Bird Feeders

OvERVIEW

Building a bird feeder on your schoolyard site can benefit birds, while providing students with opportunities to observe and study birds that visit the site. Feeders are particularly helpful to birds in winter, when natural food supplies are scarce. Since fewer species are present in the winter and spotting birds is made easier by deciduous trees losing their leaves, the winter months are a great time to place a feeder on your schoolyard site and begin observations. Students will also enjoy observing new species that visit feeders during the spring and fall migrations and during the summer while nesting. To attract diverse species during all seasons, try to provide a variety of seed, fresh water for drinking and bathing and cover, preferably provided by native plants.

TimeFRame

Simple feeders made from pine cones, plastic bottles or aluminum cans, can be made and hung in a class period, whereas sturdier feeders made from metal or wood will likely take several class periods. Students will also need anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour to observe the feeders. This could be done as frequently as every class or as infrequently as once a season, as long as the feeders are replenished before observation.

habitat

Bird feeders require very little space. Ideally, they should be hung from a tree that provides protection from sun and weather for birds that visit.

Materials

Bird feeders can be made from a wide variety of materials. Simple feeders can be constructed by smearing peanut butter and suet on pine cones, then using string to hang the feeders from tree limbs. More complex, sturdier feeders can be made out of wood, plastic or even metal. Using the resource section below, consider available materials, your time and budget for the project, the weather the feeder will need to withstand, and the birds your site will likely attract to choose a feeder that is appropriate for your needs.

Educational Themes

Biology, ornithology, biodiversity, bird identification

Additional resources

• Project Feeder Watch: Cornell’s Project Feeder Watch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. This site provides comprehensive information about what types of feed to use, how to construct and place bird feeders, and how to ID feeder visitors.
  
• National Audubon Society: Bird Feeding Basics: A great resource for beginning a bird feeder project. Offers information such as choosing a feeder, selecting seed types, feeder location, feeder maintenance, and anti-squirrel safeguards.
  
• The National Bird-Feeding Society
• How to make your own Feeders: This PDF file describes how to make feeders out of household items: a 2 liter soda bottler, a juice can, and milk carton.

• Basics of Bird-Feeding Guide: Provide your e-mail address and download a comprehensive guide to bird-feeding.