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How to make a birdhouse out of a box. DIY birdhouse: master class with photos. Making a birdhouse from wood

The sounds of spring are cheerful drops, iridescent trills of birds returning home. Who doesn't love the aroma of fresh grass and first flowers?

Friends! Hi all! I started our conversation by “inviting” you to spring! And all because today we will learn how to meet birds, we will talk... The starlings have flown in from distant lands and have a family arrangement and joyful chants on schedule. So let's help them by making a house for birds, and then all their songs will be for us!

Let's clarify a few points:

What are the requirements for garden structures?
What can you construct a bird house from?
What can be done by the hands of a child?

Now let's talk about all this in more detail. And at the end of the conversation I will share one design idea! So, go ahead!

Photos of birdhouses made from scrap materials are clickable:

Requirements for birdhouses

We don’t have to wait for our little ones to be given a task. to school or in kindergarten bring a birdhouse. An activity like building a birdhouse can be very interesting and worthwhile to devote your attention to without any outside encouragement. But to make the winged ones comfortable, we must take into account important factors:

Suitable dimensions;
Material;
Fastening system for secure fixation.

Dimensions. First of all, you need to understand that, although this garden craft will hang on the street near the house, and therefore should also have the function of decorating the territory, we we do it is primarily for the convenience of the birds. Otherwise, all she will do is decorate the garden. No birds will live in it. This means we take into account the size of the winged aircraft for which we are building. But, if we start from the standard, then the height is 30-35cm; width - 15-17, and depth 13-15 cm. Hole diameter 4-5cm.

Materials. You can use not only traditional wood, but also unusual materials. What can you build from: from willow vines, from newspaper tubes, from wine corks, from plastic bottles, plywood, cardboard, etc. The main thing is that if you use wet materials like cardboard, it is good to cover it with varnish in 2-3 layers so that it is not afraid of either snow or rain.
We secure the birdhouse. It’s worth thinking in advance about what to attach our craft to and with what. For example, you can nail a board to the back. Either nail it or tie it to a tree or pole.

Our birdhouse from a bottle - MK video

My son and I made it from an ordinary plastic bottle. Just need to paint with acrylic paints.

Video - birdhouse made of cardboard

Video - birdhouse made from jars

Master class edible feeder - cookies for birds

Master class OSB birdhouse in the shape of a rocket

The most common and most unusual birdhouses

When I look at photo birdhouses that are on the Internet or someone posted on their social networks, I’m surprised how beautiful they look and how creative they are ideas coming to people's minds. There is such a variety of shapes: round, diamonds, polygons... And what colors there are! Some people don’t paint them, while others paint them to look like Gzhel. Other options include apartment buildings. And near some it is attached feeder. This is also a very convenient option if you want birds to settle next to you for a long time and delight you every spring.

I really liked the teapot birdhouse.

What is the help of kids?

If it's all about gluing, for example if you're making a birdhouse from boxes, then the children can participate in the very process of designing, cutting and assembling. But, if the house is traditionally wooden, and the baby is too small, do not refuse his help when he gives you nails or non-sharp and not heavy tools.

Another option to make the craft unusual is original drawing. Give your little one a brush and some paint and let him create! Such a birdhouse can safely be called a joint product.

A few more photo ideas - original, but also more time- and effort-intensive birdhouses.

Blueprints

According to the drawings, you can make not only wooden, but also cardboard birdhouses. Even a birdhouse is made from twigs or newspaper tubes according to drawings. All pictures are clickable.

Next time there will be a master class on making a wooden birdhouse.

I really want to believe that now we will all look forward to spring, and the birds will not have to look for where to settle and raise their winged offspring. I hope you and your kids enjoy designing and making! I think this is not the last time you show your creativity. And in the future, other interesting articles await us all, where we will build something. Therefore, don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any of our fruitful conversations! And don't forget to invite your friends. I think they will also be curious to learn and share their knowledge!

That's all for today! Bye!

Building birdhouses for birds on your own the first time is not an easy task. However, it is completely solvable. This text will describe in detail how to make a birdhouse. By following the following instructions, you will easily understand the features of the process.

You will also be able to select a tool and material and move on to the active phase.

With the right approach, you can build a birdhouse in a few hours. However, for this it is necessary to understand the material that will be used to make the birdhouse.

You can use wood, plastic, plywood, even paper. However, any material requires pre-processing. And for this you need certain devices.

Required Tools

In this regard, everything is quite simple. Before making a birdhouse, you should make sure that you have the various necessary tools. Let's list the main ones. In this case you will have to use:

Carpenter's hammer.
Chisels of different widths.
A hacksaw for wood.
Wooden hammer.
Ruler, pencil.
Drill, drill.

Types of birdhouses

First you need to decide on the size of this structure. The type of birdhouse will depend on this. There are several types of such houses. Namely:

1. Standard birdhouse.

In this case, its dimensions will be as follows:

length – 16 cm;
width – 15 cm;
height – 40 cm;
taphole diameter – 5 cm.

