From what you can make a beautiful birdhouse. Do-it-yourself birdhouse: how to make a reliable and comfortable house for birds (61 photos). What to make a birdhouse

27.06.2021

When springtime approaches, it becomes necessary to build such a decorative element for the garden as birdhouses for birds. Although there is still time before spring, you can pre-make several different options for household items such as a decorative bird house. Any gardener knows that birds in the garden can only bring joy to members of this family. But how will you meet them? Do you know for sure that the birds will settle in your country house?

If you are not sure, then we get to work. Today we will consider how to make a birdhouse with our own hands correctly, what materials should be taken in order to make such a bird house, as in the photo. In addition, we will further consider the drawing of a birdhouse, with which you can build a birdhouse with your own hands in your country house.

First, it is worth dwelling on the choice of materials for the manufacture of such a building. The best choice is natural material. It can be made from such a natural material as stone, in which case you will get an original birdhouse, or from dry boards - this is a classic. But the use of a material like cardboard is also in demand.

What kind of wood is better to choose for making a birdhouse? It is advisable to opt for birch or oak. The board should be about 18 mm thick so that the do-it-yourself birdhouse retains heat perfectly. You can also make it from improvised materials, for example, a plastic container. Using improvised materials like plastic containers is convenient and economical. Making such a house is always a joy. To do this, an incision is made in a plastic container through which the birds can enter their homes.

An important point: it is very undesirable to use pressed or glued varieties of trees like chipboard and others for the manufacture of a birdhouse, since these materials are short-lived. No need to decorate the birdhouse with some shiny objects, since it will be uncomfortable in such a house, and it will resemble a scarecrow on appearance.

Stages of making a birdhouse

Take into account the moment that for birds there is no need to build a birdhouse, which is quite large. If you decide to build such a large project, then there will be about 5 chicks, but their parents will not be able to feed them. This means that you will have few offspring. If the size of the building is small, then only a few chicks will breed in it, however, they will turn out to be healthy.

Consider the tools that come in handy in order to build a cardboard feeder project:

Ruler and pencil;
nails;
a hammer;
hacksaw;
drill.

wooden birdhouse

In the photo you can see a drawing of a birdhouse - this is a classic project. Clearly, this is the simplest project, but not the only option for a cardboard feeder. There are many manufacturing technologies. Next, you can look at another project.

Consider how to make a birdhouse with your own hands:

Frame manufacturing

When building with this technology, it must be taken into account that this project does not have a removable cover. This means that such a design is not comfortable if you want to clean the birdhouse every year before the arrival of the birds. To change the project and make the frame removable, we nail a sleeve to the bottom of the feeder, which has the same dimensions as the base, through which the frame will hold perfectly.

When making a removable roof, you need to take care of the technology and nuances, for example, so that the roof is not blown away by the wind or another bird is not knocked down. Among the simplest technology is screwing the lid to the house with a wire. Technologies like a flat roof with a small slope are also popular. Technology from a gable design is not recommended, since the house will leak faster than with conventional birdhouse technology.

Fixing the base and walls

With the help of screws we fix the base and walls of the house. To the rear area of the wall we fill the bar that is attached to the pole. The dimensions of the structure are small, so there should not be any difficulties with its manufacture.

If you wondered how to make a birdhouse, then you should remember the following important points:

the entire height of the structure should be about 32 centimeters;
the dimensions of the base of the birdhouse are mainly made 9 by 9 centimeters;
the hole for the door should be with a diameter of approximately 35 mm.

Beautiful bird house

An important point: the required door diameter varies depending on the type of bird. For tits, it reaches about 23 mm, for sparrows, about 28 mm, for nuthatches, about 29 mm.

Assembling the house

We cut the boards and start assembling the house. The front wall of the birdhouse is attached to the side screws. We fix the back area and the base. We fix the removable roof at the end. We install any type of perch in front of the door at our discretion.

We fasten the sleeve to the frame of our birdhouse, we decided in this embodiment to make a removable roof for further possibility to clean it. Despite this, it must be wrapped with wire or screwed with screws for strength.

A small bird house must be knocked down very tightly. It is better to coat all holes with clay or caulk with tow. Nails and rather sharp edges that are split should not be left sticking out in the birdhouse so that the birds do not get hurt. It is better not to tint the birdhouse, you just need to process it with drying oil. If you still decide to paint, then it is better to use oil paint of any shade.

If you still did not know how to make a birdhouse with your own hands, now it has become clear to you. At the same time, the process of making such a house is very exciting and quite useful.

Owners of summer cottages know that it can be difficult to cope with insects on their own. Much better and faster this problem can be solved with the help of starlings. But in order for them to live in the right territory, you need to take care in advance and make several birdhouses. By the way, not everyone knows that not only starlings, but also other birds can live in such structures. Therefore, you will learn how to create a simple birdhouse with your own hands right now.

Do-it-yourself birdhouse: step by step instructions

Making a birdhouse with your own hands is actually not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. In addition, there are many different variations, so even a beginner can handle this job.

