Build a Birdhouse in 7 Easy Steps

Buy the Materials. Everything you need is available at home centers. Buy a piece of lumber that’s 1 inch x 8 inches x 8 feet. You can buy a shorter board, but 8 feet long is what’s typically sold at home centers, and it’ll allow you to build two birdhouses. Cedar or redwood work best (we used cedar) since they’re naturally weather-resistant and durable. Make sure the wood is untreated. If cedar or redwood aren’t readily available in your area, pine will also work (although it may not last as long).

You’ll also need 1-1/4 inch galvanized finishing nails, a 1/4-inch-diameter dowel, wood glue, and paint or stain. For tools you’ll need a tape measure, speed square or framing square, saw (a miter saw works best), paint brush, clamps, and a drill with 3/32-inch, 1/4-inch, and 1-1/2-inch spade, Forstner, or holesaw bits.

Cut the Front and Back. The pieces need to be 9 x 7-1/4 inches. Since the board is actually 7-1/4 inch wide (rather than 8 inches), you won’t have to cut that dimension. Once the pieces are cut, make a vertical mark down the center of each. Then make 45-degree miter cuts along the top, from the centerline to the outside edges. If you’re using a miter saw, it’s easy. Just turn the saw to 45 degrees. These pieces are short, so be careful and clamp them to the saw base to keep your helper’s hands clear of the blade. For other saws, mark the 45-degree angles with your square, then make the cuts. Make your marks on the interior side of the wood so they won’t be visible when the project is finished; paint or stain won’t always cover pencil marks.

Then measure and make a mark 1-1/2 inches from each edge along the bottom of both pieces. Make cuts from each mark to where the 45-degree cuts were made at the top. The front and back pieces now represent the shape of the birdhouse.

Cut the Remaining Pieces. Cut the side pieces 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches. The sides will be a little shy of the roof to allow air to circulate. Cut one roof piece 6 x 7-1/4 inches, and the other 5-1/8 x 7-1/4 inches. Since the longer piece overlaps the shorter one, they’ll overhang the birdhouse the same distance. Finally, cut the bottom 5-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches, then make a miter cut on each corner 1/4 inch from each end. Having a gap at each corner gives places for water to run out when you clean the inside. Since the pieces are getting rather small, you can clamp them to a larger board when making the cuts to keep hands clear of the blade.

Drill the Entrance. Measure from the peak of the front piece down 4 inches and make a mark on the vertical centerline that you made in Step 2. This is where you’ll drill a 1-1/2-inch hole for the birds to enter their house. Place a scrap board under the front piece before drilling to prevent splintering when the drill bit breaks through the other side. Clamp the pieces to your work surface before starting to drill.

Assemble the Box. Run a bead of glue along the outside edges of the side pieces. Be careful to avoid applying too much glue so it won’t squeeze out between the joints when the pieces are butted together. Insert the sides between the front and back pieces, making sure to keep the outside edges flush. Drill two 3/32-inch pilot holes at each joint and drive in the finish nails.

Attach the bottom using glue and finish nails. Next, assemble the roof. Be sure the longer piece is placed over the small one (but don’t attach it to the box yet). The glue will hold the joints together, but the nails hold everything in place until the glue dries. Finally, drill a 1/4-inch hole about 1 inch under the entrance hole, and insert a 3-inch piece of dowel with a dap of glue on the end.

Paint or Stain It. Apply a water-based exterior paint or stain. We painted the box tan and the roof red to match the siding and accent colors on our house. Avoid painting the top edges on the front and back pieces, as you’ll be applying glue there.

Finish the Construction. Once the paint is dry, add the roof using glue and nails. To hang the birdhouse from a tree branch or garden hook, screw in two eye hooks along the roof peak. Then use a chain, rope, or wire to hang it.