2. Titmouse. This is a small birdhouse. It will become a wonderful home for birds that are no larger than a tit. This structure is suitable for different types of birds. Perhaps these will be sparrows, redstarts, and pieds. Or the titmice themselves.

In this case, the dimensions will be as follows:

width – 12 cm;
length – 10 cm;
height – 30 cm;
entrance – 3.5 cm.

3. Wagtail. This type has a protrusion in front of the entrance. Here will be the following sizes:

height, width – 15 cm;
length – 30 cm.

4. Triangular birdhouse. This is a house for common pikas. Its hole is through. It has the following dimensions:

width – 15 cm;
height – 25 cm;
entrance – 3x6 cm.

If you just want to make a birdhouse for the forest or have no idea what kind of birds you have in your garden, then make a standard type. You just need to remember that, for example, tits prefer small, comfortable houses. They feel uncomfortable in large ones. But the starlings will not fit in the titmouse. This is important to consider.

This construction is very simple, it can easily be done in a couple of hours. Its disadvantage is that it, of course, is not particularly reliable and will only last for one year.

This house can be made from any small box. To do this, you need to do the following:

Glue the lid to the box itself. It must be securely attached.
Cut a tap hole in the lid with a diameter of about five centimeters. The hole should be located no higher than 20 cm from the bottom. For complete convenience, the taphole should be round. To do this, you can glue the edges of the hole several times with wide tape. And it will serve longer.
The back wall of the box must be very strong. After all, it is the basis. It would be nice to glue plywood onto it. Wooden planks are also suitable in this case. Instead of glue, it is generally better to use small screws or brackets for fastening.
To protect the birdhouse from moisture, you need to paint it. It is desirable that it be odorless.
And the very last thing. Wait until everything dries. Then the product should be secured to the base.

You can make a cardboard house in the same way. Only with him there will be more hassle. You'll have to work hard to connect all the parts and give rigidity to the cardboard itself. You can try to make a birdhouse out of paper. However, it is unlikely to be reliable.

Birdhouse from a bottle

Making such a product will not take much time. An hour maximum, maybe even less. To do this, you will need a five or three liter plastic bottle. It all depends on the size of the birdhouse you need. This house is very similar to a feeding trough. Everyone did them in childhood. But there are still small differences.

In such a birdhouse you will have to make a standard entrance. And everything else needs to be done as described above. The only, but significant, disadvantage is that the bottles are often transparent. But birds need comfort and privacy. So in this case, the birdhouse will have to be either painted or covered with paper. This product can be simply attached to a tree by the bottle handle. The care of these structures will definitely be discussed below.

Such a design will take much more time, knowledge and effort. But the result of your work will be a durable and durable birdhouse that will serve the birds for many years. The main thing in this matter is desire. Although it is much more difficult to make a wooden birdhouse, the efforts made will not be in vain. In addition to the set of tools listed above, in this case you will need certain materials:

Aspen or birch rough-hewn dry boards.
Odorless paint.
Wooden planks for reinforcement.
All kinds of consumables.

When everything is already assembled, you can begin to construct the house. To do this you need the following:

1. Create a birdhouse design on paper. This is quite significant. You need to measure the birdhouse correctly. In this case, a drawing of the designed product is required. You should also calculate the amount of materials.

2. Then all dimensions should be transferred from paper to material. Using a tool, cut out the necessary parts. Referring to the drawing, we connect all the parts using nails or self-tapping screws. We will get a durable and cozy box. For this house to be very reliable, after connection, not a single part should wobble.

3. Then we make a ledge for the birds in front of the “entrance” to the birdhouse. This device serves for the convenience of birds who want to get into their shelter. And it usually consists of a small plank. Birds love to rest on such a ledge. It also needs to be secured with nails.

4. Next stage. It consists of making a mount for installing or hanging a birdhouse. Most often it consists of special holes on the back wall of the house. It can also be other fastenings - a clamp or a clamp.

Making a birdhouse with your own hands is not a particularly difficult task. You just need to follow certain rules and listen to the advice of experts:

The ideal material would be wood, as it is quite durable.
You need to use special wood. Birch, aspen, alder, and other deciduous trees.
Fibreboard, chipboard and OSB are not recommended for use. Firstly, they are toxic, and secondly, they are not durable.
The smell of paint does not attract birds. So its use is not mandatory. If you still decide to take this step, then use odorless paint.
You don’t have to make a perch inside. But it’s better to attach the ledge from the outside.
The inside of the birdhouse should be rough so that the birds can move comfortably. If the board is smooth, you will have to put notches on it. This can be done with a chisel.
It is better to make the entrance round so that the birds do not get injured.
The roof of this product can be made removable to make it easier to care for the birdhouse.
It is also advisable to make the roof sloping so that moisture does not accumulate. It won't last long if it's even.