In this case, we need:

good quality boards
hacksaw or jigsaw;
thin nails;
a hammer;
roulette;
odorless paint;
pliers;
brush;
pencil.

First of all, we recommend paying special attention to the choice of wood. It is best to use hardwood boards. For example, alder, birch or aspen. The rest have some drawbacks. Conifers emit resin, due to which the inside of the birdhouse becomes sticky over time. In turn, sheets of chipboard or fiberboard emit toxic substances, which is unsafe for birds. In addition, these sheets have poor wear resistance and can deteriorate literally after the first rain. Such a popular plywood has low sound and heat insulation. Therefore, such products are definitely not suitable for the cold season.

The next step is drawing up a drawing. To begin with, we recommend making a small sketch in order to understand what kind of birdhouse you want to get as a result. After that, we make a drawing with notes of parts and all sizes. This is especially important if you plan to make multiple items.

We transfer the schemes to wood blanks. The result should be two side walls, one back and one front, as well as a bottom and a lid.

It is also very important to make the perch the optimal length. If desired, you can use a wooden stick instead. We proceed to cutting out each blank in accordance with the markup.

In the front wall we make a hole no more than 5 cm. To do this, it is better to use an electric drill or a jigsaw.

We carefully connect the front wall with the two side walls using nails. Depending on the size of the birdhouse, there will be a different number of them. But in this case, we fix the details on the sides and in the center. At this stage, we check the structure for strength and, if necessary, make additional fasteners.

In the same way, we attach the back wall and bottom to the main structure. We also check the finished product for strength and additionally fix it with a few more nails.

The next step is to work with the roof. Remember that it must be removable. This is necessary in order to be able to periodically clean the inside. It is also very important that the edges extend beyond the entire structure. Thus, the birdhouse will be protected from water.

In this case, the roof consists of two parts. The main part has a protective function, and the inner part allows you to keep it in place. For a more secure fixation, they are connected with several nails.

And of course, it is very important to install a bird perch. A beautiful and practical birdhouse is ready!

Birdhouse from improvised materials

Of course, there are situations when a birdhouse needs to be done as soon as possible. In this case, even improvised materials are suitable. But you need to understand that such a product will not be durable and reliable. Therefore, it is better to replace it with a stronger structure as soon as possible.

Nevertheless, we propose to figure out how to make a birdhouse out of cardboard and what you need for this. Among the required materials:

thick corrugated cardboard;
plain paper;
scissors;
twine;
pencil;
self-adhesive paper;
starch;
compass;
ruler.

On plain paper, we make the markup of the future design. We transfer the scheme to corrugated cardboard and cut out all the details in duplicate.

We cook the paste using ordinary starch. In this case, you should not use simple glue, as it scares away birds with its pungent odor. Then we glue the parts in pairs so that they are more durable. In the front part we make a hole for the birds. In the back wall we make several small holes for the twine. This is necessary so that the birdhouse can be tied to a tree.

We continue to glue together all the parts and leave the structure to dry completely.

We prepare the roof from two parts of corrugated cardboard.

We glue the birdhouse with laminated paper for greater reliability and, if desired, decorate it.

Also, if necessary, you can make a birdhouse using simple plastic bottles. Of course, such a product is not suitable for the life of birds, but it will be an excellent feeder.

Using a knife or scissors, simply cut small holes. It is better to glue the edges with adhesive tape or adhesive tape so that the birds do not get hurt. If you want to insulate the structure a little, then you can wrap it with felt and secure it with tape. Pour straw and feed on the bottom. It is better to fix it with a wire.

Birdhouse: do-it-yourself original ideas

Of course, there are many different options for such products. Most often they are made of wood, plastic and metal. It is believed that such birdhouses are the most reliable and durable. However, there are other, more unusual options. For example, from cardboard, plastic bottles and even from a milk bag. But still we do not recommend making too simple and shaky designs. After all, first of all, you should think about the birds, their safety and comfort.

Birds are orderlies not only of the forest, but also of the garden. Every summer resident knows this, in which fruit trees and shrubs grow on the site. All year round, birds not only delight the ear with their singing, but also help gardeners in their hard work of protecting trees from pests, destroying small insects and feasting on their larvae. To attract birds, feeders are hung on trees and volunteers are fed in the cold winter season, when it is not so easy to find "prey", and they also arrange a home for them. A solid wooden house will appeal to any bird, in which she can not only live and hide from the weather, but also breed.

Nuances that are important to know before you get started

As is clear, the most best birdhouse- made of natural materials, in the sense of wood. Some craftsmen make houses from cardboard boxes or plastic bottles, however, this is not the same at all. In the first case, the dwelling will be temporary and will last one season if it does not get wet earlier in the rain. Plastic containers are more suitable for manufacturing, besides, there is no question of their naturalness. It will scare away birds and the smell of chipboard or plywood, the latter is also too thin and the house will be cold.

