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Build 3 different birdhouses
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Birds of a feather will flock to this handsome trio of houses
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By Gary Walchuk, photo by Roger Yip, illustration by Len Churchill
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For some reason, birdhouses are overlooked as worthwhile woodworking projects and are supposedly only for novice beginners. But designing a great birdhouse is harder than it looks. The design must enable you to open it up for an annual cleaning-without yearly maintenance, birdhouses plug up with nesting material and debris and become vacant in a few seasons.
The Blue Wren
Start by making full-size 1/4"-thick hardboard templates of the house front and the twin trim parts beneath the roof peak. Trace an outline of the front onto 3/4"-thick pine and drill a 1 1/4"-dia. entrance hole. Trace the house back using the same template, but this time cut the bottom horizontally instead of to the front round shape. Trace and cut the trim from wood scraps using a handheld jigsaw or scrollsaw.
Making the Sides and Bottom
Trim the wood to 7" wide and cross cut the sides to length. Bevel the top edge 67° and the bottom edge to 78°. The overall length, measured along the inside surface, should be 8 3/16".
Cut the bottom from 6"-wide stock, bevelling the left and right sides to 78° to match the sloped sides. Cut the two roof sections next. Make two bevel cuts 55° and 7" apart for the overall peak-to-eaves length. Profile the front edge of each roof on both sections. Don't apply any glue to the back panel during assembly.
For the next step, attach the sides to the front with weatherproof glue and counterbored #8 x 1 1/2" deck screws. The side front edges should extend 1/4" beyond the front. Fasten the bottom with counterbored screws and glue.
Next, lay the back piece flat on your bench and put the partially assembled house on top. This helps register the sides so the roof lines up properly. Secure these to the front and sides, but not to the back.
The Trim
Before installing the trim, chisel a flat mounting surface for it to sit on. Fasten the trim with glue and finishing nails.
Now cut the mounting board, joining it to the back of the house 3 3/4 " from the bottom.
Drill a perch hole 5/16" dia. x 1/2" deep and about 1 1/4" below the entrance hole. Apply some glue and tap in a 3"-long dowel. Cover all screw holes with tapered wooden plugs, trimmed flush for finishing. Sand the entire house and apply your favourite outdoor wood finish to the outer surfaces only. One screw driven through each side should hold the house to the back panel mounting board assembly.
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