Birdhouse installation

This is an important process. Making a birdhouse, the photo of which is provided in this text, is half the battle. You don't need any special experience for this. But then it needs to be placed correctly. After all, if you attach this house poorly, and even in the wrong place, then it can turn over or, even worse, fall.

There are a few tips to follow in this regard:

It is necessary to take the choice of location seriously. For example, it could be the end of a house, a strong pole, a tree, a pillar and much more.
It is better to install the birdhouse no lower than three meters from the ground. And always in a place where a small predator like a cat, marten or weasel cannot reach.
The birdhouse should be strengthened at a slight slope. That is, it must be placed so that raindrops do not fall into the entrance.
You can fasten the birdhouse with the same nails and screws. But if you decide to hang the house on a tree, then it is better to use clamps, do not injure the tree itself.

In principle, it is possible to install bird houses during the entire warm season. The birds will settle there in any case. However, the ideal time is early spring. After all, the bird family needs time to settle down and have offspring.

There is nothing complicated in this regard. After you have made and installed the birdhouse yourself, you, of course, want it to serve the birds for as long as possible. And for this you need to constantly look after the house.

How to do this? The answer to this question is quite simple. This does not require any extra costs or additional time. Everything is done simply and quickly. You just need to clean the bird house of dirt and feathers at the end of the season.

Making something with your own hands (a feeder, a birdhouse, various garden structures and much more) is a very exciting activity.

It is not a pity to allocate several hours a week, or even a month, for this work. After all, you are going to do very useful things.

After you make a beautiful decorative birdhouse yourself, the desire to create further will certainly awaken in you. Such crafts will not only create comfort for your garden animals, but will also significantly decorate the interior of your summer cottage.

Having read the above, everyone will be able to figure out how to make a birdhouse. But exactly how it will look depends on individual desire. The main thing in this case is hard work, scrupulousness and patience. All in your hands!

What role do birds play in our lives?

Many people believe that birds only bring harm, destroying the harvest of berries in the garden, while forgetting that birds feed on insects, slugs and worms, which harm the garden much more.

According to some reports, one starling eats about three hundred different insects a day. Imagine how many pests a family of starlings eats!

It is not for nothing that since ancient times people have attracted birds to their garden by building birdhouses and birds for them.

In spring, starlings will come to the rescue, and in winter, tits. Tits destroy wintering caterpillars, and in the spring they eat eggs of insects, butterflies, aphids, bedbugs, and beetles.

Do you still doubt the benefits of birds? If not, then we suggest you make a birdhouse for birds with your own hands and prepare for the spring meeting of our little brothers.

Traditional bird house

A traditional birdhouse is considered to be a house made of boards, familiar to all of us from childhood. The older generation made such birdhouses in schools during labor lessons, and perhaps today’s schoolchildren are doing the same thing, taking care of birds and school plantings.

And so, in order to build a birdhouse with your own hands we will need unplaned boards 2 cm thick and 100-200 mm wide, nails or screws, a hacksaw, a hammer or screwdriver, a drill with a feather drill, a pencil and a ruler for marking. The material for construction should under no circumstances be toxic, otherwise birds simply will not settle in it.

Before starting work, make a drawing of the future birdhouse, based on available materials.

The size of the natural hollow in which birds usually settle is approximately 12x12 cm. Based on these parameters, we determine the size of the birdhouse. We make the bottom 100x100 or 120x120 mm. The height of the house is 250-350 mm. A house that is too large can accommodate more than 4-5 chicks; it will be difficult for parents to feed large offspring; the chicks will be weak and sickly.

We make the entrance hole (entrance hole) with a diameter of 40-50 mm for the starling, 30 mm for the tit.. The small hole is suitable for small birds. A hole that is too large could allow large or predatory birds to “invade” it, and we don’t want that. In addition, a bird of prey will be able to destroy the offspring of starlings or tits that have chosen your birdhouse.

The entrance hole must be made at a height of 180-210 mm from the floor level. Outside, under the entrance, it is necessary to secure a perch (cylindrical stick) or make a platform. If you use a planed board (you have one available) to build a birdhouse, then you need to make notches on the inside of the wall with the entrance. The roof of the house can be made single-pitch or gable, at your discretion and taste, but it must overhang the “facade” by at least 50 mm.

To give a more attractive appearance, you can paint the birdhouse with water-based (non-toxic) red or gray paint; for some reason, these are the colors that attract birds the most.

Making a birdhouse can be a fun family activity where all members can take part in the process: the men and boys saw and work with a hammer and nails, and the women can paint the birdhouse with the precision inherent in women. Girls will really enjoy decorating a birdhouse.

You can decorate a bird house in various ways. It is unlikely that birds need this, but for your own satisfaction and for creating a beautiful thing that will be placed in your garden, the activity is quite suitable.

Bird house made from scrap materials

Of course, the best home for birds would be a wooden birdhouse; it is warmer and resembles a hollow in a tree for birds. But not everyone has the opportunity to make such a birdhouse; available materials will come to the rescue.

