Last Updated on May 16, 2023 by ellen
Wondering how to make bird treats? Check out my recipe for wild bird treats that you can make with bird seed for backyard birds.
Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
How to Make Bird Treats
We love making homemade bird treats for the wild birds that visit our feeders. While I have made peanut butter bird treats in the past, these aren’t recommended in warmer months.
It’s too easy for peanut butter to go rancid in hot weather. So, instead of making peanut butter treats, you can make homemade bird treats with glycerin.
Get the recipe for my homemade wild bird treats below.
What can you give birds as a treat?
You can give birds a variety of different things to eat. However, it’s important to consider what is native to your area and what birds are likely to visit your feeders.
In general, you can give birds the following foods:
- Seeds like sunflower seeds
- Nuts
- Berries
- Insects
- Glycerin bird snacks
- Peanut butter treats
- Stale bread
- Birdseed
- Dried fruit
One of the things I love about making glycerin bird treats is that they are easy to make, and you can make various flavors. For example, you can make blueberry glycerin treats, strawberry glycerin treats, or apple glycerin treats.
This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.
What vegetables do wild birds like?
Some vegetables that wild birds like include:
- Corn
- Squash
- Peas
- Potatoes
What types of wild birds visit bird feeders?
The wild birds that visit bird feeders vary depending on where you live. In general, you can expect to see the following types of birds at your feeders:
- Songbirds like sparrows, warblers, and thrushes
- Woodpeckers
- Seed-eating birds like chickadees, titmice, finches, and grosbeaks
- Nuthatches
- Blackbirds and starlings
Materials for wild bird treats
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie cutter
- String, twine, or a pipe cleaner for hanging on trees
- Mixing bowl
- Birdseed
- Gelatin
- Straw to make the hole
DIY instructions
These easy bird snacks are a great idea for spring. You can hang them in your garden or from the trees in your front yard. Or, if you are a city girl, you can hang these wild bird treats outside your window.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange your cookie cutters on the parchment paper.
- Add the water to a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat, and pour the gelatin into the boiling water in a mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved.
- Add the birdseed and mix until it is all coated in the liquid gelatin mixture.
- Spoon the mixture into the cookie cutters
- Add a straw near the top, at least ½ inch from the top for the hole.
- Using the back of the spoon, pack the birdseed down into the cookie cutter.
- Allow it to sit overnight.
- Carefully remove the straws and the cookie cutters. Loop twine through the hole made from the straw, tie in a double knot, then make another double knot near the ends of the twine.
- Hang your homemade treats from tree branches, and enjoy watching the birds peck away!
Let the kids help make these wild bird snacks. They can spread the bird seed in the cookie cutter and press it down. Use a variety of different shapes to make it fun.
Can I make DIY peanut butter bird treats?
You can spread peanut butter on one side of these wild bird treats before hanging them up. The birds and squirrels will appreciate the treat when visiting your garden.
Don’t forget to hang a bird feeder in your garden as well. The birds will love visiting your feeder to eat. Just try to keep the cats away from the area.
How do you make bird treat sticks?
You will need popsicle sticks for this DIY. Just apply honey to your popsicle stick using butter knives or a brush. Then roll it in birdseed. Refrigerate the stick to harden.
Related reading
- Join the Great Backyard Bird Count
- Wild bird feeding tips
- Bird Seed Storage Ideas
- Homemade cat treats with tuna
- Recipes for guinea pig treats
- Can you bathe a guinea pig
- Cleaning a guinea pig cage
- Found a baby blackbird
How to Make Bird Treats
Wondering how to make bird treats? Check out my recipe for wild bird treats that you can make with bird seed for backyard birds.
Materials
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie cutter
- String, twine, or a pipe cleaner for hanging on trees
- Mixing bowl
- Birdseed
- Gelatin
- Straw to make the hole
Tools
- scissors
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange your cookie cutters on the parchment paper.
- Add the water to a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat, and pour the gelatin into the boiling water in a mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved.
- Add the birdseed and mix until it is all coated in the liquid gelatin mixture.
- Spoon the mixture into the cookie cutters
- Add a straw near the top, at least ½ inch from the top for the hole.
- Using the back of the spoon, pack the birdseed down into the cookie cutter.
- Allow it to sit overnight.
- Carefully remove the straws and the cookie cutters. Loop twine through the hole made from the straw, tie in a double knot, then make another double knot near the ends of the twine.
- Hang your homemade treats from tree branches, and enjoy watching the birds peck away!
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.
what are the measurements for everything? water, gelatin, seed – how much of each?
Thanks!
There are no specific quantities. You will need to use on box of unflavored gelatin and as much water as the box instructs. Then add birdfood until it starts to thicken. It depends on the type of birdfood you use.