How To Build A Birdhouse

Here is a simple bird house plan:

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Materials
  • One Piece, 1 x 6 pine board @ 48"
  • 1/4 pound, Galvenized Wood Screws @ 1 5/8"
  • Two, 1 5/8" galvenized nails; One, dual-head 10-penny nail
  • Sandpaper
  • Exterior Wood Filler
  • Exterior paint or polyurethane

Step 1: Cut the Pieces to Size - Select the 1 x 6 (5 1/2") x 48"

  • Crosscut the six pieces and mark them as shown above

Step 2: Drill Holes - Select the Front, Back, two Sides, and the Bottom:

  • Front - Drill 1 1/8" hole (for small birds) 1" down from the edge as shown above
  • Back - Drill 1/4" hole, centered, 1" down from the edge for hanging, as shown above
  • Sides - Drill 1/4" Air Holes near the top edge, as shown above
  • Bottom - Drill 1/4" Drain Holes, as shown above

Step 3: Assemble Part of the Birdhouse - Select the Back, Right Side, and Bottom pieces

  • Front - Pre-drill and screw the Back, Right Side, and the Front to the Bottom, as shown above

Step 4: Complete the Assembly - Select the Roof and the Left Side

  • Attach the Roof, as shown above
  • Attach the Left Side at the top with a hinge or two nails to allow the side to swing out for cleaning, as shown above
  • At the lower left corner of the Front, drill a 1/8" hole through the Front into the Side to allow a Locking Pin (Double-headed Nail) to be inserted, as shown above
  • Partially attach a screw for a perch below the bird opening
  • Use a Finishing Sander to sand all exterior edges
  • Use exterior paint or poly and finish the Exterior Only (Note: Leave the interior unfinished)

Copyright 2013 - Wayne Murray

If you are a member of a non-profit organization and have any requests or suggestions regarding projects for your group, you can send Rod an email at: rodneyg@cheqnet.net