For a bird house, it is worth using hardwood boards, but in no case coniferous ones - they contain resin that will stick to the plumage, which is fraught with the health of birds. The thickness of the boards should be at least 20 mm so that they retain the heat needed by the chicks.

Planing boards, achieving their perfect smoothness, is not necessary. A rough surface, especially inside the birdhouse and under the entrance, will help the birds get inside and move around without difficulty.

We make a birdhouse step by step

First of all, you should draw up drawings of the future home. This will facilitate the process of manufacturing blanks and make them even, so that in the future there are no gaps between the walls.

Birdhouses can be of different sizes and shapes - it all depends on which birds will live in it. Too spacious "apartments" do not need to be made, because the bird family is small and the young can freeze or grow weak. The standard dimensions of the house are approximately as follows:

bottom width - 15 cm;
birdhouse height - up to 30 cm;
roof - approximately 20x24 cm;
the diameter of the protrusion (notch) - no more than 5 cm.

It is better that the back wall is a couple of centimeters lower than the front panel - such a slope is necessary for water to drain. Accordingly, then on the side walls the upper cut will go obliquely. The roof should protrude a little, so its dimensions are somewhat larger than the bottom.

Now you can get to work:

Transfer the drawing with a pencil to the boards.
Cut out all the details.
Trim the outer surface of the blanks.
In the front panel, cut out the “entrance” in the form of a circle.
Assemble the birdhouse in the following order: facade, side walls, bottom, back wall, roof, notch. All parts must fit snugly together. It is better to fix them on self-tapping screws or nails.

It remains to attach a fastener in the form of a bar on the back wall to the birdhouse and install it on a tree, wrapping it well with wire. Do not paint - the smell of paint will scare away the birds.

One of the conditions for a rich harvest in the garden or in the garden is the fight against numerous arthropod pests. Using insecticides for these purposes is harmful to your health nature. It is better to “entrust” this task to the birds - they become indispensable assistants in this matter.

But to hope that the birds themselves will fly to your site is short-sighted. A more reasonable solution would be to organize the conditions for the birds to settle directly next to a person. And for this it is necessary to attract them to the site with ready-made “comfortable housing”. A do-it-yourself birdhouse for birds, equipped in accordance with all the rules, will be a good prerequisite for the birds to choose a site for permanent residence. And the family that settled in it will do an excellent job with garden pests, collecting them from plants and even extracting them from the soil.

Yes, and just such a neighborhood with wildlife cannot but benefit, and especially brings a lot of joy to the children. So it makes sense to roll up your sleeves.

What material to choose for a birdhouse?

When starting to build a birdhouse, it is necessary to take into account some nuances when choosing a material for these purposes. Therefore, to begin with, you should consider various options, weigh their advantages and disadvantages.

natural wood- This is the ideal material for a birdhouse. It is easy to work with it, it is environmentally friendly, natural warmth, and most importantly, it is natural for the habitat of the vast majority of birds. However, there are also important nuances. So, for the construction of bird housing, it is worth choosing a board made of hardwood.

The ideal material for a birdhouse is a hardwood board, best of all linden or aspen. Softwood lumber - not welcome

The trouble is that coniferous boards can eventually begin to release resinous substances, especially in the spring, with the onset of heat. And this is not only a pungent smell, sometimes scaring away some birds. Resin may well stick to the plumage, and sometimes it even causes the death of birds.

, chipboard and plywood is a bad choice. Such wood-based composite materials have a layered structure and therefore do not have the proper resistance to the combined effects of moisture, direct sunlight and temperature extremes. Thus, the adhesive used when joining chips, chips or veneer sheets may not withstand winter frosts, so microcracks quickly appear at the ends of the material. Over time, for example, during a thaw, water will penetrate into them, which, upon subsequent freezing, increases in volume, which leads to further stratification of the material. For a long time in the conditions of the street, such a design will not last, even if the birdhouse is painted.

Wood composite materials are easy to use, but short-lived and unsafe for birds. Neither the picture shows the delaminated walls of a birdhouse made of chipboard and plywood. It is unlikely that such a house will attract birds

In addition, all these materials contain formaldehyde resins, which act as binding components during manufacture. Such substances, firstly, have a quite noticeable specific smell, and secondly, they emit toxic fumes. Both that, and another is capable to scare away birds from a similar dwelling. Although, despite the recommendations, some craftsmen still choose these materials for the manufacture of birdhouses.

Cardboard, even durable is still a short-lived material, and a birdhouse from it will soon burst apart when wet. At the cardboard house, the roof may sag or the bottom may fall off, on which the birds equip the nest itself for laying eggs. And this means that the clutch or brood will simply die. Therefore, it is better to abandon the idea of using this material immediately.
Plastic bottle is also not the best option, as it has thin and transparent walls that are unlikely to attract birds. Some masters paint the bottle from the outside, but the paint can peel off under the influence of temperature and moisture. thin walls in winter period or, conversely, with strong heating, they will deform, shrink or expand, making clicking sounds that frighten the birds. It is ridiculous to talk about at least some insulation of such a birdhouse.

