DIY Fall Gourd Bird Feeder

We love a good DIY project using natural materials, so this fall bird feeder made from a beautiful gourd was right up our alley! Read on to learn how to make your very own fall gourd bird feeder at home.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A gourd

2. Some string, twine, or wire

3. A knife

4. A drill

5. Some wooden dowels or a stick you can break apart

6. Your favorite birdseed

There were a lot of options at the market we went to. Some had the bulb shape, some were wider and stockier. The variety of colors was also incredible! We liked this shape, color, and pattern, but depending on where you go you can find pretty much anything you like!

Create an opening + clean it out

Cut a hole in the front of the gourd.

Note: we ended up having to use our drill for this step because our gourd was harder than expected. If you pick something more akin to a pumpkin, you should be able to use a knife to get a nice clean hole.

We tried two different knives before resorting to a drill. Don’t be like us. Use the right tool for the job from the beginning.

Clean out the inside to make room for your birdseed.

Get your feeder ready for birds and to be hung in a tree

You’re going to want to add wooden dowels or break apart a sturdy stick to add places for birds to perch and a support for hanging the feeder in a tree.

For these holes we used the drill to get the right size and shape. Depending on the shape and size of your feeder, you may want to add more or fewer perches.

You’ll want to make sure at least one perch will put visiting birds within reach of the seeds inside.

Some people like to paint or draw on their gourds to add a little pizzazz. We loved the exterior of ours just the way it is, so we left it alone. If you do choose to decorate the outside of your gourd, be sure to use non-toxic materials that won’t flake off and risk being ingested by the birds. Also, refrain from using anything glittery or reflective.

Fill with seeds and hang

Fill your gourd with seeds or your local bird’s favorite food. Hang it up in a tree and watch the birds enjoy it!

Let us know if you try out this fall craft!