12 Clever Ways To Transform Scrap Wood Into Bird Magnets For Your Yard

Make something quick and useful for one of your hobbies

Scrap wood can be quite a frustrating puzzle for DIYers and woodworkers. You know that perfectly square bit of plywood is good for something, but it’s too small for most home improvement projects and there are too many such scraps to store them all for long. The answer to this riddle is already in your own habits: Make something quick and useful for one of your hobbies. And if you happen to be a birdwatcher or even just an aficionado of outdoor living, there are endless possibilities.

The things that attract birds are usually the simple necessities of bird life: water, food, and shelter. Water and wood don’t mix well, of course, but there are ways of making a project like a DIY birdbath better by accessorizing it with a wood stand or perch. Feeders and nesting boxes are great uses for scrap wood, though be careful to use only untreated wood and non-toxic finishes and sealers. Most of these projects can be accomplished with the simplest of tools, and can probably be accomplished with a hammer, backsaw, and miter box. (That’s the one downside of using scrap wood: smaller wood becomes a little harder to cut, not easier). If you have a miter saw, circular saw, or even a jigsaw, these projects should take almost no time at all.

Atomic Facts

• Scrap wood can be frustrating for DIYers.
• Water and wood don’t mix well.
• Treated wood can be toxic to birds.

Mini-Hooks

• Make a DIY birdbath better with a wood stand or perch.
• Use scrap wood to create a bird feeder or nesting box.

12 Clever Ways to Transform Scrap Wood into Bird Magnets

1. Birdbath Stand

Here’s a good way to create a good bathing spot for your backyard birds. A birdbath stand designed with crossed dimensional lumber, like short 2×4 cutoffs, with a shallow cup-shaped depression cut out of the center allows you to use any similar-sized vessel for your birdbath. You don’t need to overthink what container to choose as even an old pot lid can be repurposed into a cute DIY birdbath. The wood framework also makes it easy to attach other things to the stand, including a means of mounting it in other spots, like on a deck rail or a post in another area of your yard.

2. Birdbath Perch

A wooden stand also makes it easier to attach a scrap wood perch to your birdbath. The perch itself doesn’t need to be very large, so almost any bit of spare wood will do the trick. Perches are important in that they give birds a moment to check out their environment before they dip into the bath and make themselves momentarily vulnerable. It also turns out to be a boon for photographers, who can get what looks like posed shots at these birdbaths, which can sometimes be rather chaotic without a landing zone.

3. Garden Perch

A perch doesn’t have to be at a birdbath, of course. They have the same encouraging effect anywhere in a yard or garden, but particularly near feeders. A perch in the open can be made of just about any spare piece of lumber or stick of trim, since it doesn’t take much for the average bird to pause on for a moment. Whether you stick yours into the ground or mount it on a wall, perches are great resting spots, and because of that they’re also great for birdwatchers and photographers.

4. Basic Bird Feeder

Like most bird-related woodworking projects, a feeder is perfect for using up scrap wood because there simply aren’t any large pieces of wood necessary for the typical build. Some designs do require a bit of plexiglass so you can keep an eye on the seed level and refill it as necessary, but this isn’t crucial. In fact, no part of the design is really crucial, but there should be some sort of container for the seed, and for many species it’s important to have a perch at the feeder.

5. Bench Feeder

Some gardeners might be hesitant to invite birds to have a seat in gardens where they have been known to peck at the fruits and vegetables, but — as with squirrels — the trick to keeping birds polite is to keep them well- and intentionally fed. Just as you’d give any other garden visitor a seat in your yard or garden, why not give your birds a resting and feeding spot that doubles as a cute bench? We’ve seen a few of these, including one made with pallet wood, and it’s remarkable how little scrap goes into the design.

6. Simple Nesting Box

A simple nesting box is another great way to use up scrap wood and create a cozy home for your birds. You can use any type of wood you like, but make sure it’s untreated and free of any chemicals that might harm the birds. You’ll also want to make sure the box is the right size for the birds you’re trying to attract. You can find plenty of plans online for different types of nesting boxes, or you can come up with your own design using scrap wood.

7. Birdhouse

A birdhouse is similar to a nesting box, but it’s designed to be more permanent and can be hung from a tree or mounted on a fence post. You can make one using scrap wood and a few simple tools, and it’s a great way to attract birds to your yard. Just be sure to hang it in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and is protected from the elements.

8. Window Bird Feeder

A window bird feeder is a great way to attract birds to your yard and provide them with a source of food. You can make one using scrap wood and a few simple tools, and it’s a great way to enjoy the birds from the comfort of your own home. Just be sure to place it in a spot where you can easily see the birds, and make sure it’s safe for them to land on.

9. Platform Bird Feeder

A platform bird feeder is a great way to attract birds to your yard and provide them with a source of food. You can make one using scrap wood and a few simple tools, and it’s a great way to enjoy the birds from the comfort of your own home. Just be sure to place it in a spot where you can easily see the birds, and make sure it’s safe for them to land on.

10. Hanging Bird Feeder

A hanging bird feeder is a great way to attract birds to your yard and provide them with a source of food. You can make one using scrap wood and a few simple tools, and it’s a great way to enjoy the birds from the comfort of your own home. Just be sure to place it in a spot where you can easily see the birds, and make sure it’s safe for them to land on.

11. Bird Feeder Pole

A bird feeder pole is a great way to hang your bird feeder and provide a safe and convenient way for the birds to access their food. You can make one using scrap wood and a few simple tools, and it’s a great way to enjoy the birds from the comfort of your own home. Just be sure to place it in a spot where you can easily see the birds, and make sure it’s safe for them to land on.

12. Birdhouse Mount

A birdhouse mount is a great way to hang your birdhouse and provide a safe and convenient way for the birds to access their home. You can make one using scrap wood and a few simple tools, and it’s a great way to enjoy the birds from the comfort of your own home. Just be sure to place it in a spot where you can easily see the birds, and make sure it’s safe for them to land on.

Conclusion

With these 12 clever ways to transform scrap wood into bird magnets, you can create a bird-friendly yard that’s sure to attract a variety of species. From DIY birdbaths and feeders to perches and nesting boxes, there are plenty of projects to choose from, and they’re all easy to make using scrap wood and simple tools. So why not get creative and start building today? Your backyard birds will thank you!