DIY Ladybug Bird Feeder

Easy DIY Ladybug Bird Feeder Project for Spring and Summer

This ladybug bird feeder was so fun to make. And it’s super easy and cheap!  You probably already have all of the materials, or you can easily gather them up and start creating.

This is a fun project for the kids/grandkids.  Get them excited about backyard wildlife when they create their own feeder.

Feeding the birds in your yard is one of the most fulfilling hobbies that I’ve found.  And I’m sure you will enjoy it too.

Backyard Bird & Wildlife Journal

I wouldn’t consider myself a professional “birder” by any means, but learning to identify the different species and their unique behaviors is like getting to know a good friend.  You look forward to their arrival at your feeder and you can even recognize individual birds by their unique markings.

Whenever a new species visits my feeder, I reference my Birds of West Virginia Field Guide to learn more about it.  As the author says,

Bird watching is a simple and enjoyable way to bring the beauty of birds closer to your home.

My Backyard Journal is sold on Amazon

I even created a journal to keep a record of all the birds and other wildlife that visits our property.  It’s neat to look back through the journal and see when certain bird species arrive each season.

 Backyard Journal: A journal for recording information about the birds, wildlife, plants and flowers in your yard.

The 120-page journal includes the following pages:

• 60 blank lined pages to use as a daily/weekly journal, gratitude journal, prayer journal, to-do lists, gardening checklists, seasonal landscaping checklists, or any other notes or memories you’d like to record.

• 24 Birding Journal detail pages with 20 spaces on each page to record the date, bird name, location, male/female, and notes.

• 5 Birding Journal notes pages.

• 12 Garden Journal detail pages with 20 spaces on each page to record the date, plant/flower name, source, and notes.

• 5 Garden Journal notes pages.

• 8 Wildlife Journal detail pages with 20 spaces on each page to record the date, wildlife name, location, male/female, and notes.

• 5 Wildlife Journal notes pages.

Now let’s get that feeder built so you can start enjoying your new feathered friends! 

Materials Needed for DIY Ladybug Bird Feeder

Materials:

1 large plastic coffee container with lid (like this red one)

1 sheet each of black and white sticky vinyl (Dollar Tree has this in the craft section or order on Amazon in bulk)

1 or 2 sheets (depending on size and color of can) of red sticky vinyl.  You can also use red paint.

1 piece of thin wire.  Floral wire or a couple bread ties would work, or any thin wire.

Wooden bbq kabob skewer (optional)

Other items:

Knife or box cutter

Scissors

Drill/bit (optional)

Wire cutters

Cricut or Silhouette machine (optional)

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step #1

Cut the sides of the can to make the wings for this DIY Ladybug Bird Feeder.  Cut a rectangle-shaped area on three sides (bottom, left and right).  Leave the top of the rectangular piece attached.  Pull open the cut pieces to expose the inside of the can.  Make sure the rectangular opening is large enough for the birds to get inside.

This is what the can will look like from the top.

Step # 2

Use scissors to cut pieces of the red vinyl to cover any of the writing on the can or areas that aren’t red.

For the can I used, I needed to cover the wings and the top of the can with the red vinyl.

Step #3

Use the black vinyl to make the circles that will be on placed on the wings and top of the can.

I used my Cricut to cut the circles, but you can also use scissors.  I cut the circles in two sizes – 2″ and 1.5″ to add some variation.

Step #4

Place the black vinyl circles on the wings and top of the can.  Choose any pattern you’d like.  No two ladybugs are alike in nature, so just use a random pattern.

Step #5

Cut 2 rounded oblong pieces from the white vinyl for the eyes.  I chose to go fairly large with the eyes for a more whimsical look.

Place the 2 rounded oblong pieces onto the can lid for the ladybug’s eyes.

Cut 2 smaller rounded oblong pieces from the black vinyl for the eye irises.  Place those pieces onto the white pieces from above.

Cut 2 smaller round pieces from the white vinyl for the pupils and place onto the black pieces from above.

Step #6

Drill a hole, or use a sharp object to punch a hole, on each side of the can that’s big enough to push the wire through.

Step #7

Feed the wire through the holes and secure the ends with a “knot” by wrapping the wire around itself.  Be sure the wire is secure and won’t pull out of the hole.

Step #8

Hang and fill your DIY Ladybug Bird Feeder, then take some pictures to share!  Enjoy!

Optional Step #9

I later added a perch for each side of the feeder.  I noticed that the birds were having a hard time getting inside the feeder without a landing spot.

I drilled a hole on each side of the feeder in the center just below the bottom of the rectangular opening.  Then I inserted the wooden bbq kabob skewer through the holes on one side, through the inside bottom of the feeder, and through the hole on the other side.  I tried just putting it into only one side, but it wasn’t sturdy enough.  Sliding it through the inside of the feeder from one side to the other worked perfectly to sturdy the perch.

Let’s See Your Creation!

Send me some pictures of your DIY Ladybug Bird Feeder and I’ll feature them on our Facebook page!

Want more DIY project ideas?  Check out DIY Campground Flag Pole – 5 Easy Steps!