Have you ever wanted to build a bird table?
There are many different designs you can try out, so let’s have a look at a few that you might enjoy!
Idea 1 – Standard Wooden House
For the most basic kind of bird table, choose a square table with a post in each of its four corners, and a single leg beneath it.
The four posts will support a sloping roof that defies the rain and gives a slight challenge to the bigger birds, making them less likely to land on it.
The post that lifts the whole table into the air will usually sport spokes to drive into the ground, or to support the table and keep it upright.
Simple wins: is the simplest kind of bird table, and it works well for feeding the birds.
Idea 2 – Circular with Pillars
If you’re tired of the normal bird houses, you might want to try a circular one.
You can create this in the same way as the normal wooden one, except you will be using circles instead of square and a conic shape for the roof.
This can look very lovely, especially if you space some pillars around the outside, far enough apart that the birds can land.
Make sure that the roof sticks out far enough from the platform so the rain wont drop down and wet the food on the table.
Idea 3 – Rustic Bird Table
With the standard wooden house design above, you can create a wonderfully rustic bird table design by using pieces of driftwood and other bits of wonderfully worn wood to create the house.
You can then decorate the piece of art with shells, stones or whatever you have to hand that looks natural and pretty.
It’s a great way of making sure the house fits beautifully into the world of your backyard so that everything is harmonious.
Idea 4 – Hanging Bird Table
Sometimes you don’t want your bird table to stand on the ground.
If you’re keen on letting your birds dine in style up in the trees, use the same standard wooden house design, but instead of creating a central pole to make it stand up, you will be making a hanging point.
To do this:
- Get a strong metal loop, and screw it to the top of the bird house.
- Alternatively, get a strong metal bracket and screw it on, then run some wire through it.
You don’t want string (which will rot), or the table will come tumbling down.
Idea 5 – Super Simple Bird Table
If you want a really easy project, try just making a simple square top with a lip, and a pole beneath it
The lip that helps to keep the food on the table, and the pole lets it stand upright.
If you can stick your pole in the ground you’ll want it spiked so as to drive it in firmly.
A roof will help it last longer and, of course, the food won’t get wet.
From Experience: You’ll have to keep the surface clean, scraping off bits of food that have gone moldy or gotten very wet.
Idea 6 – Multi-Level Bird Table
If you want something slightly more complicated, then why not try your hand at this multi level bird table.
You will need a strong, sturdy pole to act as the central support.
Now make platforms of varying sizes and get some metal brackets to screw them to the pole with.
Decide on the spacing and be sure that there is enough space for the birds to land.
Don’t make the platforms too big, or the brackets won’t be able to hold them properly and larger birds may knock them off.
Idea 7 – Screw On Bird Table
If you want a beautiful bird table to set against a wall or fence, this is the one for you.
You can make a much smaller cottage for the little tits like this.
With some bright paint on it, it will look delightful on the wall and the little birds will be flitting to and fro.
Idea 8 – Hexagonal Bird Table
A more challenging design for the DIY experts among you, the hexagonal bird table adds a geometrical dimension to your backyard.
The process is not easy unless you have previous experience:
You will need to measure and cut out very carefully so that all the sections are in line, particularly if you are going for the model with a roof.
You will want a structural support at every corner to give the roof stability and make sure that they are tall enough to make the roof high so that birds are able to fly underneath it with ease.
Idea 9 – Two Tier Bird Table
You can have a very elaborate two tier bird table if you use the standard model and simply add another tier instead of the roof.
With a few more supports you can raise a roof above the second level to keep the food on it dry.
Most people prefer to make those two levels different heights and feed birds of different sizes on different levels.
If you make the lower layer fit for pigeons and crows and the top only space enough for finches and tits, you lessen the bullying at the bird table.
Idea 10 – Hanging Tiers
If you’re truly audacious, consider making a hanging tier bird table!
For this:
- You will be swapping the structural supports of the tiers with a strong cable, and leaving each layer to separate by gravity.
- You will need a strong hook in the roof so that your table doesn’t come crashing down on your head, and then you can drill holes in each corner of the tiers.
- You then run a cable through the corners, and through the corners of each succeeding tier, and tie it off after each tier.
- You can add as many layers as you want for this, and at any tiers desired!
Idea 11 – Haunted House Bird Table
For those who want to try something a bit on the spooky side, consider making a standard bird table with a difference.
Angle the ridge so that it appears to be falling in, and maybe deck it out with some painted holes or even broken edges. Alternatively, consider a small hole in the actual table.
Paint the table and post with a dark stain, when you can hang some cobwebs on there come Halloween.
This bird table makes a perfect backyard decoration.
Idea 12 – Simple Hanging Tent
A really quite simple option, this is better for little birds on the whole: You will need two rectangles of wood and one rectangle with an end that comes to a point (this will double as a landing platform).
You need to angle the two same rectangles to form a roof to the bird table, but instead of using the supports to hold them away from the table you will attach them to the base.
This will form a nice snug enclosed-up place for you to put the food in and it will keep dry. Just make sure that the triangular end to your base sticks out from the “tent” the other two make in front, or the birds will find it difficult to land and get at the food.
Idea 13 – Bottle Feeder Table
To recycle an empty plastic bottle, a feeder that spills seed only when the table is bare can be used.
Start by providing a back piece to which the bottle is to be attached, and a base on which the seed will fall.
This table is supported by a pole or may be screwed to a fence.
Cut off the bottom of the bottle, and fix two more pieces of wood just above it on a sloping angle to form a roof.
There will be two small holes in the back piece of this table; now wind a wire around the neck of the bottle.
Point downwards, with the open neck towards the base of the table, and thread this wire through the two holes, twisting it at the back to hold it in place.
Food will pour out of the ‘bottle’ on to the table as the birds collect it. When it becomes necessary to refill it, the opening is at the top.
Idea 14 – Mailbox Bird Table
Mailbox lovers might want to replicate its shape with some rectangular scrap wood, a post and a sheet of bent metal to keep the rain out.
Leave the sides open so that birds can get in and out readily, and consider adding a cute address sign, or the words “Leave some mail for the birds!”
Idea 15 – Wraparound Table
If you have a large tree in the backyard then consider building a circular or hexagonal bird table that can wrap around this.
It’s perfect for those birds that will feed but use the tree for cover, and the protection will help the table to last for longer.
Build a few struts and fix them to the trunk of the tree, then build the table on these.
Your Choice: This is such a design that really does give the forest feel.
Conclusion
There are so many fun bird table ideas to try out, so don’t hesitate to go for it.
Even the ones that flop are great DIY practice, and the birds will appreciate any design no matter how wonky!