Pine cone bird seed ornaments are a fun and easy craft to make that also benefit wild birds. Pine cones are readily available in nature and can be decorated with bird seed, peanut butter, and other edible items that birds love. These natural ornaments can then be hung outside for birds to enjoy during the winter when food sources are scarce. Making pine cone bird seed ornaments is a great activity for children and adults alike. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make these nature-inspired crafts.
What You’ll Need
Making pine cone bird seed ornaments requires just a few simple materials:
- Pine cones
- Bird seed – Any type will do but black oil sunflower seeds are preferred by birds
- Peanut butter, lard, or vegetable shortening
- String, yarn, or ribbon
- Scissors
- Plate or wax paper
- Optional: Other edible decorations like dried fruit, birdseed, oats, cornmeal, etc.
Step 1: Gather Pine Cones
First, collect pine cones to use for the ornaments. It’s best to gather them in the fall when they are open and have dropped from trees. Look for pine cones on the ground that are in good condition and not too wet or muddy. The size of the pine cones can vary depending on personal preference and the type of birds you want to attract. Larger pine cones work well for larger birds like cardinals while smaller finches prefer little pine cones.
Step 2: Prepare the Pine Cones
After gathering pine cones, you will need to prepare them to be decorated. Start by removing any debris, bugs, or sap. Then open up the pine cone scales further by gently prying them apart with your fingers or a butter knife.
Make sure the pine cones are fully open so there are plenty of spaces for rolling in birdseed. You can also lightly toast the pine cones in the oven at 200°F for 15 minutes to open them up further.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Mixture
In a small bowl, mix together peanut butter, lard, or vegetable shortening along with some bird seed. The consistency should be thick and sticky enough to thoroughly coat the pine cones. Add more or less peanut butter and seed as needed to achieve the right texture.
If the mixture seems too sticky, stir in a bit of cornmeal or oats to thicken it up. Consider adding a spoonful or two of flour to help harden the peanut butter mixture when it dries for a longer lasting pine cone ornament.
Step 4: Coat the Pine Cones
Now it’s time to coat the pine cones in the peanut butter and bird seed mixture! This messy but fun step is often favorite for kids.
Set out wax paper or a plate for easy rolling. Scoop some of the peanut butter mixture onto a pine cone, using a butter knife or spoon to spread it around evenly. Make sure to get peanut butter into all the cracks and scales of the pine cone.
Next, roll the coated pine cone in a shallow bowl or plate filled with bird seed. Rotate it around so that seed sticks all over. Add more peanut butter and repeat rolling in bird seed until the entire pine cone is covered. Set the finished pine cone ornament on wax paper and continue until all pine cones have been rolled.
Step 5: Add Decorations (Optional)
For extra appeal and nutrition, you can add some optional decorations and food to the pine cones such as:
- Dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, apricots or apples
- Chopped nuts
- Oats
- Cornmeal
- Crushed eggshells
- Chopped millet
- Shredded coconut
Sprinkle or gently press these items into the peanut butter before rolling in bird seed. The options are really endless when it comes to edible decorations!
Step 6: Add Ribbon for Hanging
To hang the pine cone ornaments outside, you need to attach a ribbon, string, or yarn. There are a couple options for securing the hanger:
- Tie ribbon directly to pine cone: Use a sturdy piece of twine or rope. Tie it tightly around the top woody part of the pine cone before coating in peanut butter and seeds.
- Loop ribbon around pine cone handle: Take a 20-inch piece of ribbon, fold in half and knot at the folded end. Place the looped end around the pine cone top before rolling in seed mixture. Pull the ends together to tighten.
Make sure the ribbon, string, or yarn is secured well so your pine cone ornament can hang without falling off.
Step 7: Allow to Dry
After finishing the pine cone ornaments, place them on wax paper in a single layer and allow them to dry completely. Drying time can take 1-3 days depending on humidity levels and thickness of peanut butter coating.
You can also speed up the drying process by placing pine cones on a baking sheet in the oven at 170°F for 30 minutes. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Once the pine cones are dry, they will be ready to hang up!
Where to Hang Pine Cone Bird Feeders
There are many great places to hang pine cone bird seed ornaments to attract wild birds:
- From tree branches
- On fences or posts
- On shepherd hooks or planters
- Between deck railings
- On porches or gazebos
Aim to hang them in sheltered spots out of direct rain or snow. Placing multiple pine cones around your yard is ideal so more birds can feed at once.