For example, you can make a birdhouse from a pumpkin. Surely this beauty is growing on your site. Free the pumpkin from the pulp, dry it, make an entrance hole using the same drill, build a roof, and the house is ready.

A beautiful birdhouse for birds can be made from branches with a diameter of 8-12 mm, cut into 12-15 cm lengths. Connect the branches together with self-tapping screws or rope, make a notch, build a roof, and you will have a cozy house for birds.

And this is an option made from ordinary logs. How to make such a birdhouse? The core is selected using a chainsaw or chisel. The inlet hole is drilled. You build the roof at your own discretion.

It can be in the form of a sawn ring, all from the same log, or made of boards.

You can use the knots that are present on the log as poles. This is perhaps the most “natural” house for birds. Such a birdhouse will be the most durable.

If you are proficient in wicker weaving techniques, then use your skills in making a bird house. An old wicker basket will also work for this purpose. Such beauty can be purchased in stores selling souvenirs and interior items.

Such a birdhouse will decorate a stylish exterior and will go well with wicker furniture.

You can make a house from an ordinary one and a half liter plastic bottle. But the birdhouse needs to be insulated using thick hemp or sisal rope, wrapping or tying it around the bottle. It is better to cover sharp sections of the entrance hole with tape or adhesive tape, which is sold in a roll.

By the way, a birdhouse can simply be woven from thick rope, for example, using the macrame technique, or crocheted or knitted. The product will keep its shape, but for greater rigidity and durability of the structure it can be painted with acrylic paint.

Various small plastic containers, as well as cardboard milk or juice boxes, are also suitable for making a house. But still remember that a more comfortable bird house will be one made from natural materials.

Here's a birdhouse you can build from ordinary wine corks: creative, and the birds feel warm and cozy.

You can also make a birdhouse from a small wooden barrel.

Or use a flower pot, where saucers securely attached to the pot will serve as the bottom and roof.

And this is what a very unusual multi-storey and “apartment” bird house looks like.

If you still don’t have the necessary material, or simply don’t have enough time to make a birdhouse yourself, then you can purchase a kit for making a birdhouse, which are sold in DIY departments or at a garden supply store. The cost of such sets varies from 550 to 800 rubles. This set can be a gift for a child who can easily (or with your help) build a birdhouse. All that remains is to secure it in the garden.

You can also find ready-made birdhouses on sale; more often they are not only a home for birds, but also a decoration for the garden plot. The price of such products varies, depending on the materials, complexity of production and the individuality of the model. Designer birdhouses can cost several thousand rubles.

How to properly install a birdhouse in the garden?

A very important point in creating housing for birds is the correct installation of the birdhouse. Usually it is nailed to a pole, which is subsequently screwed with wire to a tree at a height of 4-7 meters from ground level.

If cats live on your property, they will be a danger to starlings and other birds. To protect the chicks from “predators,” nail a rail under the entrance that will prevent the cat’s paw from entering the house and prevent him from reaching the babies. The body of the birdhouse attached to the tree should deviate slightly forward from the vertical.

Perhaps your version of a birdhouse will differ from those proposed by us, and you will be able to add to your collection of unusual houses for birds.

Useful video

Attracting birds to the site is both useful and pleasant. It is useful because they destroy insect pests, it is pleasant to listen to their singing and observe the behavior of birds. That’s why many people come up with the idea of building a birdhouse with their own hands. People over 40 years old can remember their school days: during labor lessons, boys made houses for birds. But it’s not just property owners who make birdhouses. Often residents of apartment buildings hang them on trees near the house, on balconies and loggias.

What to make from

The answer is clear - from wood, and deciduous trees: conifers are too resinous. The resin can stain the plumage, resulting in the death of the bird. You should not use plywood or. Rarely does anyone live in such birdhouses: glue and binders scare away birds. For the same reason, we assemble and fasten the workpieces only with nails or screws, we do not use glue.

Most often, birdhouses are made from boards. The thickness of the boards is at least 20 mm. This thickness is enough to maintain a stable temperature inside, which is important when hatching chicks. Moreover, the boards need to be unplaned; in any case, the inner surface should be rough. The front part under the entrance is also specially scratched: along these notches, chicks and birds rise to the entrance.

To prevent the boards from cracking during assembly, we pre-drill holes for the screws. The diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw.

Sizes of birdhouses for different types of birds

To attract different types of birds, the size of the house should vary. It is mainly the proportions of the “body” itself and the entrance that change. The goal is to create nesting conditions that are more familiar to this species.

Bird species	Bottom dimensions	Birdhouse height	Taphole dimensions	Note
Starlings	10*10 cm	30-40 cm	about 5 cm	a taphole is preferable to a round shape
Titmouse - tits, flycatchers, redstarts, sparrows, pygmy owls	10-12 cm	25-30 cm	30-35 mm	round entrance
Lesser titmouse or flycatcher (flycatchers, redstarts)	10*8 cm	25-30 cm	30 mm
Poluduplyanka	10*8 cm	20 cm	height 33-50 mm across the entire width of the wall	taphole - a longitudinal slot across the entire width of the front wall

As you can see from the table, basically only the height changes. The width remains more or less stable. There is no point in making birdhouses anymore. They will stimulate the laying of more eggs, and the birds will not be able to fully feed a large number of chicks; as a result, the offspring will be weak and, most likely, die.

