How to build a bird feeding table and bird perch

Get creative with your child (or grandchild) with these two simple-to-make bird-friendly DIY projects – a feeding table for feathered friends and somewhere for them to stop and perch.

Installation advice: Both the bird table and bird perch were sunk into the ground alongside each other to a depth of approximately 500mm.

How to build a bird feeding table and bird perch
As seen in kiwigardener

Kid's project › Bird perch

Bird table (one for the grown-ups)

You will need:

Materials:

  • 40mm x 10mm treated timber (approximately 2m)
  • 100mm x 75mm x 1.8m fence post
  • 18mm treated plywood
  • 65mm exterior screws
  • 19mm galvanised flat head nails
  • Ceramic tiles measuring 200mm x 200mm (x 1) and 300mm x 100mm (x 4)
  • Exterior construction glue
  • Exterior grout (ours was coloured dark grey)
  • Exterior PVA glue
  • Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Mariner
  • Resene Quick Dry

Tools:

  • Buckets
  • Clean cloth
  • Clean water
  • Drill with 3mm drill bit (for drilling pilot holes)
  • Hammer
  • Paintbrush
  • Pencil
  • Resene paint stirrer for mixing grout
  • Rubber gloves
  • Sandpaper
  • Saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Set square for marking mitred ends
  • Small squeegee for grouting
  • Sponge
  • Tape measure

Instructions

 

Step 1 - Measure, mark and cut a plywood square Step one
Measure, mark and cut a piece of plywood 500mm x 500mm and smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 2 - Measure, mark and cut four pieces of plywood Step two
Measure, mark and cut four pieces of 40mm x 10mm timber to 500mm and mitre each end at 45 degrees, as shown. Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 3 - attatch around the edges of a plywood square Step three
Attach these around the edges of the plywood square using 19mm nails and PVA glue. Allow the glue to dry.

Step 4 - apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to all surfaces Step four
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to all surfaces of the bird table top and to all sides of the 100mm x 75mm x 1.8m fence post. Allow to dry.

Step 5 - fix the bird table top centrally to the fence post Step five
Fix the bird table top centrally to the fence post with PVA glue and 100mm screws, drilling 3mm pilot holes first. Allow the glue to dry.

Step 6 - Apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl to the bird table Step six
Apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Mariner to the bird table, as shown – there’s no need to paint the centre of the top where the tiles will be.

Step 7 - Fix the tiles into position Step seven
Fix the tiles into position, as shown, using exterior construction glue and allow the glue to dry – it’s best to stand the table upright while the glue dries.

Step 8 - mix and apply grout Step eight
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, mix the grout with clean water and apply to the tiled part of the bird table using a small squeegee and then wipe off any excess grout with a damp sponge. Allow the grout to dry before wiping off any residue with a clean cloth.

Here's another idea - stained bird table Here's another idea
This bird table was made from treated timber and finished off with Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain tinted to Resene Pitch Black.

 

Step 1 - drill nine 10mm holes Step one
Enlist the help of an adult to complete this first step. Carefully drill a series of nine 10mm holes radiating out from the upper end of the garden stake – two holes on each side and one on the top of the stake. Ensure the holes on the side faces are angled upwards at around 45 degrees.

Step 2 - apply Resene Quick Dry Step two
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to the garden stake and allow to dry.

Step 3 - apply Resene Quick Dry to the bamboo canes Step three
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to the bamboo canes and allow to dry.

Step 4 - apply two coats of Resene Turbo to the bamboo canes Step four
Apply two coats of Resene Turbo to the bamboo canes, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Step 5 - apply two coats of Resene Parsley to the garden stake Step five
Apply two coats of Resene Parsley to the garden stake, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Step 6 - push the bamboo canes into the 10mm holes Step six
Push the bamboo canes into the 10mm holes, fixing with a small amount of PVA glue, and allow the glue to dry – you might need an adult to help with this bit.

Completed projects Completed projects
A close-up of the finished birch perch and bird table projects.

Here's another idea - a fun bird house Here's another idea
This fun bird house was made from a wooden wine box and decorated with Resene Coconut Ice, Resene Drop Dead Gorgeous, Resene Happy, Resene Now or Never, Resene Space Cadet, Resene Tropical and Resene Wild Side.

Words and photos by Mark Rayner

 

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