Bird Friendly Ornament Ideas

Citrus cup hanging feeders: Cut an orange or grapefruit in half and spread with lard. Dip the half into bird seed, so the top is covered and punch three holes evenly spaced around the rim of the orange/grapefruit cup and tie yarn or twine through the holes to form a hanger (in much the same way the wire is formed in hanging flower baskets)

Citrus Slices: This is even easier than the Citrus cups. Slice an orange or grapefruit into thin slices and pierce a hole through the pulp, just below the rind and thread a piece of twine or yarn through it.

Bagel wreaths: This is a good one if you have any stale bagels lying around. Slice the bagels and spread them with lard. Pour bird seed out onto a plate and roll the bagels around on the bird seed making sure to coat it as much as possible. Give the bagel a little shake to loosen any seeds and then tie yarn or twine through the hole of the bagel.

Bread cookie-cutter ornaments: This is a good way to use stale bread, or if using fresh bread, toast it for a short time to harden it up. Using cookie cutters cut shapes from the bread slices and put a small hole in the top for hanging it. Spread a layer of lard on the bread shapes and press into bird seeds just as you did with the bagels. Tie a piece of yarn or twine through the hole in the top.

Pine Cone Bird Feeders: Find some larger pine cones that are stiff and opened. Spread lard in the crevices of the pine cones making sure to be generous with the spread. Roll the pine cones on plates of bird seed being sure to shake off any access seeds. Wrap the end of the cone with twine or yarn.

Birch Bark Shapes: Find some larger pieces of birch bark that are already on the ground. Don’t pull it off of a tree! Trace different star shapes (or any other kind of shape) on to the piece of bark and cut out. Poke a hole in the top of your shape and tie a piece of yarn or twine through the hole.