Oriole Feeder - Jelly Feeder - Bird Feeder - Two Versions

This feeder is specifically for attracting and feeding orioles (although it may attract other birds as well; my feeder has been visited by orioles and houses finches). The feeder has a cup to hold (typically) grape jelly. The cup is removable for cleaning.

My initial design for this used a “short frame" (V06). This version worked, but I found that access to the cup was a bit restricted; for this reason I made a second “long frame” version (V07). Except for the frame length, both versions are otherwise the same. 

Assembly and Use

The feeder consists of these parts :

• Roof + Clip
• Frame
• TopNut
• Perch
• Cup

Start by assembling the Roof, which is printed flat (note : the “roof” shown in the CAD screenshots is a mock-up for illustration purposes). The Roof is a starts as a flat circle with a segment cut out; each edge of the segment has a “hook” on the top side. Bring the two “hooks” together to form a cone shape (with the hooks on top and the cone slanting downward). While holding the two edges together, slide the Clip onto the hooks to fasten the Roof into a cone shape. Note that the Clip has a convex end and a concave end, to match the inner and outer diameters of the Roof.

Edit May 30, 2024 : I recommend gluing the Clip to the Roof after assembly of these two pieces (I used CA glue).

With the Roof assembled, place the Roof over the top screw of the Frame, and fasten in place by screwing on the TopNut. I recommend aligning the Clip on the Roof with the Frame.

The Perch screws onto the bottom screw on the frame (note the proper orientation in the photos).

The Cup screws into the holder built into the bottom of the frame.

Complete the assembly by adding a hanging loop to the top of the Frame, by inserting the ends of a loop of string or wire into the hole in the top of the Frame (I used plastic coated steel wire).

Print Instructions

Print in PETG using the 3mf files provided, otherwise, I used the parameters shown below. PETG is preferable over PLA for outdoor applications.

It is recommended to print the Frame and Roof in orange, as this color attracts orioles. I used transparent PETG for the cup in order to see how much jelly is left  - useful, but not strictly necessary.

TopNut

• 0.2mm layer height
• 3 perimeters
• 0% infill

Roof, Clip

I printed these two pieces separately for maximum strength.

• 0.2mm layer height
• 2 perimeters
• 0% infill

Frame

• 0.2mm layer height
• 3 perimeters
• 15%  Grid infill

Perch

• 0.2mm layer height
• 3 perimeters
• 15%  3D Honeycomb infill

Cup

• 0.2mm layer height
• 2 perimeters
• 25%  Grid infill

CAD

The OnShape 3D CAD files for this are here :

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d85a0b9e8bc6e6bcd3bb1769/w/937b4ef95c51445782b52f7a/e/381d7bf0f7f468cc68a246c0?renderMode=0&uiState=664e8fa60720906980b1788e