Bird Feeder Ideas

SUMMARY:	Make a bird feeder with your class to attract different birds to your classroom. This lesson is part of a series. Select this text to learn more about the series and how to extend its usefulness.
OBJECTIVES:	Become familiar with birds in your backyard.
SUBJECTS:	Science and Art
GRADES:	K - 5
LENGTH:	1 - 2 hours

Background: If you want to attract birds to your house or school classroom you can build one of these feeders. Be sure to place the feeder where the birds who come to feed are safe from cats and other predators.

Materials: Pine cones, peanut butter, string, milk carton, hole punch, scissors, 1/4 inch wood dowel or unused pencils, exacto knife, and bird seed.

How to:

Pine Cone Feeder:

1. Mix bird seed and peanut butter together.
2. Spread this mixture on the outside on the pine cone.
3. Tie a string to the top of the pine cone and hang it outside of your window.

Milk Carton Feeder:

1. Take an empty milk carton and cut square windows out of each side about three inches from the bottom.
2. Cut an 1/4 inch "X" on each side of the carton, 1/2 way between the bottom of the carton and the cut out square. Make a second set of "X"s lower than the first.
3. Poke the 1/4 dowel through the "X" on one side and follow it through to the other. Repeat for the other pair of "X"s.
4. Fill the bottom with bird seed. Punch a hole in the top of the carton, attach a string and hang outside of your window.
5. Keep notes on the new feathered friends that visit the feeders and make an observation journal that you keep by the window. Do certain types of birds prefer one feeder over another?