A birdhouse made from a plastic bottle is unlikely to become a cozy home for a feathered family. But to make feeders from bottles for the winter is worth it

In addition, plastic bottles are light in weight, so a strong wind will swing them when suspended. If you fix the product to the tree with brackets, then the same wind can simply rip off and carry away the bottle along with all the contents.

So, you can't imagine anything better than wood. And further, various options for birdhouses made only from this material will be considered.

Varieties of houses for various birds

In order to attract certain birds or even several of their species to the site, it is necessary to create comfortable, familiar conditions for them. Due to the fact that birds have different sizes, differ in flight speed and features of movement on a solid surface, the parameters of the “living space” intended for them will also vary.

By design, birdhouses can be divided into two types - these are prefabricated and "hollow holes".

Prefabricated bird houses, of course, are assembled from parts sawn to certain sizes from boards.

"Duplyanka" made of birch log

"Duplyanka" is a piece of log (log), from which the inner layers of wood have been removed. Walls with a thickness of 15 ÷ 20 mm are left, depending on the diameter of the log.

When choosing the size and type of birdhouse, it is also necessary to take into account the fact that some birds prefer a certain form of "houses".

Prices for a birdhouse for birds

birdhouse for birds

For example, if it is planned to attract and settle wagtails on the site, then they will have to make a house for them, which will differ significantly from the birdhouse familiar to everyone. The height of such a dwelling will be 140 ÷ 150 mm, width 150 mm, depth 350 ÷ 400 mm, together with a landing platform. In this design, it is made in the form of a rather large board measuring 150 × 100 mm. Thanks to such a notch and a narrow entrance, the bird can enter the house on foot.

Some birds prefer to settle in semi-open dwellings.

For redstarts, flycatchers, and also white wagtails, a house resembling a feeder is suitable, since they are reluctant to settle in closed birdhouses. Due to the fact that such dwellings become weakly protected from predators, for safety reasons they must be raised to a height of 2–6 meters, positioned so that there are no thick branches nearby, along which a cat can get to the nest.

The width of the house is 120÷140 mm, the height of the rear wall is 140÷150 mm, the height of the front wall is 80÷90 mm, the depth is 120÷140 mm. The roof of such a house has dimensions of 160 × 200 mm. Since the entrance clearance is large, the roof must reliably cover it from rain and snow.

Pied flycatcher is a small bird belonging to the titmouse family. She prefers a more secure home, so it is recommended to make an entry hole on the side of the front panel. The depth of the house can vary from 150 to 200 mm, the width - 150 mm, the height of the structure is from 150 to 25 mm, the inlet, as a rule, has a square shape and its size can be 35 × 35 or 40 × 40 mm.

Swifts and a house for them

Another type of bird that is an excellent fighter against garden pests is swifts. These birds prefer to settle in boxes fixed under the eaves of the house, sometimes they do not have a front wall at all, sometimes they resemble an ordinary birdhouse, but turned to a horizontal position. The inlets are also different - notches, they are not round, but elliptical in shape. Other birds do not settle in such nests, since everything is designed for nesting swifts. The height of the house is 180, the width is 550, the length is 225 mm, the size of the inlet is 32×60 mm.

open shearers

Another version of the dwelling for swifts is a box divided into several compartments and reliably protected from precipitation. Having chosen one of the compartments, the swifts build a nest in it, bringing various natural materials for this. This version of the shearer can be called "apartment". And living in whole "colonies" for swifts is a common thing.

A traditional birdhouse of a simple form - it is this design that is perhaps the most popular

The traditional birdhouse is chosen not only by starlings, but also by many other birds. This design can have different dimensional parameters.

The house shown in the illustration above has the following dimensions - width 180 mm, depth 200 mm, height 350÷400 mm. The dimensions of the bottom are 160 × 180, and the roofs are 200 × 200 mm, the diameter of the inlet is 50 ÷ 60 mm, the perch (pole) has a length of 50 mm and a diameter of 10 mm.

Multi-storey birdhouse

Starlings, and sparrows, too, get along well in "multi-apartment" birdhouses, which are installed on a metal rack embedded in the ground. The height of such a house should be at least 1500 ÷ 2000 mm. Next to the photo is a drawing of a two-story birdhouse with five compartments, that is, five feathered families can live in it at once. The only thing that would not hurt to add to this design is the landing areas on each floor of the building, such as shown in the illustration.

To make such a birdhouse, first, internal compartments-apartments are created from the prepared parts, which will become a reliable frame for the external facade cladding. In the outer panel for each of the "apartments" there is one round notch with a diameter of 50 mm.

Hollow nests are a favorite place for many birds to live.

Hollows are a natural habitat for birds in wildlife, most bird species settle in them, from sparrows to owls and even ducks. Therefore, a birdhouse made of logs will appeal to many feathered inhabitants, as it is made without the use of paints, glues and varnishes. You can always pick up a log of the required parameters and create comfortable, close to natural, living conditions inside it.

