How to build a bird feeding house?

Building a bird feeding house is a fun and rewarding project for bird enthusiasts. A well-built birdhouse provides shelter and a place to nest for wild birds. With some simple tools and materials, you can make an attractive and functional birdhouse that will be appreciated by your feathered friends.

What are the benefits of building a bird feeding house?

There are many great reasons to build a bird feeding house:

• Attract birds – A birdhouse invites birds to visit your yard and take up residence.
• Help birds thrive – Birds need shelter and nesting sites to breed and raise young. Installing birdhouses provides them with secure housing.
• Enjoy nature – Watching birds visit and inhabit your birdhouse is an enjoyable way to connect with nature.
• Unique decor – Decorative and whimsical birdhouses lend visual interest to your garden or yard.
• Learning experience – Building a birdhouse is an educational hands-on project for adults and children.
• Helping birds – Providing birdhouses helps conserve songbirds and other desirable backyard birds.

In addition to attracting birds, putting up birdhouses can help control insects by drawing insect-eating birds to your yard. Birdhouses also make great gifts for fellow birding enthusiasts.

Where should I place the bird feeding house?

Proper placement of your birdhouse is important to attract birds and keep them safe. Here are some tips on where to locate your birdhouse:

• Install the house at least 5 feet off the ground on a pole or mounted under the eaves of a building. This helps deter predators.
• Face the entrance hole away from prevailing winds and rains. Facing it towards the southeast is ideal.
• Place within 100 feet of trees, shrubs or other landscaping to provide birds shelter and things to perch on.
• Choose a partially sunny spot so the interior doesn’t get too hot in summer.
• Avoid areas near feeders to prevent bullying birds from taking over the birdhouse.

Make sure to place multiple houses at least 20-30 feet apart to minimize competition and fighting between territorial birds.

What are the necessary tools and materials?

Building a basic birdhouse is relatively easy and only requires a few common tools and materials. Here is what you’ll need:

Tools

• Hand saw or miter saw
• Drill and drill bits
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Safety gear – gloves, eye protection, etc

Materials

• 3/4 inch thick untreated wood – cedar, pine or fir. Avoid treated lumber.
• 1/4 inch thick wood for perch
• Wood glue
• Galvanized finishing nails or exterior wood screws
• Small hinges or eye screws if using a pivoting front
• Wood stain, paint or preservative (optional)

The specific dimensions and amount of materials depends on the size and style of the birdhouse you build. A basic single birdhouse uses about 1/4 sheet of 3/4 inch thick wood.

What are the steps for constructing a bird feeding house?

Follow these basic steps to build a simple birdhouse:

1. Cut out birdhouse pieces – Use the saw to cut pieces for the front, back, sides, floor, and roof out of 3/4 inch wood according to dimensions.
2. Drill entrance hole – On the front piece, drill a 1 -1 1/2 inch diameter hole about 5 inches above the floor. The hole size varies based on the bird species.
3. Assemble box structure – Attach the sides and back to the floor using glue and nails/screws. Then attach the front piece so the entrance hole aligns.
4. Add roof – Cut a sloped roof or flat roof and attach it to the top of the walls using glue and nails/screws.
5. Install perch – Drill small holes and attach a perch below the entrance using nails or screws.
6. Finish exterior – Sand, stain, paint or use preservative to protect and decorate the outside.
7. Mount birdhouse – Add hinges, eye screws, bracket or pole for mounting the finished bird feeder.

Optional steps include adding decorative elements, ventilation holes, predator guards below the entrance, and cleaning/drainage access.

What size entrance hole should I drill?

The appropriate entrance hole size depends on the species of bird you want to attract. Here are some common hole diameters to use:

The hole size should be tailored to the species you want to attract. Bookmark a birdhouse hole diameter chart for reference.

What are the ideal birdhouse dimensions?

In addition to the entrance hole size, the interior dimensions are important for the comfort and safety of nesting birds. Follow these guidelines:

• Floor – 4×4 inches up to 6×6 inches
• Wall height – 6 to 12 inches
• Depth – 6 to 8 inches from front to back
• Hanging height – 5 to 15 feet above ground

The dimensions can vary based on the specific species you want to attract. Larger birds like Robins require bigger dimensions. Refer to a birdhouse dimension chart to tailor your house to certain bird species.

What maintenance does a birdhouse require?

Regular maintenance is important for the health and safety of birds using your birdhouse. Here are some maintenance tips:

• Clean the birdhouse at least once per year after baby birds have fledged by removing old nests and debris. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to prevent disease exposure when cleaning.
• Use a gentle disinfectant and scrub brush to clean the interior, emptying out any materials through the entrance hole.
• Make any necessary repairs like fixing holes or gaps that could make the shelter vulnerable. Check for exterior damage or weathering.
• Monitor for pests like parasites, ants or bees that may invade the birdhouse and remove any nests in the house.
• Re-stain or apply preservative annually to protect the exterior from rotting, mold and deterioration.

Following these maintenance tips will give birds a safe, sanitary place to nest year after year.

What design options can I add?

Simple rectangular birdhouses are easy to build, but you can get creative with the design. Some options to consider include:

• Pitched roof – Sloped roofs offer better rain protection and often look more decorative.
• Ventilation holes – Adding small holes under the roofline improves air circulation.
• Overhangs – An overhanging roof and wide sides prevents driving rain from getting inside.
• Predator guard – Attach a metal guard below the entrance hole to keep out squirrels and other predators.
• Perches – Extra perches on the outside offers birds a place to land and rest.
• Twin houses – Building two houses together accommodates species that nest in colonies.
• Decorative paint or stain – Get creative with paint and stain colors to match your house or garden style.

Add personal flair and visual interest by incorporating unique design features. But avoid elaborate embellishments that could provide perches for predators.

What common mistakes should I avoid?

When building your first birdhouse, steer clear of these common beginner mistakes:

• Using treated lumber with chemicals that could be toxic to birds.
• Making the hole too big which can allow predators to enter or make the house unsafe.
• Forgetting drainage or ventilation leading to wet, unhealthy conditions.
• Using metal fasteners which can rust and weaken the structure over time.
• Placing too close to bushes where cats can hide and pounce.
• Mounting too low making it easier for predators to raid.
• Not cleaning yearly allowing parasites and disease to accumulate.
• Painting or staining the interior restricting ventilation.

Learning proper birdhouse construction techniques and placement will help you avoid common pitfalls. Having appropriate dimensions and hole sizes is also key for attracting your desired species.

How much does it cost to build a birdhouse?

One of the benefits of a DIY birdhouse is that materials are quite inexpensive. Here are typical costs:

• Wood – About $10 to $20 for one sheet of 3/4 inch thick untreated wood which is enough to build 1-2 houses.
• Hardware – Around $5 for fasteners like screws and nails, hinges, eye hooks, etc.
• Paint/stain/preservative – $10 to $20 depending on type and how much is needed.
• Tools – $0 if you already own basic tools, up to $50 if you need to purchase saws, drills, etc.

Altogether, expect to spend around $25 to $50 on materials to construct a single basic birdhouse. Precision-cut birdhouse kits are available for convenience but cost slightly more in the $40 to $80 range.

Advanced multi-chamber bird condos and decorative designer birdhouses can cost $100 to $200. But simple DIY houses are quite affordable to build.

Conclusion

Building your own birdhouse is a straightforward project that can be completed in an afternoon with minimal tools and materials. Follow basic construction guidelines for appropriate dimensions, hole sizes, ventilation, and placement to create a safe shelter. Add creative touches to suit your yard’s decor. Then enjoy watching feathered friends take up residence in the birdhouses you built!