Hummingbirds are a fan favorite of avid bird watchers due to their spunky personalities and impressive flying tricks (flying upside-down and backward!). But all those tricks require energy and sustenance. To keep the hummingbird show going in your yard, make a DIY hummingbird feeder so the birds can eat up between flights.

Follow our four-step guide on how to make a DIY hummingbird feeder (and homemade nectar) from supplies you probably already have around your house.

How to Make a Mason Jar Hummingbird Feeder

This project comes together quickly with a few simple materials and basic tools.

Supplies Needed:

• 4-ounce Mason jar
• Red plastic office folder
• Pen or marker
• Scissors
• Hole puncher
• ½ cup sugar
• Hanging Mason jar lid

Step 1: Remove the Band and Lid

If your Mason jar has a lid and metal band, set them aside to use with other jars or repurpose them in another craft project.

Step 2: Make New Lid

Hummingbirds are attracted to warm colors and often associate the color red with food. Because of this and to help the feeder stand out from the foliage, many hummingbird feeders are red. Make a red lid to attract hummingbirds from a plastic folder by tracing the original metal lid. Cut the circle out and use a hole puncher to punch four holes in the circle.

Step 3: Make Hummingbird Nectar

Now that you’ve made the feeder, you need to fill it with food for the hummingbirds. To make the nectar at home, boil 2 cups of water and add ½ cup of white sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, and let the mixture cool.

Step 4: Assemble Feeder

Once cooled, pour the nectar into the Mason jar, and insert the plastic circle in the lid with the hanging chain. Screw the lid onto the jar, and hang the feeder from a sturdy branch on a tree or shepherd’s hook.