If you want to attract wagtails, make a birdhouse laid on its side: its height will be 10-12 cm and width - 35-40 cm, with the same small entrance located approximately in the middle. Wagtails have weak legs, and they cannot climb a high wall to the entrance. That is why there is such a choice of nesting sites. in the shaker it is also advisable to make a ladder about 10 cm wide in front of the entrance - so that they can enter on foot.

The semi-duplyanka requires some explanation. Some birds are accustomed to nesting not in hollows, but in recesses between branches. They rarely settle in completely closed artificial nesting areas. If you want to attract, for example, a gray flycatcher, make it a small box in which the entrance runs the entire width of the front wall.

Just keep in mind that some types of squirrels also like to live in such houses.

There is another nesting site that birds often like better - a nesting box. This is a birdhouse made from a piece of log. Often dried wood is cut into logs of suitable size, turning it into apartments for birds. The height and diameter are selected based on the dimensions that were indicated for a regular birdhouse. The bottom and roof of the nest are made from a piece of board.

Duplyanka - birdhouse made of logs

Safety

It's a shame and a pity when birds' nests are destroyed. This is mainly done by cats, and also by woodpeckers. Therefore, when you make a birdhouse with your own hands, increase the roof overhang. In almost all drawings it is drawn 5 cm long. In order to protect the birdhouse from the cat, it is necessary to make sure that he cannot reach the entrance. To do this, the roof must protrude by at least 7 cm, and it is better to add a couple more - for large specimens. This ledge will also protect from slanting rain: the likelihood that the chicks will get wet becomes even less.

Another option is to put nails on the lid. The cat is unlikely to get hurt, but he won’t be able to sit comfortably - the nails won’t let him.

There are several ways to protect chicks from woodpeckers:

beat the taphole with tin:
drive several nails around the tap hole;
nail a piece of wood on the taphole area, the fibers of which run horizontally.

All this will prevent the woodpecker from expanding the entrance and getting to the eggs or chicks. The last trick - the cover - will also complicate the cat’s task: it is more difficult to reach the chick through a long entrance.

Measures against enemies: 1 - against woodpeckers, 2.3 - against cats

They still escape from cats and possible invaders with the help of protective belts. They are made either from tin strips or from “brooms”. You will understand everything by looking at the picture. Please note that the distances must be maintained within 3-4 cm. Then the animals will not be able to jump over the protective belts. There should be no twigs, feeders or other possible supports between them and the birdhouse.

Where to hang

Where to hang a birdhouse is also a science. If you are going to set it up on a tree, then at a height of at least 2.5-3 meters. There should be no paths or busy places near the selected tree - a well, a bench, etc.

When choosing a place on a tree, keep in mind that there should be no large branches in front of the entrance: the approach must be free. At the same time, you need to unfold it so that the “window” faces south. All this increases the chances that residents will move into your birdhouse.

Another point: you need to tie or nail it so that the “house” is tilted slightly forward. This will make it easier for the chicks to get out, and less rain will clog them.

How to make a birdhouse with your own hands: photo report

We will do the easiest option - with a flat roof. As already mentioned, we take unplaned hardwood boards with a thickness of 20 mm or more. To avoid splinters, it is better to work with gloves. According to the drawing, we cut the blanks. Try to keep the cuts straight and at right angles: there should be no gaps. Immediately after hatching, the chicks are without feathers, and the slightest draft can kill them. Therefore, all edges must be smooth.

We take long thin nails - diameter 1.5-2 mm, length 4-5 cm and a hammer. Let's start assembly. We nail the sides to the front part at right angles. For each - three to four nails.

Turning the workpiece upside down, take the bottom, insert it, and level it. We nail it to the sides. We cover the top with the back wall and also nail it. Don't forget about connecting the back wall with the sides.

Turning the tap hole upside down, we nail the bottom on this side as well. All that remains is to assemble the roof. We take the remaining square - the double of the bottom, nail it so that the visor sticking out in front is at least 5 cm (preferably 7-10 cm, as they said before). If the nails stick out, bend them.

The roof just needs to fit tightly. If something gets in the way, we use a chisel. That's all, the birdhouse with your own hands is ready.

