The secret to luring orioles? Oranges! These DIY oriole feeders are relatively simple to make and oriles will flock to them.
Orioles will not break your bank! Inspired by a design by Daniel Medbury of Plymouth, Mich., this simple DIY oriole feeder is modeled after one he made. We’ve also barracked it slightly so anybody can build it — even a kid with a little bit of parental supervision. You might even have enough scrap lumber stashed away to build one or two without spending a dime.
One piece of scrap 2 x 4, at least 13 inches long
One 1-inch x 8-inch board, approximately 12 inches long
One 1/4-inch dowel, minimum 18 inches long
Zip ties and four 2-1/2-inch galvanized finishing nails
Four common nails
Waterproof carpenter’s glue
A single screw eye for hanging the feeder
Table saw
Power drill
Combination square
These have to be cut at least 13 inches long on a 2 x 4 board. Make two 45° cuts to create a central peak at one end (this is the top). Use a combination square or tri-square to assist in drawing the angles to cut.
“Dog-ear” the bottom end corners by sawing off each corner at a 45° angle, about 3/4 inch.
Drill two 1/4-inch holes. Mark one hole 1-1/4 inches from bottom of the board and the other 6-1/2 inches from bottom. Ensure you drill the holes 90 degrees to the 2 x 4. Which will make sure that your perches are straight.
From the 1-inch x 8-inch board, cut two pieces for the roof. One part should be about 6 inches x 7-1/4 inches as well as the various other 5-1/4 inches x 7-1/4 inches. (If you’d like, dog-ear the outermost corners of the roof pieces, cutting off about 1 inch from each corner at a 45° angle.)
Use a hammer and two common nails to nail the roof pieces to the 2 x 4 peak. The short piece overlaps with the long.
The feeder can hold multiple oranges, which are secured to the feeder by being speared onto 2-1/2-inch finishing nails. Nail these into the sides of the 2 x 4 about 3 inches above of each perch hole. Drive the nails an inch or so into the 2 x 4, angled down, so the oranges won’t slide off.
Cut the 18-inch dowel in half for the perches. Have the dowels inserted in the holes and centered. A dab of waterproof carpenter’s glue in the holes will secure the perches tightly.
So each time, you will be filting or cutting a flat spot in the middle of the top of the roof for the screw eye to hang the oust feeder. To prevent splitting, drill a pilot hole first.
An optional coat of deck stain will help protect the wood from the elements. Wait until the stain is dried before using the feeder.
Pssst—orioles also enjoy eating grape jelly.
Fresh oranges are much better for feeding orioles along with the color orange which is very attractive to these birds, therefore these wreaths are excellent for attracting orioles. Someone pecking at these DIY orange wreath oriole feeders, which was hung on or near other sturdy branches to give the oriole a perch!
Coat hanger with some toilet paper roll
Tools: Needle-nose pliers (or stout hands)
Wire cutters
Oranges
Cutting board
Good slicing kitchen knife
Ribbon and berries (optional)
Take the cardboard tube off your hanger and bend the two sides of the hanger together until they are about an inch apart.
For the outline of a bird,draw the shape as below: Using my hands was the easiest way for me to start. I then used a pair of needle-nose pliers to shape and smooth out rough curves. Grab some pliers or wire cutters and snip the curled ends off the hanger.
Slice oranges into approximately ¼-inch slices From the ends of the orange, trim small pieces of rind into approximately ½-inch triangles. Those work as spacers between the cut and those bits will help hold everything in place. Skewer an orange slice through each wire. Thread a piece of rind alongside it on one or both wires. Continue until you run out of wire.
Add a little bow, and some berries at the end if you like. Hang near a window so you can watch the feeding orioles!
