I Turned Old Teacups Into Adorable Bird Feeders – and It Was So Easy to Do

There’s nothing I love more than seeing birds fluttering around my garden (I get more excited than the kids) – but the ante is well and truly up when they're gathering by a teacup suspended from a tree. Whimsical, right?

As a lifelong fan of Alice In Wonderland, I have always had a fondness for anything teatime-related. So, when I stumbled across an unusual tip for attracting birds to a garden that involved upcycling old crockery, you'd best believe I leapt into action.

To test it out, I decided to use a slightly more modern mug that I've not been able to use since I was gifted it for my birthday; it's the most uncomfortable drinking vessel of all time. Honestly, though, it turned out so well that I already have been pleading with elderly relatives to send any and all chipped vintage cups and saucers my way, so I can give my feathered friends their very own Mad Hatter's tea party.

Old Teacups = Cute Bird Feeders

Fancy upcycling your own old teacups into hanging bird feeders? I'm here to tell you that it really couldn’t be easier. There’s no drilling, no specialist tools, and zero crafting skills required.

In fact, if you can melt fat, tie a knot, and wait for something to set, you can make these, and all the birds who visit your garden will thank you for it. What's not to love?

What You Will Need

Other than the aforementioned old teacups, there's not much you need for this; think dripping (beef fat) or suet, bird seeds, a small pan, and something to tie it all together with.

Just take care to avoid teacups with cracks (chips in the rim is fine), as they can weaken once the fat sets and warms again outdoors.

What You Need to Do

Start by gently heating your dripping or suet over low heat. The key here is not to let it reach full liquid form; ideally, you want it just soft enough to stir and move around. (I learned this the hard way when I accidentally burned myself on fully melted dripping; it also took ages to cool!)

Once soft, stir in your chosen seeds until evenly distributed; I decided to give my feathered friends an extra treat in the form of some dried mealworms sprinkled in, too. Then, place your teacup on a flat surface and carefully ladle in the mixture.

Before it fully sets, push the teaspoon into the mixture so the handle sticks out horizontally, creating a perch (otherwise birds will have a very hard time getting at that tasty meal you've set out for them).

Finally, leave the teacup somewhere cool to set completely. This usually takes a few hours, but overnight is ideal (or you could cheat like I did and stick it in the freezer for a bit).

Then, all that's left to do is hang your feeder from a sturdy tree branch – but make sure it is at least five feet off the ground, away from fences or surfaces that predators could use to reach it. That would be a sad end to all your hard work, otherwise.

Of course, if you love the vibe of this feeder but hate the idea of making it yourself, there are plenty of ready-made options you can buy, including this vintage teacup feeder from Etsy.

Teacup bird feeders are ideal for many common backyard birds across the US, particularly species that prefer platform-style feeding rather than clinging feeders. Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, tufted titmice, wrens, and even curious blue jays are all happy to perch and feed from an open cup.

What I love most about turning old teacups into bird feeders, though, is how they blur the line between decoration and conservation. They look like something from a fairy garden, but they’re also practical, nourishing, and made entirely from things that might otherwise have been thrown away.

It’s proof that supporting wildlife doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. I think we can all raise a glass (or a teacup!) to that, can't we?