Often a perch is installed under the entrance. Is it needed or not? If there are enough branches around, it’s better not to do it. If there are no branches, you need to either make a perch or a small shelf, although you can do without them. Why? Because cats also rely on them and it is easier for them to reach the chicks with support.
How to make a titmouse, watch the video

Making a nest - a birdhouse from a log

If the feathered people have a choice - to live in a nest box or a birdhouse made of boards - they will choose a nest box. It is more similar to the usual “housing” - a hollow, there are no cracks on the sides and, therefore, it is warmer. They are less noticeable on the tree, which means there is a greater chance of raising offspring. These are advantages from the birds' point of view. Now about the advantages from the point of view of the “manufacturers”: a fallen tree is used for work, and it is free. If you find a suitable one, it will be enough for a large number of birdhouses. About the disadvantages - making nest boxes takes longer and is more difficult: you have to manually pick out the core, leaving the walls intact.

Now about how to find a suitable tree. Aspen is best suited: it usually rots from the inside, but remains hard along the outer edge. Therefore, we go in search of an aspen forest, and there, among the fallen trees, we look for something suitable: we cut several trunks. It is important to find one with a whole edge and a rotten middle - the work will go faster.

It is advisable to find such aspen - with a rotten core, but strong edges

Often such trees have rotten bark, which makes them look unsightly. We peel off the bark and drag the log to the dacha or house. There we cut it into logs of suitable size. Dimensions are determined by diameter. For a birdhouse, the inner diameter of the nest should be 22-30 cm, respectively, the outer diameter - 27-36 cm. For the titmouse, the sections closer to the top are suitable - the inner diameter is 15-22 cm, the outer diameter is 19-26 cm.

The height of the log also depends on the type of house - a titmouse is 20-40 cm high (but they are more willing to settle in low ones), a birdhouse - from 30 to 45 cm. When sawing, try to make the bevel that appears at the bottom level, and at the top - at a slight slope - so that sediment flowed from the roof. To make roofs and bottoms, you will need cutting boards; you can use unedged boards and slabs.

We take the cut log and begin to pick out the core with a chisel. The task is to dig a through hole. After this, even hard wood is easier to chop. To make the process go faster, you can drill holes with a drill, then break out the jumpers with a chisel.

The task is to dig a through hole

As a rule, the rotten core runs out quickly, then you have to chop off pieces of wood using a chisel and a hammer or mallet. But with a hole in the center it is much easier - the longitudinal pieces are chipped off, the work proceeds at normal speed.

The walls should remain about 1.5-3 cm. We try to work on the middle more or less smoothly, without large chips. When the walls are selected, we make a taphole. If there is a knot, you can hollow it out. Or take a crust and a drill, drill in a suitable place. If there is no crown, take a regular drill, drill holes in a circle, then, using the same chisel, cut through the remaining jumpers.

A piece of board 2-2.5 cm thick goes to the bottom. It is nailed or screwed onto self-tapping screws. The protruding parts are cut off as close to the walls as possible.

All that remains is to nail the roof. The same board or slab will do. Before screwing in the screw, drill holes, otherwise the board may split.

Actually, you have already made a birdhouse with your own hands, all that remains is to secure it from attacks by woodpeckers. If there are knots on the walls, it is advisable to coat them with plasticine (regular, children's). They can also be used to seal the gaps that remain between the bottom and the roof and walls: it is rarely possible to fit everything neatly. If you don’t want to cover it with plasticine, you can caulk it with hemp rope. It is applied to the crack and driven into it with a flat screwdriver (actually there are special blades for caulking, but they are large - this is the time, and for “one-time use” you should buy them...). If it doesn't go well, you can hit the handle with a hammer.

Caulking the “seams” with hemp rope

How to decorate a birdhouse

While the birdhouse is new, it looks relatively good, but after a couple of months it will darken. This is good for the birds - it will become less noticeable and they will only benefit from this. But not all homeowners like to look at such an unsightly “decoration”. To improve the appearance, the birdhouse can be painted, but you need to choose “natural” colors - brown, gray, shades of green. You want your birds to survive, right? This means their nest needs to be camouflaged, and not painted in all the colors of the rainbow, attracting all possible predators.

And this one is just ideal - no cracks in the floor))

Titmouse is inhabited

Beautiful decoration and disguise

We hope that now you can not only make a birdhouse with your own hands, but also decorate it competently (from the point of view of the birds).

Drawings with dimensions

Some drawings of birdhouses are in the text, we are posting a few more in this section. Adjusting the dimensions to suit the planned “tenants” is probably not a problem. Also note that the layout is given for a 2 cm thick board. Adjustments are necessary when increasing or decreasing the thickness.

Birdhouse with a triangular roof: drawing, dimensions

Birdhouse with a sloping roof (front wall higher)

A love for birds or a simple desire to get rid of pests on their property makes many summer residents think about making a birdhouse. Not everyone knows that not only starlings, but also many other birds can live in a birdhouse. For example, small owls can live in a birdhouse and will hunt for small rodents, and if you manage to place singing birds in your dacha, then you will be able to enjoy their beautiful trills throughout the warm season. In addition to practical and aesthetic benefits, making a birdhouse together with your children will help develop their love of nature and work.

How to make a birdhouse with your own hands, and what types of birdhouses there are, you can find out by reading our article.

