Edible Bird Feeders

I am interested in making some feeders for christmas...altho there is plenty of info on-line, I thought maybe some of you might have made them, and have some actual hands on hints and ideas. What the birds will really eat and what just looks nice.

thanks

Do you mean feeders where the structure is made from edible components like corn (dried on cob) and decorated with seeds, nuts, dried fruit, etc?

IME, birds will "really eat" anything involving peanut butter. (So will I, LOL)

Ive taken Pine Cones and put peanut butter on them, rolled them in seed and froze them over night. They are usually eaten in a couple of days, pine cone ends up being re-usable.

I've also formed peanut butter suet into balls, rolled in bird seed, and hung them up for the birds...

PB suet recipe is at the end of the article I did on making a bird feeder from a piece of Christmas tree...http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/467/

Here is the link: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/467/

Jill forgot the space before it. Do ya' think that she might be a little bit distracted by the ♥Angel♥ in her lap? ^_^

Thanks! I didn't even realize not having a space in front would prevent it from becoming a hyperlink... makes sense, though.

Distracted? Me? LOL Maybe a little bit... by some Little Bit. :-)

Somebody made a wreath for the birds last year. I hope that they post it here.

Googled it! looky here - http://images.google.com/images?q=bird%20food%20wreath&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GFRD_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

I didnt think of a wreath. That looks far more doable, and the birds should love them. Im going to do some p.butter in the pine cones too, just cuz ive got so many in the yard.

That little bit was sure beautiful in that gown she wore. What a blessing and a wonderful day.

Just found this thread. Here is the link the thread about the birdseed wreath I made last year. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/935808/

Thanks, ive been checking out those web sites this morning. Want to make a batch this weekend to get the hang of it. Leaves me next weekend to tweek them.

Be sure to report back on what you tried and how well it worked out, please!

I think the recipe with the egg whites (1 egg white per 1 cup seeds) looks promising... but due to the risk of salmonella, I think it might be better to use dried egg whites or ones from pasteurized eggs. It seems like salmonella bacteria could survive the 100 degree baking/drying of that recipe, and I don't want to put out something contaminated.

excellent thinking...ill get some. I am in a dither now over what kind of 'seed' to use. I feed the birds at the regular feeders the FL woodpecker mix from wild birds unlimited. Its mostly just big nuts and rainsins and im not sure they will hold. I might go get some of the more seedy stuff from HD to give it a shot, wonder if sunflower seeds matter.

I think small seeds (like a millet mix) would probably hold together best. Sunflower seeds, nuts, dried cranberries, etc. might make good decorative accents.