Hummingbirds are a perennial favorite of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. With their bright colors and rapidly-beating wings, they’re incredibly fascinating. Plus, hummingbirds are pollinators, so bringing them into your yard and garden is just a solid idea all around. Unfortunately, buying a traditional hummingbird feeder and pre-packaged nectar can get pricey. But TikTok has the solution with a DIY hummingbird feeder that’s budget-friendly and easy to make. Made out of a Mason jar, this feeder will add a rustic touch to your backyard decor. You can also make your own nectar, which could save you money over time.
This DIY is a great craft to do with kids. If you have older kids, they could each create their own feeder alongside you, possibly turning it into a competition to see whose feeder attracts the most hummingbirds. But even small children can help in the making of the nectar with supervision. Young kids love to be part of the action, and involving them in this fun activity makes this a perfect DIY for the whole family.
DIY hummingbird feeder and nectar
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Because hummingbirds are so tiny, you want to use the smallest Mason jar available for your DIY feeders. An adorable 4-ounce size can be found online or wherever Mason jars are sold. Any larger than this and you’re going to have leftover nectar at the bottom of your feeder that the hummingbirds can’t reach, leaving it to congeal and harden.
Start this project by making the nectar. Pour 2 cups of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil, then add half a cup of sugar and stir until it’s dissolved. While you could leave the nectar clear, hummingbirds are actually attracted to bright red, orange, and pink flowers, though it is not recommended to use artificial coloring as that could prove toxic. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside.
While that cools, start making your feeder. First, take the lid off the Mason jar and trace it onto a plastic folder (available in any school/office aisle). Cut out the shape, then punch four holes near the center of it. Add your cooled nectar to the feeder, and place your new plastic lid on the jar instead of the old one. Then, either use a pre-purchased hanging Mason jar band (available where Mason jars are sold) or attach a small chain to the original band. Hang your hummingbird feeder in the yard and count how many hummingbirds stop by!
