There's something about a cardinal in the snow that makes a cold morning feel a little warmer. A platform feeder is about the simplest bird feeder there is, and it brings in a wide mix of birds. This one has a mesh bottom, which Cornell Lab of Ornithology recommends because it keeps the seed from sitting wet.
What you need
- One 1x2 board, about 4 feet (actual size 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches)
- A piece of 1/8 inch metal mesh (hardware cloth), about 8 x 13 inches
- Exterior wood glue and 1 1/4 inch exterior screws
- Staples or small screws with washers for the mesh
- Four screw eyes and a light chain (or a post mount)
- Untreated cedar or pine
Extension guidance for birdhouses, such as Auburn University's, says to use untreated lumber, and that's the sensible choice for a feeder too.
Cut list
| Part | Qty | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Long rails | 2 | 1x2, 12 in |
| Short rails | 2 | 1x2, 5 3/4 in |
| Center brace | 1 | 1x2, 7 1/4 in |
The math: the short rails fit between the long rails, so 5 3/4 + 3/4 + 3/4 = 7 1/4 inches wide. The frame is 12 x 7 1/4 inches outside, about 46 inches of 1x2 total with saw cuts.
Steps
1. Build the frame. Stand the rails on edge so the frame is 1 1/2 inches deep. Glue and screw the short rails between the long rails at each end. Drill pilot holes so the ends don't split.
2. Add the mesh. Turn the frame upside down. Lay the hardware cloth over the bottom, trim it about 1/2 inch inside the outer edges, and staple or screw it down every few inches. Fold under any sharp cut edges or file them smooth.
3. Add the brace. Screw the 7 1/4 inch brace across the underside at the middle, over the mesh. It keeps the mesh from sagging under a full load of seed.
4. Hang it. Put a screw eye in the top edge of each corner and hang it from a light chain, or screw it to the top of a post.
5. Leave it unfinished. Cedar weathers to gray on its own. If you want a finish, keep it on the outside and underside, away from the seed.
What to put in it
Cornell Lab says black-oil sunflower seed is the best place to start because it attracts the largest range of species. Offer different feeders and foods if you want even more variety.
Suet is especially useful in cold weather, Cornell says. Raw suet can go rancid once temperatures stay above freezing, so stop offering it when the weather warms up.
Keep it clean
Cornell Lab recommends cleaning feeders about every two weeks, and more often in wet weather or when lots of birds are using them. Scrub with soapy water, or soak in a solution of no more than 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, then rinse well and let it dry before refilling. Rake up old hulls and moldy seed under the feeder.
The mesh bottom helps here. Cornell notes that wet seed can sprout, mold, or spoil, and a solid tray holds water.
Don't forget water
In winter, water can be harder for birds to find than food. Cornell suggests a heated birdbath or an aerator so the water doesn't freeze, and changing the water often.
Windows and bears
Windows: Cornell's newer guidance says the old advice about placing feeders a certain distance from windows no longer holds up. Instead, make nearby windows bird-safe with exterior markings spaced closely across the glass, or other collision-prevention products.
Bears: if you live in bear country, state wildlife agencies like New York's DEC say to take feeders down when bears are active. Seed is an easy meal for a bear.
Grandpa's feeder might have been a board nailed to the porch rail with a handful of scraps on it. The birds came anyway. Today we know a little more about keeping seed dry and feeders clean, and that small bit of care keeps the birds healthy all winter.