It's easy to turn a favorite cup into a whimsical bird feeder, and with this hanging teacup bird feeder project, there is no drilling needed to add space and charm to any backyard bird feeding station. Just one of many teacup bird feeder styles, this hanging design is a fun accompaniment to a teapot bird house or to add cheer to any flower garden.

Choose Your Cup

Any type of teacup or coffee mug can be turned into an easy feeder, but to hang the feeder without the need for drilling, a cup with a handle is essential.

The cup can be any material, from porcelain, glass or china to a plastic cup from a child's tea set, making this a great project for reusing toys that have been outgrown. Cups with chips, cracks or stains are also acceptable. A favorite cup from an old tea set is ideal, or shopping at thrift stores can yield a bounty of unique, beautiful cups perfect for bird feeders.

In addition to the cup, choose a coordinating saucer – though it needn't be a perfect match to the cup – to serve as a feeding tray and permit more birds to take advantage of the treats. A slim spoon with a long handle can also be turned into a convenient perch to accommodate even larger birds and add more whimsy to the feeder.

Prepare Your Teacup

Very little preparation is needed for this easy project, but the teacup, saucer and spoon should be cleaned and sanitized with a weak bleach solution. Once the cup and saucer are thoroughly dry, use medium grit sandpaper to roughen the outer wall of the cup opposite the handle, where it will rest on the saucer in a "tipped" setting – the upper wall of the cup will help protect the seed from rain.

Roughen the matching area on the saucer – these rough patches will make the adhesive stick more firmly to keep the feeder together.

A silicone gel adhesive is the easiest and most effective option to connect the feeder, but choose whatever adhesive will work best for the material of the cup and saucer – not all adhesives are equally useful for ceramic, glass, plastic, tin or other materials. Spread the adhesive generously on the roughened edges of the cup and the base of the saucer, then press them together in the proper position with the handle facing straight up and the cup centered on the saucer so it will have the appropriate balance without spilling seed when hung. Hold the pieces together for a minute or two to help the adhesive set, then let the project sit for a full day to dry completely.

If you are adding a spoon to the feeder, a small dab of adhesive on the back of the spoon's bowl is plenty to help it adhere to the saucer next to the teacup with the handle projecting out over the side for a perch. Attach the spoon at the same time as you assemble the rest of the feeder, and allow it to dry.

With no drilling needed, once the adhesive has dried the feeder is ready to use! For a quaint and easy touch it can simply be set on a patio table, stump or rock in a garden and filled with seed for instant use.

Hanging the Feeder

This teacup bird feeder is easy to hang. A simple plant hook is ideal – just loop it through the cup's handle and hang the feeder. A beaded or ornamental hook adds even more elegance, or a simple loop of twine or string can be used for hanging. If the handle is large enough, the feeder can be hung directly from a shepherd's hook or garden hook.

Position the feeder so the open mouth of the cup faces a window or seating area so any visiting birds can easily be seen. This delicate-looking feeder is ideal to add to a flower garden or under a blossoming spring tree, giving the area a charming touch of whimsical culture.

Once hung, add treats to the feeder – birdseed is ideal, but the feeder can also hold small bits of fruit, dried mealworms or other foods for birds.

Cleaning a Hanging Teacup Bird Feeder

All bird feeders need regular cleaning to avoid spreading diseases among visiting birds. First, empty out any discarded seed hulls or other debris, then wipe the cup, saucer and spoon with a damp cloth or rinse the entire feeder with a weak bleach solution. Use an old toothbrush or similar fine scrub brush to clean crevices. Allow the feeder to dry thoroughly before refilling.

Though there are many variations on the teacup bird feeder idea, this simple project for a hanging teacup is an easy and fast design any birder can make to add a cute touch to their bird feeding station.

Photo – Vintage Teacups © nessguide