Having decided to equip a house for birds, it is necessary not only to choose the right design for it, but also to think over the place and method of its installation on the site. This decision will determine not only the attractiveness of the home for potential tenants, but also their safety, as well as comfortable conditions raising chicks. Having carried out some protective measures, you can protect the birdhouse both from weather influences and from various predators.

First you need to determine how to install a birdhouse. Some advise fixing the birdhouse so that the notch faces south. However, this decision cannot be called correct, since the birdhouse turned to the sunny side will overheat, which can lead to the death of the chicks. You can turn the notch to the south only if the birdhouse is shaded by tree branches.
Another important factor to consider when choosing the location of a birdhouse is the wind rose in the region, that is, from which side the wind blows more often and more intensely. The fact is that along with the wind, water will enter the birdhouse through the notch during rain and snow in winter.

That is why the notch of the bird house should be turned to the leeward side, or at least to the side parallel to the predominant direction of the winds.

cutting board prices

edged board

To install birdhouses, tree trunks, house walls, masts made of metal pipes or durable wood can be used.

Birdhouse installation options

Birdhouses are installed at a height of 2÷3.5 meters above the ground, in a place where there are no factors that can cause concern to birds. For example, if there are nearby railways, recreation areas or public buildings, then birdhouses are recommended to be raised to a height of 4.5 ÷ 5 meters.
It is also necessary to observe the distance between individual birdhouses. It, by the way, depends on the type of settled birds. For example, the tit does not tolerate "competitors" within a radius of about 50÷60 meters around its habitat. The flycatcher needs about 20 meters of its “own area”. True, many birds are not so fastidious, and, as we have already seen, they get along well with entire colonies in "multi-apartment" birdhouses.

A birdhouse on a pole can be fixed to a tree trunk with nylon twine or plastic wire

Birdhouses are fixed on one of the supports depending on their design. If fastening is provided with the help of a pole fixed on the back wall of the birdhouse, then it is nailed or screwed with long self-tapping screws to the base - the pole. To nail to a living tree trunk - sometimes the hand is not understood by some. This means that you can fix the birdhouse by tying it with a flexible wire or even a strong cord. In other versions, birdhouses are suspended from special brackets, also fixed to the back wall or roof of the structure.

Birdhouses must be protected from predators

In addition, we must not forget that predatory animals are a great danger to birdhouses. It sounds scary, but in fact, the main threat is our beloved cats, whose call of nature draws them on robbery adventures, even if they are quite provided with food. If the notch is too large, then the cat can reach the chicks or hidden birds with its paw.

To prevent the cat from reaching the bottom of the birdhouse with its paw, it is necessary to make a sufficiently large visor. If parameters from 40 to 50 mm appear in the drawings, then it is worth increasing them even to 80 ÷ 100 mm. Wood consumption will increase slightly, but effective protection for the nest will be provided. Another way to protect birds from cats is to make a gable roof on the birdhouse, while placing the slopes at an acute angle. On such a design, even the most dexterous "bandit" will not sit for a long time.

Safety measures against woodpeckers and cats

If the birdhouse is fixed on a tree, then to make it difficult for the cat to rise or descend from above to the birdhouse, the trunk is upholstered with metal belts 600 ÷ 800 mm wide. The distance between the bottom of the birdhouse and the protection should be 350 ÷ 400 mm, and between the roof and the metal 1300 ÷ 1400 mm. When choosing this method of protection, it must be remembered that the metal belt around the trunk should not interfere with the possibility of increasing the diameter of the tree. That is, either a certain clearance between the tree and the belt should be set, or some kind of sliding structure should be made that can increase in diameter.

Another option that can be chosen instead of installing metal is to fasten down branches on the trunk of a bunch of branches. Branches must be securely fixed to the surface. A cat will never overcome such an obstacle.

The woodpecker expands the notch to get to the masonry

Another danger to the nests of small birds is, oddly enough, woodpeckers. These birds are considered very useful, they are called "orderlies of the forest." But along with the active eating of tree pests, woodpeckers do not refuse to destroy the nests of "bird fry".

The letok in bird houses is traditionally made small, the woodpecker does not climb into it and is not even able to stick its head in to break an egg with its beak. But often that doesn't stop him. To get to the masonry, these "beauties" are able to expand the notch, pecking it with their sharp beak.

To protect the masonry from the woodpecker, other methods are used, which are also shown in the above figure in its first line:

The area around the notch is upholstered with metal;

Several nails are driven in a circle around the hole;

It would be nice to hang a kind of "store" for the material, which is perfect for building a nest. If the birds find everything they need in one area, then they will remain on it forever. Chicks raised in a comfortable nesting box will definitely return to it next year.

Making birdhouses with your own hands

In this section of the publication, four options for making birdhouses will be considered, from the simplest to the more complex. After studying this information, each master will be able to choose an acceptable solution for himself.

The first option is to assemble a kit from finished parts.

