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Let's Feed The Birds!
Click on the pictures above to read quick facts about each.

Sticky Pinecone Bird Feeder
An easy-to-make pinecone bird feeder is a simple project that even young children can help create.

The name "sticky" refers to the resin on the pinecone. As the pinecones are handled, a sticky residue (which is very difficult to remove) is commonly deposited on hands and fingers. Pinecones that have recently dropped from the trees have plenty of fresh resin ready to stick on hands, tables, and clothing.

This project is most adaptable to cooler or cold outside temperatures. If it is too warm, the shortening will melt and mixture fall from the cone.

Supplementing the food supply of our feathery friends is very important during harsh winter conditions to help guarantee their survival. The Iowa Department of Transportation's roadside planting program not only beautifies our roadsides and provides a windbreak for blowing snow, the plantings also serve as a shelter and food source for many different animal species.

 

Place mouse over pinecone image to see what the completed pinecone birdfeeder looks like.

 

Materials you will need for each pinecone feeder:

  • A large, open pinecone
  • Vegetable shortening, lard or suet
  • Oatmeal or corn meal
  • Birdseed
  • A few feet of string, fishing line or twine
  • Mixing bowl
  • Butter knife
  • Spoon
  • Scissors
  • Pie tin, paper plate or cookie sheet
  • ½ cup measuring cup
  • Optional: High-energy bird foods such as dried fruit (cut in small pieces), chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or millet

Making a pinecone bird feeder:

STEP 1:

 Assemble your materials.
Materials
STEP 2:
 Tie a string around the wider, stem end of the pinecone.
STEP 3:
 Mix ½ cup vegetable shortening (or alternative) with ½ cup oatmeal or corn meal in a mixing bowl until well blended. (This amount will cover one large pinecone or two or three smaller ones.)
Pinecone feeder ingredients
STEP 4:
 Thoroughly spread the mixture over the pinecone with a butter knife or back side of a spoon.
Pinecone ingredients
STEP 5:
 Pour the birdseed into a pie tin or on a paper plate or cookie sheet. If you choose, you can add any of the optional high-energy foods to the birdseed. Then roll the pinecone in the birdseed until well covered.
Birdseed in pan
STEP 6:
 Suspend the feeder from a tree branch outside. Completed Pinecone birdfeeder
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(NOTE: The products shown in the photos are for illustrative purposes only. The DOT does not endorse or give preference to one brand over another.)

Helpful Hints:

To keep squirrels from eating the seed...

Try hanging the feeders with monofilament fishing line that is three to four-foot in length
To attract a diverse group of birds... Use a seed mix that is 50 percent black sunflower seeds, 35 percent white proso millet and 15 percent cracked corn. Avoid seed mixes that contain milo (sorghum) and wheat since these seeds are not preferred by most birds.


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