There are a lot of bird feeders in our backyards, and some of them are handmade out of clay. Generally they are hung from tree branches or poles; birds are safer eating from a suspended feeder than one on the ground, and mice are less likely to get into the food. So one of the most important considerations when you are designing a bird feeder is how will you hang it and will it stay up in the wind? Next, is the food sheltered from the rain? Can you design it with a roof or with recessed feeding ports? Will the wind blow the seeds out? If the seed is exposed to rain, can the water drain out again? If you put drainage holes in, are they large enough for seeds to fall through, or get stuck in the holes and clog them? Before you even make a bird feeder, you might need to consider the kind of seeds you’ll fill it with. Black oil sunflower seeds are favored by many varieties of birds, and they are large enough not to go through small holes in a ceramic feeder. Many bird fanciers fill their feeders exclusively with these seeds. Safflower seeds are popular with many birds as well, and are not so appealing to squirrels, so they may be a good choice. Other types of seeds, such as millet or thistle seeds, are very small, so it may be difficult to provide drainage for a feeder filled with these seeds. Cracked corn is relatively large, but it is not universally recommended for bird feeders. It appeals to many birds you might not wish to feed, such as blue jays and crows, and birds that feed from the ground, such as ducks and pheasants. It certainly attracts squirrels, and corn is sometimes included in bird seed mixes as a bribe for squirrels, more than for the birds! If you do feed corn, you’ll want to get cracked corn, not whole kernels, and be very careful not to let it get wet or moldy because it can develop toxins that are harmful to both birds and squirrels.
You can make a simple and elegant bird feeder by throwing a hollow donut form that is open on the inside, like a tire. Turn the donut to stand vertically, as if it were to be mounted on a wheel rim. Tie a sturdy cord around the top edge to hang it or add a couple of holes to thread a cord through. Pierce one or more small holes in the underside for drainage. Fill it with black oil sunflower seeds, and hang in a spot that is sheltered from wind. Birds can easily perch on the rim to feed from it, especially if you use matte glazes or leave the rim unglazed.
Another simple style of feeder is thrown as a closed form, with holes cut on opposite sides to allow access. A small hole in the top allows for hanging. These feeders are easy to make and to hang. As always, put drainage holes in the bottom to prevent moldy seed.
Dome-Shaped Bird Feeder
Bird Feeder with a Roof
You can also make a classic hanging covered bird feeder with feeder ports and a lid. This type of feeder can hold a quart or two of seed and can accommodate several birds at one time. If well designed, the majority of the seed is protected from rain and wind, and the ports dispense the seed gradually as the birds eat it. Inserting twigs or sticks near the feeder ports will make it easier for birds to perch and help themselves. Be sure to clean the feeder every now and then, and never leave wet seed in it to get moldy.
Hummingbird Feeder
One special bird feeder that must be mentioned is the hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds seem to have a special hold on our hearts; we’re thrilled to see these tiny, jewel-toned birds zipping around. While hummingbirds live on spiders, insects, and insect eggs, they require nectar or sugar water to supply the boundless energy they seem to possess. A hummingbird feeder is a bottle, hung upside down, plugged with a cork fitted with a siphon tube. The feeder tip is red to attract the hummingbird’s notice. Throw a small bottle form from a pound or so of clay, with a narrow neck sized to fit the feeder’s cork. Instead of trimming a foot into the bottom, attach a loop from which to hang the feeder. Hummingbirds feed while hovering, so no perch is needed. You must be careful to clean it frequently and change the nectar if it gets cloudy or starts to ferment.
Excerpted from the new book, Making Pottery for the Home and Garden: Projects for the Handmade Home by Sumi von Dassow. Published by The American Ceramic Society. NOW available in the Ceramic Arts Network Shop at ceramicartsnetwork.org/shop.
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You can make a simple and elegant bird feeder by throwing a hollow donut form that is open on the inside, like a tire. Turn the donut to stand vertically, as if it were to be mounted on a wheel rim. Tie a sturdy cord around the top edge to hang it or add a couple of holes to thread a cord through. Pierce one or more small holes in the underside for drainage. Fill it with black oil sunflower seeds, and hang in a spot that is sheltered from wind. Birds can easily perch on the rim to feed from it, especially if you use matte glazes or leave the rim unglazed.
Another simple style of feeder is thrown as a closed form, with holes cut on opposite sides to allow access. A small hole in the top allows for hanging. These feeders are easy to make and to hang. As always, put drainage holes in the bottom to prevent moldy seed.
Dome-Shaped Bird Feeder
Bird Feeder with a Roof
You can also make a classic hanging covered bird feeder with feeder ports and a lid. This type of feeder can hold a quart or two of seed and can accommodate several birds at one time. If well designed, the majority of the seed is protected from rain and wind, and the ports dispense the seed gradually as the birds eat it. Inserting twigs or sticks near the feeder ports will make it easier for birds to perch and help themselves. Be sure to clean the feeder every now and then, and never leave wet seed in it to get moldy.
Hummingbird Feeder
One special bird feeder that must be mentioned is the hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds seem to have a special hold on our hearts; we’re thrilled to see these tiny, jewel-toned birds zipping around. While hummingbirds live on spiders, insects, and insect eggs, they require nectar or sugar water to supply the boundless energy they seem to possess. A hummingbird feeder is a bottle, hung upside down, plugged with a cork fitted with a siphon tube. The feeder tip is red to attract the hummingbird’s notice. Throw a small bottle form from a pound or so of clay, with a narrow neck sized to fit the feeder’s cork. Instead of trimming a foot into the bottom, attach a loop from which to hang the feeder. Hummingbirds feed while hovering, so no perch is needed. You must be careful to clean it frequently and change the nectar if it gets cloudy or starts to ferment.
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