Materials and tools for manufacturing

Professional ornithologists advise using hardwood boards to build a birdhouse:

Alders.
Aspens.
Birches.

Softwood boards are not recommended because they release resin that can harm birds. There is also no need to make a birdhouse from plywood, because it has poor thermal insulation properties and the birds will be cold in such a house. In addition, plywood does not transmit sounds well, and this negatively affects the reaction of birds when predators appear. You should absolutely not build a birdhouse from chipboard or fiberboard; first of all, such a birdhouse will fall apart after the first heavy rain, and secondly, particle boards are made using toxic substances that can harm the health of birds.

Larch boards

In addition to hardwood boards, you will also need:

Hand saw or electric jigsaw.
Hammer.
Drill.
Chisel.
Measuring tape and ruler.
Pencil.
Nails.
Wood glue.
Water-based paint (if you want to paint the birdhouse).

Take into account one more important point: no matter how much you want to build the most beautiful birdhouse, do not under any circumstances treat the surface of the boards with a plane! The boards should not be planed; this is necessary for the chicks to be able to climb up the walls of the birdhouse.

Making a birdhouse

Referring to the drawing below, perform the following procedure:

Make markings by transferring the dimensions of the parts from the drawing to the boards.
Using a jigsaw or hacksaw, cut out the parts according to the markings.
Using a drill or chisel, make a hole with a diameter of 40 millimeters in the front wall of the birdhouse.
Place the side walls in a vertical position and glue the front wall with the manufactured tap hole to them. It is very important to avoid gaps when gluing.
After the glue has dried, strengthen the connections of the side and front walls with nails.
Coat the lower ends of the connected walls with glue and glue the bottom of the birdhouse to them. After the glue has dried, also nail the bottom to the walls.
Attach the back wall in the same way.
Make the roof of the birdhouse by connecting the holding spike and the lid.
Place the roof on the birdhouse. There is no need to nail or glue the roof, since it must be removable so that the birdhouse can be cleaned.
Additionally, for the convenience of the birds, you can install a bar or pole in front of the hole.

A simple birdhouse made of boards is ready! All that remains is to hang it correctly on a tree or pole.

Simple birdhouse

How to make a simple birdhouse, see also in the video:

Birdhouse placement

In order not to harm the trees, you should not nail the birdhouse to a trunk or branch. Many people hang birdhouses on metal wire, but this method also harms the trees, because over time the wire damages the bark and the wood begins to rot. It is best to hang the birdhouse from a thick rope made of organic material or from a wooden crossbar sandwiched between branches.

Methods for installing a birdhouse

When placing a birdhouse, take into account the height; if you hang it very low (less than two meters), then wild and domestic predators can easily reach the clutch or chicks.

When hanging a house for birds, take care of their comfort, give the birdhouse a slightly tilted forward position, this will allow the birds to easily move from the bottom to the entrance.

When choosing a place for a birdhouse, do not place it near thick branches, which in windy weather can damage the structure of the house.

Install a birdhouse with a partner

Since the work of attaching the birdhouse takes place at a fairly high altitude, be sure to work with a partner who will insure and help you on the ground. It is also advisable that you have a mounting belt tied to the tree.

Birdhouses made from scrap materials

You can make an original birdhouse not only from wood. There are many objects from which wild human imagination can create a house for birds, let's look at some of them:

Birdhouse made from a plastic bottle

You can make both a large and a small birdhouse from a plastic bottle, everything depends on the volume. A plastic birdhouse is not suitable as a permanent home for birds, but as a winter feeder it is quite suitable.

To make a birdhouse:

Take a five liter plastic bottle.
Cut a hole with a diameter of 3-4 centimeters at the bottom of the bottle.
Cover the edges of the hole with tape or adhesive tape to prevent birds from getting hurt by the sharp edges.
The fastening of the birdhouse-bottle can be made in the form of a loop protruding from the neck and clamped with a lid.
Additionally, you can insulate the birdhouse by wrapping it with felt and tape.
Finally, you can place dry straw at the bottom of the birdhouse or simply sprinkle bird food.

If you are a creative person, you can also paint the bottle or decorate it with decorative elements.

There are many options for feeders and birdhouses made from plastic bottles, but the manufacturing principle is the same for all, this is cutting out a notch, a fastening device and your imagination for the design.

Instructions for making a birdhouse from a plastic bottle are also in the video:

Birdhouse made of cardboard

Despite the absolute lack of resistance of cardboard to water, it is quite possible to make a birdhouse out of it that will last at least a year. Below are a drawing and instructions for making a birdhouse out of cardboard.

