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Birdhouse Plans
An easy birdhouse made from cedar boards or exterior plywood offcuts: a back that doubles as the mounting board, two sides, a front with the entrance hole, a floor set 6 mm up so water drains away, and a roof that overhangs the front. The defaults are a bluebird birdhouse, 5 × 5 in inside with a 9 in front, and the plan gives every measurement for the size you enter. Every cut is square; only the tops of the sides are cut at a slope, so it is a simple first woodworking project for beginners. It is a good first project, and with the sizes changed the same box suits bluebirds, wrens and chickadees.
- Default size
- 127 × 230 mm
- Parts
- 6 pieces · 5 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 carcass + 1 door
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Build time
- About 2 hours
- Edge band
- 0 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back (mounting board) · grain | 1 | 370 | 163 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Side · grain | 2 | 270 | 127 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Front · grain | 1 | 230 | 163 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
2 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- Cut the top of each side at a slope, from the full height at the back down to the front height, so the roof sheds rain.
- Drill the entrance hole before assembly: 38 mm (1 1/2 in) for bluebirds, centred about 150 mm (6 in) above the floor.
- Clip the four corners of the floor and drill two 6 mm holes under the roof on each side: water drains and air moves.
- Fix one side with two pivot nails at the top front and a screw at the bottom, so it swings open for cleaning.
Common mistakes
- Adding a perch under the hole: birds do not need it and it helps predators.
- Painting the inside or using treated wood: it harms the chicks. Leave the inside bare.
Tools you need
- Saw
- Drill with a 38 mm (1 1/2 in) hole saw or spade bit
- Hammer or drill/driver
Frequently asked questions
What size should a bluebird house be?
For eastern bluebirds: a floor of 4 × 4 to 5 × 5 in (100–127 mm) inside, an entrance hole of 1 1/2 in (38 mm) with its bottom about 6 in (150 mm) above the floor, and 8–12 in of height inside. The defaults here follow that. Mountain bluebirds need a 1 9/16 in (40 mm) hole.
What wood is best for a birdhouse?
Untreated cedar: it lasts outdoors without paint and insulates well at 3/4 in (18 mm) thick. Exterior plywood works too. Never use pressure-treated wood, and leave the inside unfinished.
What hole size for which bird?
About 1 1/2 in (38 mm) for bluebirds and tree swallows, 1 1/8 in (29 mm) for chickadees and house wrens. Do not add a perch: it only helps predators.
Can I build a wren or chickadee house from this plan?
Yes: set the floor to 100 mm (4 in) and the front to 200–230 mm (8–9 in), and drill a 29 mm (1 1/8 in) hole about 150 mm (6 in) above the floor. That size suits house wrens and chickadees and keeps larger birds out.
Where should I hang a birdhouse?
On a post about 5 ft (1.5 m) high facing an open area, with the hole turned away from the prevailing wind. A baffle on the post keeps cats, snakes and raccoons out.
