This DIY PVC pipe bird feeder can be made from extra materials lying around your house. Also make a PVC bird feeder for hummingbirds.
Homemade PVC Pipe Bird Feeder Ideas
Updated on Jan. 07, 2025
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PVC Bird Feeder for Seed
A PVC pipe and old plates make a cheery dining spot for birds! I made this pvc bird feeder with leftover material from our bathroom remodeling. You can decorate or paint the pipe any way you like.
Bonus: It holds plenty of birdseed, and you can control how much seed is released. All the supplies should be available at a hardware store.
Materials
- Short length of wide PVC pipe (ours is 4-1/2 in. in diameter)
- Eyebolt, nut and 2 washers (ours is 8 in. total length)
- Bread plate and saucer
- Primer
- Acrylic or spray paint
- Finishing spray
- Adhesive
- Sandpaper
- Drill and tile drill bit
- Jigsaw
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Cut the pipe with a jigsaw so it’s about 3 inches shorter than the total length of the eyebolt. (Be sure to wear safety goggles.) Cut four triangles out of the bottom edge of the pipe where the birdseed will be released. The bigger the triangle you cut, the more birdseed will come out at a time.
Step 2
Sand the rough edges of the cuts and the pipe itself to prep it for primer. Prime the outside; let it dry.
Now get fancy and decorate your pipe! There are endless ways to go: spray paint, stencils, paint pens and more. Let each layer of paint dry. When your design is completely dry, spray the entire thing with finishing spay.
Step 3
Drill a hole in the center of both the bread plate and the saucer with drill and a tile drill bit that will make a hole big enough for your bolt. Drill slowly with minimal pressure to avoid cracking your plates.
Step 4
Attach saucer to top of pipe with adhesive and let dry. Thread bolt through washer and saucer. Fill pipe with your favorite type of birdseed; attach bread plate to the open end with the nut and the other washer. Turn it over, hang, and let your flying friends enjoy!
Editor’s note: To add more birdseed, turn the feeder upside down, undo the nut (and washer), remove the bottom plate and refill the PVC pipe. Put the bottom plate back on and turn right side up to rehang.
Learn how to make a DIY silverware suet feeder.
PVC Pipe Hummingbird Feeder
Materials
- Three 9-in. lengths of ¾-in. PVC piping, each with threading at one end only
- 6 PVC caps (3 slip, 3 threaded)
- Plumber’s seal tape (if necessary)
- PVC adhesive
- Fine steel wool
- Drill and small bit
- Spray paint
- ½-in. masking or painter’s tape
- 14-gauge copper wire
- Glass beads
- Fabric or plastic for flower (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Using steel wool, lightly sand the pipe pieces and caps, including the insides of the slip caps.
Step 2
Attach slip caps to the non-threaded end of the pipes with PVC adhesive. Allow to dry.
Step 3
Drill a small hole in each piece of piping about 3 in. from the capped end.
Step 4
Paint the PVC pipe. Prime it first or use a spray paint with primer. Spray on a base color and allow to dry. Create stripes by taping off a candy-cane pattern or other design and spraying with a second color. Create a zigzag stripe (as shown) by applying tape in the opposite direction of the first stripe and spraying with a third color. Allow each paint layer to dry completely before removing the tape.
Step 5
Once paint is dry, wash pipes with mild soap and warm water to remove any paint odor or residue.
Step 6
Cut a 22-in. length of wire and fold it in half, leaving an eye hook at the top. Twist the wire five times, add a glass bead and twist five more times. Wrap the two strands of wire around center of one pipe, twist five times, add a glass bead and twist five more times. Repeat for remaining pipes.
Step 7
Finishing: To hang the pipe pieces together, trim 1 wire at the end of the last twist, leaving a 1-in. tail on the other wire. Bend tail into a “C” to link the feeders; flatten the “C” slightly with a hammer so the copper will hold its shape. To hang pieces individually, make a decorative swirl with both wire ends (as shown at center and far right) and flatten with a hammer.
Step 8
Line everything up and tighten the wire around the tube. Tighten the twists until the tube is level and the hole faces up.
Step 9
If desired, make a flower out of fabric or plastic. Put a hole in the center and glue to the outside of the feeding port.
Step 10
Test feeder with water: Fill at the threaded end and close with a threaded cap. If it leaks, wrap the pipe threads with seal tape.
Step 11
Fill feeder with nectar or sugar water, placing your finger over the feeding hole to prevent spilling. Seal with the threaded cap and hang with the feeding hole facing up.
Next, learn how to make a DIY bluebird house.