If it is not possible to find suitable material or there is no ability to prepare from it all the elements necessary to create a birdhouse, then a ready-made set of wooden parts is purchased. From them you can quickly and easily assemble a birdhouse.

Prices for popular models of screwdrivers

screwdriver

A complete set of wooden parts for building a birdhouse - can be purchased at the store

Details are made of well-dried and treated wood. The manufacturer even provided holes for screwing screws. An assembly diagram is attached to the kit, so the work can be done in just a couple of hours, having at hand only a regular Phillips screwdriver or. This is the easiest option for making a bird house. By the way, a good option for introducing a child to creative work.

The second option is the simplest "classic" model with a pitched roof.

This option is more complicated. But only because you have to find a suitable material and make parts of the required size from it.

Easy bird house design

Illustration
	Before proceeding directly to the execution of work, it is necessary to select a ready-made one or draw up your own project-drawing of a product that is suitable in terms of parameters. In this case, an easy-to-execute model is presented, which is available to manufacture even for a novice master.
	From the finished drawing, all dimensions of the parts are transferred to well-crafted boards. The thickness of the board can vary and range from 15 to 25 mm. For marking you will need a tape measure, a metal ruler and a simple pencil. After all the details of the structure are marked, they are cut out using an electric jigsaw. You can, of course, use a regular hand saw for wood, but burrs will remain on the ends of the parts. Yes, and it is much more convenient to work with power tools.
	On the finished front panel of the birdhouse structure, the location of the notch hole is marked. Then, it is drilled using a drill-crown of the required diameter - in this case it is 50 mm.
	For comfortable movement of birds along the inner surface when climbing to the notch, it is made "embossed", rough. To do this, it is scratched and drilled, making non-through holes to a depth of 2 ÷ 3 mm. Scratches and holes are applied below the notch.
	So that the ends of the boards do not split when screwing screws into them, first the front panel is attached to the side panel, and holes of small diameter are drilled in the right places. Then, using a screwdriver, self-tapping screws are screwed into the holes obtained, which will create a reliable connection.
	Further, the second wall is fixed to the facade, in the same way as the first. The last operation at this stage of work is fixing the back panel. The parts are fastened in such a way that the right angles of the birdhouse are observed. It is enough to use three self-tapping screws on each side. In some designs, for more reliable fastening of the walls to each other, the craftsmen inside the structure install bars with a section of 25 × 25 mm at the corners, to which the walls are fixed. True, this somewhat reduces the spaciousness of the birdhouse.
	The next step is to mark the bottom of the birdhouse, determine the line along which the screws will be screwed. They should be at a distance from the edge equal to ½ of the thickness of the bottom panel. Holes are drilled along the edges of the drawn line. After that, a square bottom part is installed in place - it should fit tightly between the walls already fixed to each other. Further, self-tapping screws are screwed into the prepared through holes, which finally fixes the bottom of the birdhouse. In other designs, the bottom element can be superimposed on the end sides of the walls and fixed to them with the same self-tapping screws.
	Further, markings are made on the inside of the roof for mounting a wooden square-liner, which will fit tightly between the walls of the birdhouse when the lid is closed. First, the square is fixed to the roof with one self-tapping screw, which is screwed in its center. Then, after the final fitting of the roof, the part is additionally fixed with four self-tapping screws installed at the corners.
	In order to preserve the possibility of carrying out the internal processing of the bird's dwelling, it is recommended to fix the roof not permanently, but hingedly, on one wide or two narrow loops. At the same stage, a bar-pole is installed and fixed in the middle part of the back wall, with the help of which the birdhouse will be fixed to a tree or other base.
	If it is planned to fix the roof permanently, then after it is put in place, through its panel, through holes are drilled that go into the walls. After that, you can fearlessly screw self-tapping screws into them, being sure that they will not split the side panels. Finally, a non-through hole is drilled under the notch, into which the pole is inserted and fixed. Or - a small "take-off site" or a piece of board or bar.

