This DIY birdhouse, or more appropriately wren nesting house, is simple to make and can be extremely inexpensive. In fact, I prefer to make mine out of 5/8 in. x 5-1/2 in. x 6 ft. western red cedar dog-ear fence pickets which you can get at HomeDepot for just over $3! Though, due to the long time it takes cedar to outgas, you may want to instead use a standard 1 x 6 x 8 for a few dollars more. The scent of cedar may be something you and I enjoy, but songbirds typically avoid nesting in the cavities of cedar trees due to the scent of the wood. By all means, avoid any pressure treated woods as these are toxic to birds.
The construction of this DIY birdhouse is really simple, and you only need a few basic tools:
- a saw (handsaw, circular saw, table saw, or miter saw will do)
- a drill with a few select drill bits, including a 1″ spade, hole, or forstner bit
- a hammer (or nail gun, preferably a finishing nailer)
- exterior wood glue is also optional
To begin this DIY birdhouse project you only need to make five simple cuts, which are outlined in the image below. This will provide you the top, bottom, two sides, front and back. All from one piece of wood about 55 1/4″ long.
Once you have those pieces ready, you’ll want to find the piece which is 9 1/4″ long on both sides, this is the front, so that you can drill the hole. This hole should be 1 1/8″ in size, and should be centered on the board, between 1 and 2″ from the top of the board. You should also drill four small holes, about 1/4″ each, in the floor of the birdhouse (the 4″ piece) for drainage and air circulation. Alternatively, you can clip the corners of the piece off about 1/2 – 3/4″ in from each side.
Now you are ready for assembly. Start by putting the floor onto the back, which is the 15″ piece. Nail it in about 1″ up from the bottom, ensuring it is centered on the back (approximately 3/4″ in from each side). Next, nail in just one side, then the front with the hole at the top, then the roof. This should leave just one side left. For this side, you want to leave a very small gap from the roof, and only put one nail on each side about an inch down from the top. Make certain these nails are exactly in line with each other, as they will serve as pivot points for the side door so that you can open it and clean it out in between seasons. Lastly, drill a small hole, slightly bigger than the size of your nails, through the front of the birdhouse and into the side which pivots. This hole should allow you to easily push a nail in by hand, and also pull it out by hand, Essentially this is the lock that prevents the side from opening accidentally.
Optionally, you can add a perch about an inch below the hole. This can be as simple as an exterior screw, or a piece of a dowel glued into a pre-drilled hole.
That’s it, now all you have to do is hang your birdhouse and enjoy!
Download the quick summary birdhouse instructions for print.
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