Shanty Cap Bird Feeder

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Issue 46

The Food Issue

Make a meal to die for
Make wine crate cabinets
Learn to screen print

Shanty Cap Bird Feeder

From hardware-store goods, the stage for a feeding frenzy is fashioned. A duct cap becomes a noshing platform, while a shanty cap makes a protective canopy on these galvanized bird feeders.

Photos by Kritsada

A duct cap and a shanty cap come together as a simple bird feeder.

Prep the pieces

Pair the shanty cap with a duct cap (look for both in the heating and cooling aisle of hardware stores and home centers) or a cake pan. We used a 4-inch shanty cap with an 8-inch duct cap, but you can vary the sizes. Prime and paint the pieces. Let dry.
Assemble the feeder

Don your safety glasses. Use a metal bit to drill a hole in the top center of the shanty cap. Insert an eyebolt through the hole and secure underneath with a nut. If desired, also drill small holes in the bottom of the duct cap or pan to allow for drainage. Glue the bottom of the shanty cap to the inside center of the duct cap or cake pan. Let dry.
Hang

Cut the rope or twine to the desired length, loop it through the eyebolt, and tie a knot to hold it in place. Trim the tail or wire it to the hanging rope. Hang the feeder from a branch. Fill the feeding platform with seed.