The preferred building material for most birdhouses is redwood, western cedar, or cypress; it weathers better than pine or maple. The preferred building material for most birdhouses is redwood, western cedar, or cypress; it weathers better than pine or maple.
When purchasing plywood for outdoor projects, use exterior grade because it can better handle the elements. If you use untreated lumber, it will need to be painted with exterior-grade paint.
Hardware, such as hinges, should be brass or galvanized, and nails and screws should be rust resistant.
Birdhouses need ventilation and drainage holes. Feeders also need small drainage holes.
A table saw, hammer, screwdriver, and drill will be the most useful tools. For some projects, other tools may be needed, such as a jigsaw.
For drilling circular entrance holes, spade bits will do the trick. A countersink bit will allow you to insert a screw into the wood below the surface. You can fill the hole with wood filler and sand it for a smooth finish.
A speed square or combination square will come in handy when you’re measuring angles.
Measure and mark all pieces for a project before you cut anything so that you use the wood efficiently.
Always drill a small hole, called a pilot hole, through the wood and into the second piece of wood before you screw them together. This makes it easier to insert screws and creates a tighter fit. It also helps to prevent splitting.
Lumber is sold in standard sizes that are not the same as its actual finished measurement. For example, a 1-inch × 6-inch piece is actually three-fourths inch thick × 5-1/2 inches wide.
Never paint, stain, or treat the inside of birdhouses.
Think about where a birdhouse or feeder will be located in your yard before you add the base or back.
Songbirds do not need a perch on their houses; a perch will only allow predators to gain entry.
Strongly consider using a predator guard on birdhouses and feeders.
Never make birdhouses of metal; they will become much too hot in the sun.
Birdhouse walls should generally be about three-fourths inch thick.
Sloped roofs will help the water drain off more easily.
Birdhouses should be placed a minimum of four feet above the ground.
Wild birds seem to be more attracted to birdhouses painted in shades of brown, tan, or gray, which blend in with the environment.
If you paint the exterior of a birdhouse, use a water-based paint.