Pagoda Lantern Bird Feeder — Hexagonal Hopper

Japanese Pagoda Lantern Bird Feeder

A hexagonal hopper-style bird feeder shaped like a traditional Japanese stone lantern (tōrō). Two snap-fit pieces, both print without supports, and the whole thing builds into a substantial garden centerpiece — roughly 22 cm wide at the perches and 27 cm tall once assembled.

✨ Features

• Tōrō-inspired silhouette — tiered hex pagoda roof with double cornice flares, an ornamental bulb, and a tapered spike finial
• Six perches, one at each hex corner — sized for typical songbirds (finches, chickadees, sparrows, cardinals)
• Six gothic-arched dispensing windows — seed self-replenishes through them as birds eat
• Solid auto-dispensing cone inside the hopper — gravity-fed, no mechanism, no jams
• Snap-fit cap for refilling — twists on, stays seated, lifts off cleanly
• Integrated hanging hole through the finial spike — fits paracord, jute twine, or thin wire
• Zero supports anywhere — both pieces print straight up off the build plate

📐 Dimensions

🖨️ Print Settings

• Material: PLA works fine for sheltered locations. PETG or ASA recommended for full UV/weather resistance year-round.
• Layer height: 0.2 mm
• Walls: 3 perimeters
• Infill: 15–20% (gyroid or grid)
• Supports: None. Print both pieces as-oriented — body floor-down, cap base-down.
• Brim: Optional. The body has a wide hex tray footprint and adheres fine without one; add a 5 mm brim for the cap if you're worried.

Estimated print time on a Bambu P1S / X1C with 0.4 mm nozzle: body ~7 hrs, cap ~4 hrs.

🔧 Assembly

1. Press the cap straight down onto the body's collar — you'll feel a soft click as the snap bead engages the groove.
2. Twist gently to confirm it's seated all the way around.
3. To refill: lift the cap straight off, pour seed into the hopper from the top, snap the cap back on.
4. Thread cordage through the finial hole and hang from a sturdy branch, hook, or shepherd's crook.

🐦 Care & Use

• Empty and brush out monthly to keep seed fresh and prevent mold.
• Use mixed seed, sunflower hearts, or millet — anything that flows freely (avoid suet or whole peanuts).
• The hex tray below the windows catches dropped shells; tip and brush off periodically.
• A spray of clear UV-protectant (Krylon UV-Resistant Clear, etc.) significantly extends outdoor life on PLA prints.
• For squirrel resistance: hang from a baffled pole, or from a branch with at least 3 m of clearance from any climbable surface.

📦 What's in the file

• pagoda_feeder_body.stl — the hopper, tray, perches, and snap-fit collar
• pagoda_feeder_cap.stl — the pagoda roof, finial, and snap-fit lid

Both are pre-oriented for printing. Just drop them onto the plate.