds love this feeder! Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
Kim
Friday 21st of January 2022
What a cute idea Kippi - and I bet the birds love it! I've pinned to try in the spring - its waaay to cold here now! Thanks for sharing!