Bird House
by Ed Horne
Every since I was very young, I’ve loved watching birds. My grandfather built a bird feeder much like a window box that hung below his kitchen window. He then tinted the window so we could see out, but the birds couldn’t see in. I have wonderful memories of watching the birds eat, chirp and play while we sat in the kitchen. To this day, it’s an activity I can enjoy for hours.
So, as you can imagine, I was excited when my four year old asked if we could build a bird house. Of course, my answer was yes! I thought I would share my easy-to-build bird house plans with those of you who might like bird watching as much as I do.
Bird Houses
For this project I purchased the following materials:
(1) 2 x 4 x ½” exterior grade plywood
(1) 6 ½ x ¼” wooden dowel
(6) ¾” galvanized screws
1″ galvanized brads or 3d nails
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Exterior paint
Polyurethane finish
I also got the following tools together:
Black Rhino Mini Coping Saw
Makita Lithium-Ion 18V Hammer Driver-Drill
Black Rhino Tape Measurer
Black Rhino Protractor (Carpenter’s Square)
Paintbrush
MSA Sight Guard Single Lens Safety Goggles
Dust mask
Pencil
You will need to cut the following pieces before assembling your bird house:
Start by drawing two rectangles that measure 6 1/2″ x 8 5/8″. The 6 1/2″ sides will be the top and bottom. On the longer sides, place a mark 5 ¼” from the bottom. At the top, where the bird house will peak, measure the center at 3 ¼” from either side. You can then connect the lines to form diagonals from the center of the top to the 5 ¼” mark on either side.
(2) side pieces measuring 5″ x 6 ½”
(1) floor piece measuring 6 ½” x 6 ¼”
(2) floor attachment rails measuring 5 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/2″
(1) roof piece measuring 6 1/2″ x 9 1/4″
(1) roof piece measuring 6″ x 9 1/4″
To complete the assembly of your bird house follow these easy steps:
Drill a 1 ½” hole in the front panel for birds to enter.
Drill a ¼” hole in which you will later place the wooden dowel to act as a bird perch.
Attach the floor attachment rails to the front and back of the birdhouse (the interior sides) with wood glue and galvanized nails.
Attach the sides to the front and back pieces of the birdhouse using wood glue and galvanized nails.
Attach the 6″ x 9 1/4″ roof piece with wood glue and galvanized nails making sure it aligns with the peak of the roof.
Attach the 6 1/2″ x 9 1/4″ roof piece second with wood glue and galvanized nails making sure it overlaps the first roof piece.
Flip the bird house over and use your screws to secure the floor to the floor attachment rails.
Sand the birdhouse.
Insert the dowel into the pre-drilled hole.
Paint/polyurethane only the outside of your birdhouse if you’d like.
You and your children can really have fun with this simple project. Enjoy watching the birds!
