A Hanging Softwood Hopper Bird Feeder
- Hands on
- 180 min
- Start to finish
- 4 hours
- Level
- moderate
- Makes
- one hopper feeder, 220mm square at the tray and 260mm to the ridge
An open platform feeder leaves seed to go soft in the first shower. A hopper feeder roofs the tray instead, with the roof left unscrewed rather than glued so the whole top lifts off for a clean-out. It is sized from a single offcut of exterior ply and a couple of lengths of softwood batten, with no joint more complicated than a screwed butt.
What you need
Step by step
-
Cut the tray floor to 220 x 220mm from the 12mm ply, then drill a scatter of 6mm drainage holes across it with the piece clamped to a scrap backer so the bit doesn't blow out the underside as it breaks through.
20 min -
Cut the two side lip battens to 220mm from the 20 x 20mm softwood, and the ridge cleat to 220mm from the same stock.
10 min -
Glue and screw the two lip battens along the left and right edges of the tray floor, proud by the full 20mm, to hold seed on the open sides.
20 min -
Mark the pitched house profile on the two gable blanks with a combination square: 220mm wide, 150mm to the eave, rising to 260mm at the centre ridge.
15 min -
Clamp each gable blank to a sacrificial scrap on the bench and cut the roofline with the jigsaw.
20 min -
Ease every cut edge with the random orbit sander, plywood edges especially, which splinter if left sharp.
15 min -
Screw the gable ends to the front and back edges of the tray floor, flush with the floor and square to the lips.
15 min -
Cut the two roof panels to 260 x 170mm from the 12mm ply.
15 min -
Screw the ridge cleat along the top edge of one roof panel, then screw the second panel to the other face of the cleat to form the ridge joint, checking the overhang is even at both ends before the final screws go in.
20 min -
Lower the roof assembly onto the gables and screw down through the roof into the gable tops, two screws a side, left snug rather than driven home so the roof can still be lifted off later.
15 min -
Drive the screw eye into the centre of the ridge cleat and finish every surface with the exterior oil or wax.
15 min
Afterwards
Vacuum sawdust out of the tray corners rather than blowing it, and let the finish cure fully — overnight at minimum — before hanging it, since birds will be feeding hard against it within the hour. Empty and scrub the tray with hot water every few weeks regardless of weather; wet, caked seed moulds and can make visiting birds sick.
Questions
What should I finish it with?
An exterior oil or wax sold for garden furniture, and check the tin for fungicide or insecticide additives — birds perch and feed in direct contact with this surface, unlike a bench.
Will squirrels get into the seed?
The roof keeps rain off but does nothing against a squirrel. Hang it well clear of a branch or fence they can jump from rather than changing the build.
How do I clean it out?
The roof is screwed, not glued, specifically so it lifts off. Tip out old seed, scrub the tray, and let it dry fully before refiling and screwing the roof back down.
Can I use solid softwood instead of plywood for the roof and gables?
Yes, at 12mm and 18mm respectively, provided you seal the end grain well. Plywood is specified because it resists cupping better in a panel this size that takes weather on both faces.