Maintenance
Pine cone bird ornaments will need to be replaced once all the seeds and peanut butter have been eaten. This usually takes 1-2 weeks but can vary.
To help them last longer brush off any accumulated snow so birds can access the food. Check pine cones after wet weather to see if they need to be replaced.
It’s also important to take down pine cone ornaments after winter is over so they don’t rot and pose hazards when birds are less reliant on feeders.
Which Birds Like Pine Cones?
Many common backyard birds will be attracted to pine cone bird feeders, including:
Type of Bird | Details |
---|---|
Chickadees | Small songbirds that can cling to pine cones and pick out seeds |
Nuthatches | Able to hang upside down on pine cones |
Cardinals | Larger beaks can break off peanut butter chunks |
Finches | Love small pine cones coated in nyjer seed and peanut butter |
Jays | Will perch on branches and pluck off clumps of peanut butter |
Woodpeckers | Climb pine cone scales to reach embedded nuts and seed |
In addition to the birds listed above, other visitors like squirrels may stop by for a snack as well. Just be sure to hang pine cones away from busy areas if squirrels tend to be a problem.
Benefits of Pine Cone Feeders
There are many advantages to feeding birds with pine cone bird seed ornaments:
- Provide vital food and energy through cold winter
- Give birds nutrients like protein, carbs, and fats
- Attract a variety of bird species to your yard
- Fun, natural craft activity for kids and adults
- Opportunity to learn about local wildlife
- Can be made from free materials collected outdoors
In addition to aiding birds in the winter, pine cone bird feeders can provide enjoyment, education, and outdoor time for the whole family.
Tips for Making Pine Cone Bird Seed Ornaments
Follow these helpful tips when crafting and using pine cone bird feeders:
- Choose pliable peanut butter or shortening so birds can eat it
- Use thin ribbons or string that won’t tangle bird feet
- Roll gently to keep pine cone scales partially open
- Store extra ornaments in an airtight container in the fridge
- Re-coat ornaments with peanut butter and seeds to refresh them
- Scatter loose seeds on the ground under feeders for ground birds
- Position pine cones out of the rain but not under coverings
By following these tips, you can make pine cone ornaments that both you and birds will love!
Fun Variations
For a twist on classic pine cone bird feeders, try these fun variations:
- Use grape jelly or jam instead of peanut butter
- Roll in different seeds like nyjer or millet
- Press colorful dried fruits into the pine cones
- Shape peanut butter into shapes like hearts before rolling in seeds
- Coat pine cones in suet instead of peanut butter
- Sprinkle feeders with cayenne pepper to deter squirrels
- Tie ornaments together into a pine cone wreath
Use your imagination to come up with unique pine cone feeder designs. Switching up the ingredients, seeds, and shapes will attract more species of birds.
Troubleshooting
If you run into any issues with your pine cone crafts and feeders, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Pine cones won’t open up
– Soak in warm water for 15 mins then gently pry apart scales
Peanut butter won’t stick to pine cones
– Add more peanut butter or sticky substance so texture is thicker
Seeds fall off pine cones too quickly
– Ensure peanut butter coats all scales and is clumpy enough
Animals are stealing pine cones
– Hang feeders on high or slippery posts out of reach
Pine cones get moldy or rot
– Replace pine cones after weathering and remove any old ones
Birds don’t seem interested
– Try another location away from feeders or add high-calorie suet
With a few simple adjustments, troubleshooting pine cone feeders is easy. Enjoy the process of crafting them and observing birds up close as they feed!
Conclusion
Pine cone bird seed ornaments are a thoughtful way to supplement wild birds’ diets while bringing fun nature crafts to your home. It’s simple to make these peanut butter and seed creations using materials found right in your own backyard.
Hang these all-natural feeders outside and see how many species of birds they attract during chilly months when food is scarce. Observe chickadees, finches, cardinals, and more as they perch on pine cones and fill up on nourishing treats.
With a little creativity, you can come up with endless pine cone ornament designs to try each season. And remember to coat new pine cones in fresh peanut butter and seeds regularly so your feathered friends have a reliable source of energy all winter long!