Coir Bird Feeder to Attract Birds!

During winter, many birds rely on feeders to get the food and nutrients they need. Bird enthusiasts and nature-lovers often set up feeders of all varieties to attract and sustain local species. One all-natural bird feeder that’s low-cost, easy to make, and biodegradable is the coir bird feeder. Made from hollowed out coconut shells and their coir husks, these feeders are both environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

What Is a Coir Bird Feeder?

A coir bird feeder is typically created from the empty half of a coconut shell and its fibers. Some coir bird feeders incorporate the entire shell, with a hole carved out of the middle through which birds can access the feed. These feeders have a natural look that attracts local birds and blends into garden settings. They’re durable and long-lasting but biodegradable when composted or thrown away. Because they’re made from a natural byproduct of the coconut industry, they’re also readily available and affordable.

How to Make a Coir Bird Feeder

While a variety of coir feeders are available commercially, you can make a coir bird feeder easily using a coconut shell and a few basic components. If the shell is not already cut in half, halve it and drill a hole in it through which to pass a cord or string. Fill the shell with your desired mix of ingredients, let it set in the refrigerator for an hour, then hang it in your garden.

Common coir bird feeder ingredients include a combination of lard or suet (good energy sources for birds) and peanuts, seeds, insects such as mealworms, and/or dried fruit. You can also fill them with premade suet mixtures. Once the birds have exhausted the filling, you can make a new batch and refill and rehang the shell.

Another easy-to-make coir bird feeder design involves gluing a wooden stick through the hole drilled in the top of the coconut shell. Slide the suet-filled shell, upside down, onto the stick, which you can hang using a rope or wire.

Coir Bird Feeder Benefits

The benefits of coir bird feeders are many. They supply native birds with important nutrients, particularly during cold spells when their natural resources are scarce. They’re cost-effective, durable, and easy to make at home. They’re made from an all-natural and environmentally friendly material that’s also biodegradable. They have a natural appearance and make for seamless additions to any garden. You can enjoy watching a variety of bird species come to your feeder, including finches, sparrows, cardinals, jays, chickadees, and nuthatches, depending on your region.

By encouraging birds to feed on your property, you can also benefit from their appetite for insects. Many birds consume insects such as beetles and mosquitoes and can serve as a natural form of pest control, reducing the need for harmful insecticides.

Add a coir bird feeder to your yard, porch, or garden to help nourish your local bird population. This eco-friendly byproduct of the coconut industry blends in with its natural surroundings to attract birds of all species.