Make a Hummingbird Feeder with Mason Jars

Make your own hummingbird feeder using small mason jars. These feeders are simple to make, loved by hummingbirds, and easy to clean.

The recipe for making sugar water is here.

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DIY Hummingbird Feeder

I like to try a lot of different bird feeders to see which ones work best both for the birds and to clean.

This project starts with a simple jar feeder.

If you just get one hummingbird at a time in your garden, the simple single feeder may be all you need.

I get competing singles so I like to have a few small feeders spread out throughout the garden to minimize territorial battles.

If you live somewhere where they feed in flocks, provide a bunch of jars together for a communal feeding station.

Why Mason Jar Feeders Are Recommended

• Very easy to clean
• Inexpensive
• Use a low volume of sugar water (to avoid spoilage)
• The hummingbirds like them
• But it’s not so easy for other critters like squirrels to drink from them

On the downside, because they have larger openings on the lids than regular hummingbird feeders, some flying insects may get in the sugar water.

I still use them because it doesn’t happen too often here, but keep this in mind if your garden is buggier.

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How to Make a Mason Jar Hummingbird Feeder

Supplies and Materials

The three main supplies are small mason jars, red daisy lids, and something to hang the feeder.

Before getting the red daisy lids, I tried drilling holes in plain mason jar canning lids but that created sharp edges that would be unsafe for the birds, so it’s worthwhile to order the red daisy lids instead.

Hummingbirds find food sources by sight. The color red is attractive to them so be sure to use red lids but never use red sugar water as food coloring is not good for them.

I’ve listed the specific supplies below for each type of feeder.

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1Single Hanging Mason Jar Hummingbird Feeder

For each feeder you will need:

• One mason jar
• One daisy lid
• One (or more) chains with hook latch
• If you have a dollar store nearby, check the garden section for hooks and chains used to suspend small hanging baskets.

Assembly

• Attach the chain using existing holes in the daisy lid.
• You could also suspend several single jars from a piece of pipe or a small branch to form a nice row of feeders.

Tip: Use a Hummingbird Moat to Keep Ants Away

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2Multi-Feeder with Eye Bolt

• Several mason jars with daisy lids
• Eye bolt with two nuts | 5/16 x 8-inch
• Thick plastic plate (red) with drainage holes

Assembly

• If plate isn’t really sturdy, use two or more
• Drill drainage holes in plate(s)
• Drill 5/16-inch hole in middle of plate for eye bolt
• Secure eye bolt in place using one nut on either side of plate(s)

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3Multi-Feeder with Chains

• Several mason jars with daisy lids
• Thick plastic plate (red)
• Chains with hooks (3) for hanging

Assembly

• Drill drainage holes in plate plus 3 holes in lip (equal distance apart) for attaching chain latches.
• Use more than one plate if one alone is not very sturdy.

For more tips like this see 10 Surprisingly Good Dollar Store Finds for Gardeners.

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Hummingbird Feeder Care

Sugar Water

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• The recommended recipe for sugar water is 1-part granular sugar and 4 parts boiled water. Dissolve sugar thoroughly and allow to cool before filling jars.
• Store leftover sugar water in lidded jar in refrigerator for 5 days maximum It spoils fairly fast so it’s better to make small batches more often.

Feeder Health

• Change your sugar water frequently to avoid mold and spoilage. The hotter the weather, the more often it needs changing.
• Wash feeders in hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly.
• Disinfect with 1-part bleach and 9-parts water for at least one minute. Rinse and dry thoroughly before (re)use.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