Let’s Make a Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder!

Build your own popsicle stick bird feeder, fill it with birdseed and see which feathered visitors stop by. Keep it clean and bird-safe, and you might discover some of Aotearoa’s backyard birds along the way!

You Will Need

• 50–60 popsicle sticks — coloured popsicle sticks work best, or use plain popsicle sticks and paint or colour them with Paint Pens
• Glue
• Paint (optional)
• Birdseed
• Twine for hanging
  

 

Build the Base
Lay out 10 popsicle sticks side by side to make the base.
Glue two popsicle sticks across one end, then two across the other end to create a square.
Keep building up the walls by adding one stick at a time to opposite sides. Continue until your dish is about 4–5 sticks high.
Let the glue dry before moving on.

Make the Roof
Lay out 10 popsicle sticks side by side. Glue two sticks across each end to hold them together.
Repeat this to make a second roof panel.
Glue the two panels together along their top edges to create a simple roof shape. Let dry.

Put It Together
Glue four popsicle sticks upright onto the corners of the base. These will support the roof.
Write “Birds Welcome” on another popsicle stick and glue it across the two front supports.
Once the supports are secure, glue the roof onto the four upright sticks.

Finishing Touches
Thread a piece of twine through the roof so you can hang your feeder.
If you would like your bird feeder to be water resistant, paint with a couple of layers of PVA Glue or modge podge first. Let it dry before adding a new coat. 
Decorate if you like, then fill with birdseed and hang it outside!

Tips for Feeding Birds Safely

Choose bird-friendly food: Avoid bread and processed human foods. Many shops and supermarkets stock ready made bird seed.

Keep it clean: If you use a feeder or water dish, clean it regularly to help reduce the spread of disease.

Keep birds safe from predators: Hang feeders well away from cats and other predators.

Don’t feed too much: You want to supplement their natural food, not replace it.

Grow their own food: Native plants such as kōwhai and harakeke provide natural kai for birds like tūī and korimako/bellbirds, as well as shelter. Leaving some leaf litter also helps attract insects for birds such as pīwakawaka/fantails.

Keep feeders away from windows: This will reduce the chance of birds flying into the glass.