If you've decided to save and make a DIY wine bottlehummingbird feeder , you'll need an old bottle, a few feet of thick copper wire, tools, and a feeder tube. These feeders are super easy to make, and you can engage everyone around you. They're also a great gift; if you're skilled, you can sell them online.
Plus, you’ll feel proud seeing hummingbirds eat sugar water straight from your feeder and enjoy additional food sources. Remember, you’ll need a bottle no larger than 375 ml. Keep reading to see the instructions.
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What Are the Benefits of Using DIY Hummingbird Feeders?
The first benefit of using a DIY
When it comes to hummingbirds, they won’t care what they’re eating. Be it a commercially made or homemade feeder; they’ll happily check it out. Still, you should ensure that the nectar is clean, safe to consume, and regularly changed. Plus, you’ll want to clean your DIY feeder just like you would clean the one you buy.
Benefits of Glass Hummingbird Feeder
There are many other benefits to using old wine bottles to make hummingbird feeders. For example:
- Glass is easier to clean
- Nectar inside a glass feeder won’t spoil as fast as in plastic
- There are many elegant designs to choose from
- DIY bottle feeders can be a great gift idea
- Glass can be repurposed an almost unlimited number of times
- You can make it with kids for fun
Sell Your Wine Bottle Hummingbird Feeders Online
If you’re really good at making wine bottle feeders, you can earn extra money by selling them online. Open an Etsy account and post your work. Invite your friends and family to share your page. Chances are other bird enthusiasts will find you and purchase from you.
How Do You Make Hummingbird Feeders Out of a Wine Bottle?
To get started, empty the wine bottle and wash it thoroughly. You don’t want alcohol dropping on the feeding ports, tube, moat, or wires. Plan what your feeder will look like and prepare the necessary items. For the basic look feeder, you’ll need:
- Thicker and thinner wire pieces of at least 5 feet
- D ring or carabiner to hang it on later
- File to file the edges of the wires
- Needle-nose pliers to work with the wires
- Wire cutter
- Hummingbird feeding tube to add
- Glass bottle not larger than 375 ml (12 oz) — other sizes will be too heavy
- Beads for decorations (optional)
Here are the steps in the process to making the best wine bottle
1. Prepare the Bottle
Once you prepped your bottle, proceed to file the edges of the wires. They shouldn’t be sharp so that the birds don’t hurt themselves. Then, bend the wire in at least two circles, one larger and one smaller. The smaller circle will hold the neck of the bottle. The larger one will hold the body.
2. Prepare the Wire
Ensure that the wire is loose enough. Remember, you’ll need to clean and refill the bottle feeder, and you’ll want to remove it with ease. Now you can move on to decorations. Thread the beads on 12-gauge copper wire and wrap that around the feeder. Use red, yellow, or pink to attract hummingbirds.
3. Feeding Tube
Finally, place the feeder tube in the bottle opening. Ensure it’s snug enough, so it doesn’t fall out. Fill the feeder with nectar and hang it on a thicker wire and a carabiner with the bottom of the bottle up. Alternatively, make some perches and stoppers from insulated wire and wrap those around the neck of the bottle as well.
4. Decorate
You can also actually paint some parts of the bottle in the color red with non-toxic dye. If you get stuck, there are many online video tutorials for both glass and plastic bottles, as well as bird baths and birdhouses. While hummingbirds won’t be using the birdhouse, they’ll love having a bird bath around.
How Do You Hang Bird Feeders in a Wine Bottle?
If you want to make a hanger as well, you’ll need a thicker copper wire that you’ll attach to something in your yard. Keep in mind that it’s supposed to support a filled bottle, so you’ll need something solid to hang it on. Look for thicker branches or roof parts that can handle the weight.
Alternatively, use a simple hook and twine, rope, or chain to hang your feeder. Store-bought feeders already have built-in hooks. If you make your own, you’ll have to improvise by twisting a wire or buying a hook to add to the feeder.
What Is the Ideal Wine Bottle Feeder Size?
Ideally, you want a feeder that can take enough hummingbird nectar so the birds have something to eat for a day. DIY bird feeders are usually smaller than commercial ones. For example, they go from 50 to 375 ml.
This size is great for hanging on windows or in a group to satisfy the needs of multiple birds. However, you shouldn’t go above 375 ml glass bottles due to their weight. You might not be able to pack a lot of hummingbird food in those, but at least you know they won’t fall and hurt the birds.
Wine Bottle Hummingbird Feeder Overview
The homemade
Clean the bottles you’ll use, wrap the thicker wire around them, and hang it safely upside down, with a feeder tube in the opening. Make as many as you want, but don’t use bottles that can store over 375 ml. These are heavy and may fall, hurting the birds in the process.