148+ Fine Woodworking ~ My Wood Blog

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Opening: Creating a Simple Wooden Birdhouse Building a birdhouse is a rewarding project that's both fun and beneficial for your local bird population. This step-by-step guide will walk you through creating a simple yet effective wooden birdhouse. No prior woodworking experience is necessary!

Materials and Tools You'll Need

Untreated wood (pine, cedar, or redwood recommended) – approximately 1 board foot

Saw (hand saw, circular saw, or jigsaw)

Drill with various sized drill bits (including a large bit for the entrance hole)

Hammer or nail gun

Nails or screws (exterior grade)

Measuring tape or ruler

Pencil

Sandpaper

Wood glue (optional, but recommended for extra strength)

Safety glasses

Step 1: Cutting the Wood Pieces Using your measuring tape and pencil, mark the following dimensions on your wood. The dimensions may need to be adjusted based on the intended bird species. This design is suitable for wrens, chickadees, and similar small birds:

Front: 6" wide x 8" tall

Back: 6" wide x 10" tall

Sides (2): 6" wide x 7" tall

Bottom: 6" wide x 6" long

Roof (2): 6" wide x 7" long

Carefully cut each piece using your saw. Ensure your cuts are as straight as possible for a better fit.

Step 2: Drilling the Entrance Hole On the front piece, measure 2" down from the top and mark the center. This will be the location of your entrance hole. Use a large drill bit (1 1/2" diameter is suitable for many small birds) to drill the entrance hole. Sand the edges of the hole to prevent splinters.

Step 3: Assembling the Birdhouse Body Apply wood glue (optional) to the edges where the pieces will join. Attach the sides to the bottom piece using nails or screws. Next, attach the front piece to the sides and bottom, followed by the back piece. The back piece should extend 2" above the sides to create an overhang for mounting. Make sure the front piece is positioned so the entrance hole is unobstructed.

Step 4: Attaching the Roof Apply wood glue (optional) to the top edges of the sides, front, and back. Attach the roof pieces so they overhang slightly on all sides. This overhang will help protect the birdhouse from rain. Use nails or screws to secure the roof pieces.

Step 5: Sanding and Finishing Sand all the edges of the birdhouse to remove any sharp corners or splinters. This will make the birdhouse safer for the birds. While painting the birdhouse can make it more aesthetically pleasing, it's generally recommended to leave it unpainted or use only natural, non-toxic stains or paints on the exterior.

Step 6: Mounting the Birdhouse Drill a hole through the overhanging portion of the back piece. This hole will be used to hang the birdhouse. Choose a location that is sheltered from strong winds and direct sunlight, ideally facing east or southeast. Mount the birdhouse securely to a tree, post, or building.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your New Birdhouse! Congratulations! You have successfully built a simple wooden birdhouse. Now, patiently wait and observe as local birds discover and hopefully move into their new home. Remember to clean the birdhouse out annually after nesting season to maintain a healthy environment for future inhabitants.