How to Build a Bird House

A bird house is the perfect way to provide nesting sites for birds that have lost much of their natural habitat. There are dozens of species of birds that build their nests in hollow spaces in dead or rotting trees. Unfortunately, many of these trees have been removed due to logging or real estate development.

Bird House Construction

• Make a plan. You can find free bird house plans at many sites on the Internet. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has a very detailed publication available, as does Oregon State University (OSU).
• A little lumber goes a long way. Your bird house should be made of 1" lumber to provide strength and some insulation. For smaller bird houses, you can use 1"x6" or 1"x8" lumber. Since all of the wall widths are the same, a single board 4' to 6' long should be enough to build an entire house.
• Keep it outside. You can paint the exterior of your bird house, but don't paint the interior. Try to limit the amount of paint around the entrance. Paint fumes can be harmful to the birds nesting in your bird house.

Bird House Building Tips

• It's all in the materials. Wood is the best building material for your bird house. Cedar and redwood provide natural water resistance and an attractive finished product. For fasteners, choose galvanized screws or nails.
• Easy access. For inspection and maintenance, provide a hinged roof or wall section. You'll need to clean your bird house at the end of each nesting season.
• Cool and dry. You'll need to provide drainage and ventilation holes in your bird house. ¼" holes in the floor will allow for drainage and similar holes in the side walls will allow for ventilation.
• No perches! Although many commercial bird houses have perches installed, your bird house shouldn't. Perches provide easy access to predators like cats and squirrels.