Building the Perfect Birdhouse: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or simply want to create a home for some common neighbourhood birds, this guide will help you decide what type of birdhouse you want to build and how to build it. Be sure to talk to the team at Wood Country Building Services for any assistance you may need.

Researching Size and Location

Before you start building your birdhouse, decide what type of bird you’re hoping to attract. Different species prefer different sizes of houses and locations. Most common birds prefer a medium-sized house hung about two metres (six or seven feet) off the ground. Do your research to find out which species live near you, and choose your favourite type of bird to ensure your house is the correct size. This will also affect the location of your birdhouse, as some birds prefer their homes facing an open space, others prefer dense foliage, and some prefer their houses lower to the ground.

Designing Your Birdhouse

The first step to building your birdhouse is to decide how you want it to look, taking into consideration your skill level. You may be up to the challenge of creating an intricately designed birdhouse, or you may be more comfortable building a basic box-shaped birdhouse. This guide will focus on a simple box-shaped house, but feel free to elevate your birdhouse with a slanted roof or other modifications based on your skill level.

Also, consider the aesthetics of your birdhouse. Do you want to include a perch? Would you like to sand and paint your house? Make a plan first to ensure you stay on track as you are building.

Tools and Materials

• Mitre saw
• Marker
• Ruler or measuring tape
• 1 board of pine or cedar wood, approximately 1’ x 6’
• Drill
• 1½” drill bit
• Waterproof outdoor wood glue
• Clamps
• Optional: Wooden dowel, sandpaper, exterior paint, paintbrush

Cutting the Wood

The first step to preparing your wood is to mark out your desired shapes for the walls, roof, and floor. For a medium box shape, measure and mark out walls approximately 6” x 10”. The roof and floor of your birdhouse should be wood pieces approximately 6” x 7”. Don’t forget to adjust these measurements based on the preferences of the bird you want to attract.

Now, use your mitre saw to cut all wood pieces carefully. Using your hole saw, drill a hole in the centre of the front wall of your birdhouse. This will be the entrance to your birdhouse.

Assembling the House

Now it’s time to glue your birdhouse together. If you prefer a smoother look to your birdhouse, sand down the outside of all wood pieces before gluing. Skip this step if you prefer a more natural look.

Next, select the side walls of your birdhouse and the back wall. Line up the edge of one side with the corresponding edge of the back wall and glue together with outdoor wood glue. Use a clamp to hold the birdhouse together. Repeat this step with the other side wall. Line up the side and back walls, glue them together, and clamp. Keep the clamps on until the birdhouse is completely dry.

Once your birdhouse has dried, repeat the process by attaching the front wall and the floor of your birdhouse using your glue. Clamp together and wait until completely dry.

Finally, attach the roof of your birdhouse using the same method. Your birdhouse is now completely assembled.

If you want a perch on your birdhouse, cut a 3” length of wooden dowel, and glue it to the front of your birdhouse, just under the entrance.

Once all the glue is dry and all your clamps are removed, you can decorate the birdhouse. If you want to paint it, make sure that your paint is waterproof and designed for outdoor use.