Heidi Hess
Materials:
- 5-in.-square box (built, reclaimed or purchased)
- Lauan for “bird” shape
- Small finish nails
- Picture-hanging hardware or wire and 2 screws
- 1-in. butt hinge
- Screen door hook and eye
- Glue
- Exterior latex primer and paint
- Shellac or other outdoor varnish
- Bird template
- Jigsaw
- Screw gun or drill
- 1¼-in. to 1½-in. hole saw
- Clamps
- Hammer
- Fine-grit sandpaper
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Cut one 5x5-in. square, two 5x4¾-in. rectangles and two 4¾x4½-in. rectangles out of ¼-in. plywood, clear pine, shelf board, barn board or similar.
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are building the box, follow the instructions from step 1. If you already have a box, begin with step 6.
Step 2
Glue one 5x4¾-in. rectangle to one 4¾x4½-in. rectangle. The 4¾-in. dimension is the height of both rectangles. Once joined, they will form an “L” with a short side, and a longer side but both the same height. Clamp until dry. Repeat with the other 2 rectangles.
Step 3
Glue the two L-shaped side sections to the 5-in.-square box bottom. Make sure that the sections come together to form a perfect square. Clamp until dry.
Step 4
Once dry, reinforce the joints with small finish nails or brads.
Step 5
Sand box with fine-grit sandpaper in preparation for painting.
Step 6
Print out the template and cut out the bird shape.
Step 7
Trace bird onto lauan; cut out with the jigsaw.
Step 8
Using a hole saw attached to a screw gun or drill, bore a 1¼-in. to 1½-in. hole in the lauan. This is the bird’s entrance, so be sure to place it accordingly.
Step 9
Sand the face and edges smooth in preparation for painting.
Step 10
Prime and paint the outside of the box and bird shape, leaving the inside unpainted.
Step 11
Hinge the bird cutout to the box using a simple 1-in. butt hinge or similar connector.
Step 12
Attach screw-eye with hook to the back of the bird and the other screw-eye to the side of the box so that they meet when the hook closes.
Step 13
Seal the outside of birdhouse with several coats of shellac.
Step 14
Attach picture-hanging hardware to the back of the box and display in your backyard!
Heidi Hess
Tuire says
cute but I would use stronger hanging method than picture frame hook. Raccoons will tear this down in no time. Screws or metal wire are safer.
Jo Watts says
Where is the template? All I got was the instructions and picture that were in the magazine.
Dee says
Refer to step 6.
Eena says
Link in Step 6 results in an error message!
Liz says
I couldn’t find the Template for the birth also. I guess we will have to find one another place.
Sharon says
I printed out the template but it is small. What is the actual size supposed to be?
Liz says
They took the template down. We don’t have anything to use now.
Beverly New says
If you use the template that came with the article, the 5 x 5 square is way too big for the template. Can you please provide the correct dimensions of the box or indicate that the template should be made larger. HELP!!!!!
David Kehoe says
Template doesn’t fit 8.5″x11′ paper. Beak & tail both cut off.
Jackie says
HI, I make them also but mine are made a little different i wish i could post a picture snail me if you’d like to see one.
Lonell Thorp says
Where are the templates for the other birds
Bobbie Rogers says
Is there some reason the hook is upside down?
CHERYL says
NO TEMPLATE, ONLY ERROR MESSAGE