The third option is a birdhouse with a gable roof

This birdhouse model differs from the previous one in the shape of the roof, dimensions and some manufacturing nuances.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation to be performed
	For this version of the birdhouse, it is necessary to prepare parts that have the following dimensions: A1 and A2 - 300 × 160 mm - front and rear wall; B - 2 pcs. - 220 × 120 mm - side walls; C - 1 piece - 120 × 120 birdhouse bottom; K1 - 1 pc. 200 × 160 mm - one side of the roof; K2 - 1 pc. 200 × 180 mm - the second side of the roof.
	The above dimensions are carefully transferred to the boards. Then the parts are cut with an electric jigsaw, which will make the edges even, without burrs.
	The finished parts are checked against each other so that during the assembly of the structure it does not happen that unwanted gaps appear between the individual parts. If this happens, then you will have to disassemble the birdhouse and adjust its elements to each other. If necessary, a slight adjustment is made until complete congruence.
	Now all the details and their edges must be processed with sandpaper. It is especially important to sand the outer sides of the walls well so that they absorb moisture as little as possible.
	The notch can be marked and drilled before the structure is assembled or after it is assembled. But it is necessary to work on the inner surface of the facade before the walls are fastened together. With a knife, drill or other sharp tool, a part of the inner wall under the notch is made rough.
	The finished parts in this example are first glued together with wood glue. The first step is to glue the side panels to the back wall.
	They are tightly pressed and pulled together with clamps until the glue dries completely. Then, without removing the clamps, holes for fasteners are drilled with a thin drill.
	Nails are hammered into the resulting holes or self-tapping screws are screwed. Two nails or screws for each side are enough to fasten the back and front walls to the side panels.
	After the walls are fastened together, markings are made on the front panel for drilling a notch hole.
	Then, using a drill-crown with a diameter of 45 or 50 mm, a notch is drilled. It is advisable to immediately process the finished hole with sandpaper.
	The next operation is the installation of the roof slopes of the birdhouse. First, one, shorter roof part is glued exactly from the ridge line. Then - the second, with thrust on the first. After that, you must wait until the glue sets, and then small holes are drilled in the roof slopes for fasteners.
	In this case, nails 25÷30 mm long are used for fastening.
	The next step is to install the bottom of the birdhouse. If the markings and cutting of the parts are carried out correctly, then the bottom should fit very tightly between the walls - sometimes it even has to be slightly knocked out with a hammer.
	Mounting holes are drilled at the bottom of the side, rear and front panels. Then nails are hammered into them.
	Under the notch, stepping back from its lower point of 20 mm, a hole is drilled for the hearth.
	The pole is glued into the resulting hole with wood glue.
	The result is a neat birdhouse with a gable roof, which will not allow the cat to lie in a long "ambush" waiting for the birds to appear.

Fourth option- making a birdhouse

This section will consider the process of making a nest box, which is chosen by many species of birds.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation to be performed
	In order to make a hollow, you do not need to make calculations and draw up drawings. The only thing that needs to be observed is the approximate dimensional parameters of "classic" birdhouses, taking into account the diameter of the notch. To implement this idea, it is necessary to find a log that is suitable in size and type of wood. An aspen or birch log that has lain on the street for about a year is perfect for a nest box. After lying down in the street, the core of these tree species becomes soft, and the outer layers retain their rigidity and strength, which is what we need.
	If the bark of the wood has become unusable, then it should be removed from the log. If it is dry and has an aesthetic appearance, then it can become a camouflage and decorative element of the hollow. The top side of the log can be cut at an angle to secure a shed roof, or cut from both sides of the log for a gable structure. When choosing a single-slope option, it is necessary to provide for such a slope so that water flows freely from the coating during rain.
	The next step is to gradually remove the inner part of the wood from the log. Here it should be noted that the fibers can be removed along the entire length, or a bottom of 40 ÷ 50 mm thick is left in the lower part of the workpiece. The second option is more difficult to perform, but you don’t have to fix the bottom panel, and the birds will get more natural living conditions. If such a bottom is left in the log, then it must be made as even as possible. It is easier, of course, to clean the log from the core along the entire length. To select wood, a chisel with a hammer and an electric drill with a long drill are used, with which several holes are drilled, weakening the array of fibers.
	The core is removed from the log so that the remaining walls have a uniform thickness of 20÷30 mm. Protruding chips and large burrs must be removed from the side walls. Next, you need to mark the outer wall of the log, where it is planned to equip the notch. It should be located at a distance of 70 ÷ 80 mm from the top edge of the workpiece. A hole is drilled using a drill-crown of the required diameter.
	As a bottom, you can use a piece of log (dice) with a thickness of 30 ÷ 35 mm, with a diameter corresponding to the size of the inner hole of the hollow. The bottom should fit snugly into the hole. Then, it must be fixed in several places with self-tapping screws, for which small holes are pre-drilled. Instead of a piece of log, a round bottom piece can be cut out of a board of the same thickness. To determine the exact shape of the circle with minimal errors, it is necessary to put a workpiece on top of the board and draw on the board from the inside inner diameter circles. The bottom is cut along this line. If, after installing the bottom, small gaps remain between it and the walls of the hollow log, they can simply be caulked with linen fibers.
	The final stage of work is fixing the roof. The blank for it is usually made of slab. The roof must be fastened very carefully, as it is possible to split the walls of the log. Therefore, small holes are first drilled into which self-tapping screws are screwed. The roof is mounted so that the visor protrudes about 100 mm above the entrance. To fix the birdhouse on a tree, a pole is mounted on its outer rear wall. If desired, a landing pad or a pole can be fixed under the notch. On this, in fact, the work is completed and the nesting box can be installed in the intended place.

* * * * * * *

Now, having familiarized yourself with the basics of the process of making birdhouses, as well as with what models of bird houses there are, and for which birds they are more intended, you can opt for a particular option.

Of course, the proposed options are one of the simplest. But in fact, craftsmen sometimes make genuine masterpieces that become not only a convenient place for birds to live, but also a decoration of the site. An example is shown in the video below - a birdhouse using precast log technology.