To make a cardboard birdhouse:

Take a sheet of cardboard or disassemble one or more cardboard boxes. The denser and thicker the cardboard, the longer the birdhouse will last.
Draw on the sheet the pattern you see in the picture.
Cut out the drawn parts.
Bend the pieces along the fold lines.
Take wide tape and cover the inside and outside of the parts with it. Also, instead of tape, you can use any waterproof material and glue. On the inside of the front wall, under the hole, stick a piece of coarse fabric so that the birds can easily climb from the nest to the entrance.
Glue the gluing areas with universal glue.
Reinforce the glued corners by placing strips of tape on them.
Use scissors to cut a hole for the tap hole.
Cover the inside of the tap hole with tape.
Make a hole and insert the pole.
Paint the birdhouse with paints or decorate it with decorations.

It is worth noting that it is better to glue the roof in such a birdhouse using tape and, as needed for cleaning, cut the tape with a knife and remove the roof.

Birdhouse made of cardboard

The birdhouse is made of cardboard and is very light in weight, so if it is not fastened well it can be blown away by the wind.

You can also learn how to make a birdhouse out of cardboard from the video:

Shoebox birdhouse

A birdhouse made from a shoebox is made according to the same principle as a birdhouse made from cardboard. The main task is to make the parts of the birdhouse absolutely waterproof. This can be achieved either by gluing a waterproof film, or by coating the parts with water-repellent paint.

Birdhouse made of thick logs

This type of birdhouse is closest to the natural habitat of birds living in tree hollows. To make it you will need:

A piece of log with a diameter of 20-3 centimeters and a length of 40-50 centimeters.
Chainsaw or two-handed saw.
Powerful drill with wide drill bit.
Large wide chisel.
Hammer.
Clamps (for clamping logs during cutting and drilling).
Nails.

Leave the walls 3-4 centimeters.

The technology for making a birdhouse from a log is quite labor-intensive, so it is advisable to carry out this work with a partner.

Clamp the log with clamps.
Cut two dies of 4-5 centimeters thick from the log; they will serve as the roof and bottom of the birdhouse.
Take a drill and start drilling out the inside of the log. When drilling, leave walls 3-4 centimeters thick along the edges of the log.
If the drill length is not enough for through holes, drill from both sides.
Using a chisel and hammer, shape the inside walls of the birdhouse into their final, round shape.
Drill a hole for the tap hole and install a pole or strip underneath it.
Nail the bottom of the birdhouse.
The roof of the birdhouse can simply be attached to a few nails so that it can be easily removed if necessary.

Birdhouse made of logs

Never make a birdhouse from wet wood, otherwise, after drying, it may crack and fall apart. It is also advisable to treat the bottom, roof and areas of the birdhouse unprotected by bark with water-repellent paint.

You can see another option for making a birdhouse from a log in the video:

Birdhouse made from wine corks

The name of the birdhouse is not entirely correct, since wine corks serve only as decoration. The name would be more correct: a birdhouse decorated with wine corks. In addition to its decorative properties, a wine cork has good thermal insulation characteristics, therefore, birds will be warm in a birdhouse decorated in such an unusual way.

Birdhouse decorated with wine corks

If you decide to decorate your birdhouse with wine corks, then prepare the following tools and materials:

Glue.
Glue gun.
Lots of wine corks.

There are three ways to decorate with wine corks:

The first method involves cutting the cork into several round dies. After which, the dies are glued to the roof and walls of the birdhouse.
The second method is to cut the cork longitudinally into two semicircular parts and then decorate the walls of the birdhouse with them.
The third method eliminates cutting. The cork is glued in its entirety.

Multi-apartment birdhouse decorated with corks

There is no point in choosing just one way to decorate; the birdhouse will look more beautiful if you decorate it in all three ways. For example: the roof - with dies, the side walls - longitudinally cut, and the front wall - with whole plugs.

Options, design and decorative elements of birdhouses

There are many options for birdhouses of unusual shape and design, we offer you photographs of some of them:

- Birdhouse - “barrel”. It is made from half-bent slats and round blanks glued together. Plastic elements imitating vines and hemp rope were used as decoration. Such a birdhouse is difficult to make and is not recommended for making by people who do not have experience in carpentry.

- The “three-room” birdhouse is made of three sections of different shapes, connected to each other. The peculiarity of the birdhouse is that it uses the front wall as a removable element, and not the roof as in conventional models.

- Birdhouse - “shoe”. A budget option for a birdhouse made from an old shoe. Boards and galvanized iron were used as protection against precipitation.

- Birdhouse from the body of an old rotary telephone. The birdhouse is not environmentally safe, since substances harmful to birds can be released from the plastic body when heated in salt licks.

- Birdhouse from an old canister. A successful design solution, but the use of metal products for nesting birds is not recommended by ornithologists, because in the summer it is hot in such birdhouses, and in the cold season the birds can freeze.

- Birdhouses decorated with stones. A beautiful option for birdhouses, but a significant drawback can be the weight of the product, especially when installed at a height.

The birdhouse - “hut”, is made of laminated veneer lumber, folded together from a rustic log house. A beautiful birdhouse, but very difficult to make.

Thanks to human imagination, houses for birds will always be replenished with new options; it may turn out that you will become one of the authors of the new birdhouse design!