Make an Adorable Bird-Shaped Birdhouse

Orange bird shaped birdhouse — Heidi Hess
Get ready for nesting season with a bird-shaped birdhouse

This little bird-shaped birdhouse is simple, sweet and versatile! If you already have a nest box that matches the dimensions needed, then you’ll be able to make this creative birdhouse almost before you can say “black-capped chickadee!”

Don’t forget to check this birdhouse hole size chart.

Bird-Shaped Birdhouse Materials:

5-in.-square box (built, reclaimed or purchased)
Lauan plywood 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:

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 1

Cut one 5×5-in. square, two 5×4¾-in. rectangles and two 4¾x4½-in. rectangles out of ¼-in. plywood, clear pine, shelf board, barn board or similar.

Step 2

Glue one 5×4¾-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.

Cut Out Bird Shape

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.

Paint and Assemble

Step 10

Prime and paint the outside of the box and bird shape, leaving the inside unpainted.

Step 11

Hinge the bird-shaped cutout to the birdhouse using a simple 1-in. butt hinge or similar connector.

Heidi Hess

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!

Next, learn how to make a simple one-board DIY birdhouse and a DIY bluebird house.