Science at Home - Design a Bird Feeder

Science at Home: Design and Make a Bird Feeder

Our At-Home Science project was to design and make a bird feeder to use in our garden.  The feeder must be made from recycled materials.  

Materials:

·        Use a selection of recycled materials.

·        Your materials must be water-proof so you can hang the bird-feeder in your garden.

·        Make sure you include a method to hang the feeder.

·        You can make simple feeders from cardboard milk cartons or plastic drinks bottles.

Making feeders work

Good feeders let birds feed in ways that match their natural way of feeding. Some birds use feeders often, others hardly ever use them.

The way in... (Feeder Design)

Design and make feeders which let birds reach the food in different ways.

Attracting different types of birds…

·        Some birds like to perch before they feed.  Will you have a perch on or near your feeder?

·        Some birds are very acrobatic and like to hang upside-down on feeders.  Will you hang things from your feeder to attract acrobats?

·        Some birds like a flat surface on which they can stand and peck at their food, and others like to perch on the side of the feeder.  Which type of bird will you make your feeder for?

Evaluating the feeders (Did they work?)

• Did the birds actually use your feeders?
• Do different birds like different designs?
• Is the feeder designed like their natural way of finding food?

Which birds used your feeders?

Here are the pictures of our finished feeders.  We are very proud of them: