Patriotic Wren House

Let's Start Building

Cut the birdhouse pieces from a 5-foot 1-inch x 6-inch pine board as pictured in the board layout.
On the front piece, make two 45° angle cuts to form a centered peak.
Save a triangular piece from the front board for the rear support or make one from the corner of a scrap board.
Place the front of the birdhouse on top of the mounting board, lining them up so the bottom and sides are flush. Hold the pieces firmly in place and, with a pencil, draw the roof line onto the mounting board. Fasten the triangular roof support on the mounting board so the right angle (90°) aligns with the peak you just drew. Predrill the holes, then attach with 1-5/8-inch deck screws.
"Dog-ear" the top corners of the mounting board by cutting 1 inch off each corner at a 45° angle.
On the front piece, measure 5 inches from the bottom and drill a centered 1-inch entrance hole with a spade bit. Drill a 5/16-inch hole about 1 inch below the entrance if you'd like to add an optional perch, however, it's not necessary for the birds' sake.
Attach the front piece to the sides, then the sides to the mounting board using 1-5/8-inch deck screws (drill pilot holes first). The bottom edges of all four pieces should be flush.
Drill four 1/4-inch drainage holes in the floor approximately 1-1/2 inches from the edge. Set the house on top of the floor board so it's flush on all sides. Then, holding the floor in place, turn it over and drill pilot holes from the bottom for 1-5/8-inch deck screws.
Put the smaller roof piece in place and attach it to the front piece and through the mounting board with 1-5/8-inch deck screws. Drill pilot holes.
Position the larger roof piece (this will be the door) so it overlaps the smaller piece at the peak. Allow 1/16-inch clearance next to the mounting board so it doesn't rub when you open it. Attach the longer roof piece to the smaller one with a 1-1/2-inch hinge.
Screw the hook into the underside of the right overhang and the eye into the right side of the house to keep the door closed. Make sure the hook and eye are on the snug side so the house is safe from predators.
Glue the optional perch in place. If you're leaving the house unfinished, your work is done—just mount it with 2-1/2-inch deck screws (drill pilot holes for the screws in the mounting board first) and wait for the wrens to move in. If you want to give it a patriotic paint job similar to Mary's, see the story on the next page for instructions.