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A Hunker report describes a low-cost DIY bird feeder made by turning a cleaned, empty paint can on its side, adding a perch and attaching a hanger. The project is inspired by a classroom activity shared by TikTok creator That STEM Guy; the source does not provide testing or evidence for broader claims about wildlife or mental-health benefits.
Hunker has highlighted a DIY bird feeder made from an old, empty paint can, adapting a project shared by TikTok creator That STEM Guy. The basic design turns the can on its side, adds a perch and a hanger, and offers a way to reuse a container instead of buying a purpose-made feeder.
The design shown in the report is deliberately simple: place the can on its side, add birdseed through its opening, and attach a thick twig or dowel that extends a few inches to serve as a perch. A wide ribbon can be glued around the can and formed into a hanging loop. The report also describes alternatives, including wrapping wire around the can or fastening it to a post, fence or board.
Cleaning is the key preparation step. Hunker says warm, soapy water and soaking can loosen paint, while a scouring pad or scraper may help remove dried material. It cautions against harsh chemicals because residue could remain where the seed sits. The report suggests painting the outside after cleaning, with exterior paint or a sealer to reduce peeling. It does not describe the can as safe to use if paint or chemical residue remains.
The source says the classroom project was shared by That STEM Guy, who presented it as an Earth Week STEM activity with students. Hunker also mentions possible variations: a small wood piece to help contain seed, a roof to shield it from rain, or several cans arranged together. These are project suggestions, not reported tests of durability or bird use.
A Low-Cost Way to Reuse a Can
The idea combines reuse and backyard bird feeding in a project that may cost little if a suitable can and materials are already available. It could appeal to households, educators or community groups looking for a hands-on activity, while offering an alternative to discarding an empty container. The actual savings will depend on what materials are on hand; the report does not compare the project’s cost with a store-bought feeder.
Hunker also points to potential benefits from observing birds and from birds eating insects in a yard. Those are presented as possible advantages, not results measured in the report. The practical outcome depends on the feeder’s construction, its placement and whether local birds use it. Reusing a container does not by itself establish that the feeder is safe or suitable for every setting.
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From Classroom Activity to DIY Idea
The source traces the design to a video from That STEM Guy, where a group of students made feeders in a school setting. Hunker describes the project as a straightforward activity involving an old paint can, a ribbon hanger and birdseed. It also says students used All About Birds learning games and watched live nest cameras while paint dried, according to the creator’s post as quoted in the report.
Paint cans vary in size, giving makers options for the dimensions of the feeder. Hunker lists common examples: pint cans measuring just under four inches across, quart cans around 4¼ inches, and gallon cans around 6½ inches. The report says the opening should be large enough for a bird’s head and notes that the perch is attached outside. Those dimensions are background from the article, not a guarantee that a particular can will suit particular bird species.
““Perfect little Earth Week STEM project.””
— That STEM Guy, in the post described by Hunker
Safety and Performance Still Untested
The report does not specify which paint-can materials or coatings are appropriate, how to verify that all residue has been removed, or whether every container used in the project was previously empty. It also gives no testing on whether glued ribbon, a twig perch or other attachments hold up outdoors over time. Makers should not use a can with wet paint, remaining paint residue or an unknown contaminant, and should follow local rules for disposing of paint and cleaning materials.
There is no evidence in the supplied material on which bird species use this design, how well it keeps seed dry, or whether it changes insect numbers or people’s mental health. The roof and seed-retaining piece are suggested modifications, but their effectiveness is not documented. The report also does not give guidance on feeder hygiene, placement or maintenance.
Check the Can Before Filling
Anyone trying the design would need to start with an empty can and clean it thoroughly without harsh chemicals, then check for remaining paint, sharp edges and loose parts before adding seed. The perch and hanger should be firmly attached, and the finished feeder should be inspected regularly for damage and wet or spoiled seed. Hunker’s report describes construction options but does not provide a tested safety standard or maintenance schedule.
The next step for readers is to choose whether to use the basic hanging version or a more secured design, such as a can fastened to a post or board. The source offers no announced follow-up, product testing or evaluation of the classroom project, so its durability and bird-attraction results remain unknown.
Key Questions
How is the paint-can bird feeder made?
Use a clean, empty can on its side, attach a twig or dowel as a perch, and add a ribbon loop or another secure hanger. Put birdseed through the opening only after the can is clean and dry.
Can I use a can that still has paint inside?
The report recommends cleaning out the paint and warns against harsh chemicals that could leave residue. Do not add seed if paint or cleaning-product residue remains; the source does not establish that a partly painted can is safe.
What can hold the feeder in place?
Hunker describes a wide ribbon loop, wire wrapped around the can, or screws fastening it to a post, fence or board. Whichever method is used, the attachment should be stable enough to support the feeder outdoors.
Does the feeder keep rain off the seed?
Not necessarily. Hunker describes adding a roof made from small wood planks as an optional adaptation intended to shield seed, but it provides no test results on weather protection.
Source: rss
