How to Make a Coffee Can Birdhouse
Updated: Mar. 21, 2024
Build a DIY coffee can birdhouse with this simple recycled crafts project that will benefit your favorite nesting birds.
DIY Coffee Can Birdhouse Project
This DIY coffee can birdhouse is simple to build, costs pennies to make and is a great way to recycle coffee cans and scrap wood. As a bonus, it’s a breeze to clean out after nesting season—just slip out the dowel and empty the can.
These are great projects for children’s groups, and they cost about $2 each to make. Have your friends and neighbors save their coffee cans and pre-cut the wood yourself. Then let the kids paint and assemble them. If you plan to decorate your birdhouse, sand and paint the wood pieces before assembly. Check out these painted birdhouse ideas for some inspiration.
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Coffee Can Birdhouse Materials:
- Two scraps of 3/4-inch-thick pine board, measuring at least 4-1/2 inches square
- Two 1/4-inch-thick plywood or wood paneling scraps, measuring at least 6 inches by 9 inches each
- 1/4-inch dowel, 8-1/2 inches long
- 1-1/4-inch finishing nails
- One 11-ounce coffee can
- Hooks, wire or a chain for hanging the birdhouse
- Table saw
- Power drill
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Cut the ends of the birdhouse 4-1/2 inches square from scrap pine boards. Locate the entrance hole in one board by measuring 3-7/16 inches from one corner. (When measuring, place your ruler diagonally from corner to corner and draw a light pencil line.) Be sure to mark the corner from which you’re measuring—you’ll need to measure from it again in step 4. Drill a 1-inch entrance hole for wrens or the appropriate-size hole for other small birds you’d like to attract.
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Step 2
Hold the front and back pieces together in a vise or clamp them together. Locate the perch by measuring 1-1/4 inches from the same corner used in step 2 and mark this spot on the pencil line. Then drill a 1/4-inch hole through the front piece (with the entrance hole) and most of the way through the back.
Step 3
Cut the roof pieces from 1/4-inch plywood or paneling scraps. Cut one piece to measure 5-3/4 inches x 9 inches, and the other 6 inches x 9 inches. Nail the roof pieces to the front and back boards with 1-1/4-inch finishing nails. The large roof piece should overlap the smaller at the peak. (If you’re using paneling, the back side should face out.) Leave enough room between the front and back pieces so you can easily insert the coffee can.
Psst—here’s how to build a one-board DIY birdhouse.
Step 4
Clean and dry the coffee can (watch out for any sharp edges). Drill two 1/4-inch holes in one side of the can for drainage. Drill two more 1/4-inch holes on the opposite side of the can for ventilation.
Step 5
Place the coffee can between the front and back boards. Cut a 1/4-inch dowel to 8-1/2 inches long and insert it through the perch holes. If the fit is too snug, lightly sand the dowel, which holds the can in place.
Step 6
Attach a chain, hooks or wire for hanging the coffee can birdhouse. With any luck, you won’t have to wait long for your favorite feathered friends to discover the new home you’ve provided for them. Just sit back, pour another cup of coffee and enjoy the show.
Next, check out proven tips to attract nesting birds.
