How big should I make the backyard bird feeder that I am building?
The size of the backyard bird feeder varies based on the birds that you are trying to feed. A hummingbird feeder will be significantly smaller than one that feeds a crow (not that anyone would like to feed a crow). The size of the feeder should also be proportional with your backyard. There are several different styles of bird feeders that you can create, with some being larger than others as well. The tube feeder is popular for small birds and is usually composed of a PVC pipe that is clear and about 8-12″ long. A pole-mounted hopper feeder is much larger, probably measures about 12″ x 12″. This means you don’t have to fill it as often! A tray feeder also needs to be quite big, but not very deep, as its just a tray that has the bird feed on it (measures around 24″ x 8″ x 3″). Sources: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/backyard/feeder.
The size you build your bird feeder will depend on the type of birds you want to attract, whether you would like to attract certain species in particular (such as hummingbirds) and your natural environment (weather, shelter…). The easiest way to attract birds to your yard is to provide the food they need. Some birds survive on insects while others prefer nectars, fruit, nuts, berries, or seeds. Once you have determined what type of birds you want to attract, you can select the appropriate type of birdfeeder. Check out http://www.squidoo.com/backyardbirdsanctuary www.birdfeeding.org/ has a wealth of information on all aspects of feeders and bird feeding. http://home.howstuffworks.com/bird-feeders.htm is another source of comprehensive information on building the right bird feeder f
