Make a Birdhouse

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How to make a birdhouse from start to finish

First decide what kind of birds you wish to attract.

Name of bird
Wren
Chickadee
Flicker
Purple Martin
Downey Woodpecker
Small Owl
Tufted Titmouse
White Breasted Nuthatch

Blue Birds see below

Diameter of gourd
6"
8"
16"
6"
12"
10"
8"
8"

Hole size
1"
1 1/8"
2 1/2"
2" to 2 1/2"
1 5/8"
1 1/2"
1 1/4"
1 1/4"

BLUEBIRD Holes:

Eastern Bluebirds use 1 1/2 inch round holes, 1 3/8 x 2 1/4 inch vertical oval holes, or 1 1/8 inch horizontal slot entrances
Western and Mountain Bluebirds use 1 9/16 inch round openings
Where the ranges of the species overlap use 1 9/16 inch round openings
Oval holes should only be used in eastern bluebird boxes with moderate to small dimensioned gourds to reduce the possibility of starling use.

Gourd Sizes:

Eastern Bluebirds: floors of gourd should be approximately 4 inches in diameter
Western or Mountain Bluebird boxes should be at least 5 x 5 inches or 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches to accommodate larger clutch sizes

Lets get started

Supplies

	Choose a dried, cured, thick shelled and clean gourd
	a ruler to measure and a pencil to mark with
	green floral wire
	a nail to pierce the gourd
	a cutting tool: either a hand jigsaw or Dremel tool, exacto knife or a serrated knife
	Sand paper to sand your hole and make it smooth
	an outdoor spray or brush on sealer
	and for those that wish to decorate, stain or paint your birdhouse the rule of thumb is if you can to it to wood you can do it to gourd so stains or painting is fine as long as you seal with an outdoor sealer afterwards.

Measure your gourd	Measure your hole	Draw your hole on your gourd with a pencil
Pierce your gourd with a nail to insert your jigsaw needle	Cut your hole with a hand jigsaw. If you do not have a hand jigsaw, you may try a dremel tool with a wheel blade and I have been known to use exacto knives, serrated knives, and hack saw blades	Hand jigsaws are easy to use and very precise. If you are interested in purchasing a hand jigsaw you can check them out at www.micromark.com
Hole cut, you may wish to sand the hole to smooth out rough edges.	Shake the seeds out into a bowl	With a nail pierce the bottom with a nail with 4 holes for drainage.
Pierce the gourd at the top with a nail to insert wire for hanging.	Hang your gourd with green floral wire.	To finish your birdhouse you may stain or paint. Then spray or brush on a sealer that is specific for outdoor elements. Place your birdhouse in a tree or under a porch eave. Bring your birdhouse in for the winter clean it out and recoat with sealer when putting out in the spring. Your hose will last indefinitely.
You may wish to add a perch for your gourd by piercing the gourd with a nail or screw driver an inch under your hole. then use a good strong gourd stem and insert in the hole, glue with super glue for added strength.	Hang your gourd with green floral wire.

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