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DIY: Teacup Bird Feeder

May 22, 2020

Over the last few months our inboxes have been full of beautiful pictures of birds from all over the state! We love seeing all of the colorful visitors our supporters are spotting in their own backyards.

Today we wanted to share a unique DIY project anyone can do! It is a lovely way to spruce up your backyard, especially if you don’t mind using a vintage teacup and saucer you already have in your house. Our supporter and friend, Jenny Cox, shared her downloadable directions as well as a few pictures of the birds her teacup bird feeder attracts!

Carolina Wren feeding on teacup feeder by Jenny Cox

What You Will Need:

-Teacup
-saucer (or a small dish)
-1/2 inch conduit pipe cut to preferred length (Jenny’s are 5ft)
-5/16 – 18 X 1 1/2 elevator bolt and nut to fit
-Epoxy glue or E6000 glue

Directions:

1. Decide how you want to arrange your teacup on the saucer, upright or tipped over.

2. Glue the teacup in place on the saucer. You will have to firmly hold the teacup in place for several minutes until the glue begins to set. Let the glue completely dry for 24 – 48 hours. Avoid using deep tea cups that birds may have difficulty reaching into for food.
3. Glue the flat part of the elevator bolt to the bottom of the saucer. Hold in place firmly for a few minutes until glue begins to set. Put a dab of glue inside the nut and screw it onto the bolt just until it is level with the end of the bolt. Let completely dry for 24 hours. The nut keeps the teacup from being so wobbly when placed onto the pipe.
4. Firmly place conduit pipe into ground.
5. Place the teacup onto the conduit pipe by inserting the bolt into the top end of the pipe. Fill with bird feed or use for a small bird bath.

Make sure to post pictures of your finished project and tag us on social media! (@SCwildlifeFederation on Facebook + Instagram)

Download Directions

All bird images provided by Jenny Cox.


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