Crafting DIY Bird Feeders Ignites Creativity
In the colder months, winter birds face harsh conditions, including food shortages and the risk of cold weather. To help these feathered friends, you can make your own high-fat pine cone bird feeders at home. This simple and eco-friendly activity provides a concentrated source of calories that birds love.
To begin, collect pine cones from your yard or nearby natural area. A nature walk is a perfect opportunity to find these essential materials. Once you have your pine cones, tie a string around the top of each one for easy hanging.
Next, generously cover the pine cone with peanut butter, which acts as the "fat" to provide the energy birds need during winter. If you wish to increase the fat content even further, melt lard or vegetable shortening and mix it with seeds and oats. Allow this mixture to cool and harden around the pine cone for an extra energy boost.
Once the pine cone is saturated in butter or lard, roll it in a mix of birdseed, oats, and possibly crushed nuts or seeds to adhere them to the pine cone surface. This provides the birds with the necessary nutrition they need.
Finally, hang the prepared pine cone feeders outdoors in trees or from hooks where birds can easily access them. You can place them on a bird table if you have one.
These homemade pine cone bird feeders are an easy and engaging activity that not only helps winter birds survive the cold months but also offers an additional food source for them during winter. Remember, however, that putting food out for birds can make them reliant on the food source, so it's essential to continue providing them with food throughout the winter.
Emma Vanstone, July 16, 2025.
[1] High-energy, fat-rich food source for winter birds. [2] Making pine cone bird feeders can be a fun and engaging activity. [3] For higher fat content, you can also incorporate melted lard or vegetable shortening mixed with seeds and oats. [4] These feeders offer a concentrated source of calories. [5] Many birds rely on bird feeders as their only food source during winter.
Kids will enjoy the lifestyle of outdoor-living as they help make high-energy pine cone bird feeders for nature's winter residents. By following a simple homemade recipe that includes peanut butter and seeds, home-and-garden enthusiasts can create a fat-rich food source that boosts the birds' energy during cold months. This DIY activity encourages a connection with nature and provides an extra nutrition source for these feathered friends in the home-and-garden setting.
