Repurpose an Egg Carton into a Simple Hummingbird Feeder

Fruit offers essential nutrients that sugar water simply can’t match. Hummingbirds thrive on natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals found in fresh fruits. Fruits like oranges, berries, and melon not only provide energy but also hydration, making them an excellent choice for your feathered friends.

Using fruit can attract a wider variety of hummingbirds than just sugar water. Traditional sugar water feeders require regular maintenance to prevent mold and fermentation. 

With fruit, you’re not only providing a delicious treat, but the natural fermentation process creates a wonderful scent that can bring in birds from far and wide.

What Materials Do You Need for the DIY Egg Carton Feeder?

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Image Credit: The World Traveller/Shutterstock

To create your egg carton hummingbird feeder, you’ll need the following materials:

  1. Egg Carton: Choose a clean, empty carton. Styrofoam or cardboard works well, but cardboard is more eco-friendly.
  2. Fruit: Opt for fruits that hummingbirds love, such as oranges, strawberries, and watermelon. They are sweet, juicy, and perfect for attracting these delightful birds.
  3. String or Twine: This will help you hang your feeder securely.
  4. Scissors: Used for cutting the egg carton and string.
  5. Optional – Red Paint: If you want to attract hummingbirds even more, painting parts of the carton red can help! Hummingbirds are drawn to bright colors, especially red.
  6. Spoon or Small Knife: To scoop out or cut the fruit as needed.

How Do You Create the Feeder from an Egg Carton?

Creating your DIY egg carton hummingbird feeder is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

Prepare the Egg Carton

Start by taking your clean egg carton. If you like, you can paint it red (the inside or the outside) to attract hummingbirds better. Make sure the paint is non-toxic and safe for wildlife!

Cut the Carton

Using scissors, cut the egg carton into individual sections, ideally with two or three cups attached in a row. This will act as the feeding stations for birds.

Add Fruit

Take your choice of fruit and slice it into smaller pieces that will fit into each cup. For example, a half of an orange or watermelon wedge works great! Use a spoon or knife to securely place the fruit into the sections.

Attach String

Cut a piece of string or twine and thread it through the top of the egg carton. Make sure to tie it securely; this will be used for hanging your feeder.

Hang Your Feeder

Find a sunny, sheltered spot in your yard or garden, preferably near flowering plants that already attract hummingbirds. Hang your feeder from a branch or hook.

Monitor and Enjoy

Keep an eye on your feeder, and get ready to enjoy watching the hummingbirds come to visit!

What Fruits Work Best for Your Hummingbird Feeder?

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Image Credit: Taras Garkusha/Shutterstock

Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are excellent choices for your hummingbird feeder. Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are also attractive to hummingbirds, as well as melons like watermelon. 

For larger fruits like apples and pears, make sure to cut them into small pieces so the juicy parts are easily accessible to the hummingbirds.

  • Choose ripe, soft, and sweet fruits to maximize juice content and attract insects.
  • Mix different types of fruits in your feeder to provide variety for hummingbirds.
  • Opt for brightly colored fruits, especially red ones,(ref) to help attract hummingbirds.

How Can You Maintain Your Fruit-Based Hummingbird Feeder?

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Image Credit: Sari ONeal/Shutterstock

Regular cleaning is crucial for maintaining your fruit-based hummingbird feeder. Rinse the egg carton and remove any fruit residue with warm, soapy water at least once a week to prevent mold growth and keep the feeding area hygienic.

Replace the fruit every few days or whenever you notice it looks wilted or spoiled to ensure freshness and continued attraction for the hummingbirds.

Ready to Get Started?

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Image Credit: Elena Chevalier/Shutterstock

Using an egg carton to DIY a hummingbird feeder with fruit they love is not only a creative and sustainable project, but it also offers numerous benefits for both you and the delightful hummingbirds that visit your yard.

So why wait? Gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and start crafting your very own hummingbird feeder today! 

nancy
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.