We made a birdhouse, now you can start making a booth for a dog, and you can find the instructions in our new article on our portal

Video: Original birdhouse - miniature log house

Not every person is an inquisitive naturalist, but almost everyone is crazy about the magical singing of birds. Since ancient times, people have tried to attract these wonderful musicians, and the product called the feeder has become the fruit of these attempts. Many people are still thinking about making a birdhouse with their own hands, but due to ignorance of the technology for its simple and quick manufacture, they refuse this idea.

This article presents comprehensive guide, explaining step by step how to make a birdhouse with your own hands, without resorting to outside help ...

Material selection

To begin with, you will need to prepare the materials necessary for the construction of the birdhouse, of which the structure will subsequently consist. Ideal for these purposes will be coniferous wood, processed and presented in the form of edged boards.

In order to avoid unnecessary work later, it is recommended to pick up two boards of different widths, about one meter long each. It is better to take a board 200 mm wide on the front and back sides of the future birdhouse, and 150 mm on the flanks. The birdhouse is best fastened with self-tapping screws, but you can get by with nails.

During the construction of a home for birds, both mechanical and electronic devices will come in handy. For obvious reasons, using the latter will make the job faster and more efficient.

You must have the following tools: a jigsaw or a hacksaw, a drill with a 5 mm drill, a screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver, a hammer, a square and a simple pencil. In one form or another, all these devices, if desired, can be found practically in your house or borrowed from neighbors.

Now that you are "armed to the teeth", you can safely get to work, having previously determined the desired dimensions of the birdhouse. It must be remembered that a standard birdhouse reaches a height of 300 mm and a width of 200 mm.

Step-by-step instruction

A wider board should be cut into three parts: 30 cm for the back wall and 25 cm for the gable and top cover. A narrow board should be divided into two parts of a square shape, which will be needed for the construction of the floor and roof (15x15 cm), as well as into two parts of a curly shape for the side walls.

The parts intended to create the side walls should have the top uneven, but sawn at a slight angle so that the roof of the birdhouse, laid on top, forms a slope for rainwater.

It is easy to create such an angle, it is enough to retreat 5 cm down from the top of the board 30 cm long and draw a line perpendicular to the length. As a result, you will only have to connect the edge of this line with the opposite corner of the top of the board, and then cut off the excess.

If you did everything right, the front end of the flank board is 25 cm long, like the front wall, and the back end is 30 cm, like the back wall.

In order not to get confused, all the wooden parts of the future birdhouse must be signed, but it is better to make a preliminary drawing.

Before assembling, make sure that your birdhouse has an inlet. If you forgot about it, then urgently correct the situation. To do this, you need to find the middle in the upper part of the front board and measure 50 mm down from it, then draw a horizontal line perpendicular to the longitudinal section. The intersection point of the vertical and horizontal lines will become the center for the future entry.

Having marked the place where the entrance to the birdhouse will be, proceed to form a round hole at this place, which will be convenient to make with a drill. Dot the perimeter of the future hole with frequent holes made with a drill, and then knock it out with a hammer or squeeze out a wooden circle with your hands (act carefully).

Depending on the place where the object of your art will show off, it can be equipped or not equipped with a special perch for birds. If the birdhouse is located near the window opening of a city apartment, away from dense vegetation, the birds will simply need a perch to rest. But if the feeder is attached to a tree, then the accessory in the form of a perch will be useless for the birds.

You should pay attention to the surface of the bird house. It definitely has to be rough. Otherwise, your craft, from a cute house, can easily turn into an insidious trap that can kill many birds.

If, suddenly, you come across sanded wood, it is recommended to “spoil” it with notches, at least on the outside of the feeder.

When all the parts are done and ready for assembly, first of all, you will need to alternately combine the front wall with the right, and the back with the left. A hammer with nails or a screwdriver with self-tapping screws will do the job best. When the "corners" are ready, it remains only to fasten them together.

The birdhouse is almost ready. The only thing missing is the bottom and the roof. This is where wooden squares 15 × 15 cm come in handy. The floor of the birdhouse should be carefully inserted into the bottom hole, then securely fixed, and the ceiling must be combined with the roof.

In the resulting design, the roof peak will come forward about 5 cm from the gable, providing protection for birds from the weather and cats scurrying everywhere.

Rules for installing a birdhouse

Separately, mention should be made of the rules for placing a birdhouse. It is usually installed on hills (trees and poles). For these purposes, a relatively long beam or board is attached to the rear surface of the feeder, with the help of which the house is tied with wire to a surface of suitable height.

Those who wish to make a birdhouse with their own hands do not have to wait for spring. Having made it in advance, you will act more reasonably, since in this case your product will lose the bird-scaring, human smells and acquire natural aromas that do not disturb the birds.

As you can see, making a birdhouse is not such a difficult matter. It is enough just to look at the instruction drawing (the dimensions on it differ from those indicated in the article) and it immediately becomes clear how to make a birdhouse with your own hands.