DIY birdhouse made from waste material. DIY birdhouse: how to make a reliable and comfortable house for birds (61 photos). How to make a birdhouse from a juice or milk carton: step-by-step instructions, photos

Craft: Cardboard house

I suggest you take a look at my master class.

This master class is designed for children in grades 5 - 7 and creative people. All materials for production can be found in any home. The house is made of thick cardboard, covered with non-woven fabric and painted yellow, decorated with flowers and grass, the roof of the house is covered with dermantin.

Target: teach the technology of making a house, develop a plot idea.

A wonderful house will serve as decoration in your winter garden or garden plot. A little free time and only the desire to create will not prevent you from making such a craft.

To create such a wonderful cardboard craft “Bird’s House”, we will need the following materials:

1. Thick cardboard

2. PVA glue

3. TITAN WILD glue

4. Scissors

5. Simple pencil

6. Velvet paper

7. Fluorescent paper

8. Universal yellow color paste

9. Water-based paint

10. Brush

12. Non-woven fabric

13. Dermantin

We make a template: a rectangle 15.5 cm x 29.5 cm for the roof and two squares 14 cm x 14 cm for the sides of the house.

We take the house templates, transfer them using a simple pencil onto thick cardboard and cut out the details of the house.

Now we begin to assemble the house, glue all the parts using TITAN WILD glue (you can use another glue, I used this one).

From non-woven fabric, we cut out the details of the house according to the templates and begin to glue it with PVA glue. We start gluing from the sides one by one: first we smeared the right side and glued the interlining, the allowances were taken to the front and back sides of the house, we will do the same with the left side of the house. We will do this work with the front and back sides of the house (parts without allowances).

After the house is dry, cut out the window of the house. Now let's start painting the house. We mix the color with water-based paint and a little PVA glue and, using a sponge, begin to paint our house.

The next stage is the decorating stage. We cut out flowers, grass, petals from velvet paper according to patterns, cut out butterflies from fluorescent paper (you can use non-loose fabric).

We start from the front side of the house. Glue on the curly grass, then the petals with flowers and finally the grass.

On the side of the house we glue grass, flowers along the grass and a butterfly in the middle of the side of the house, the same work needs to be done with the other side of the house. On the back side - first glue the grass, and the flowers scattered along the grass.

Then we start making the roof. We will cover the roof part with dermantine.

Building birdhouses for birds on your own the first time is not an easy task. However, it is completely solvable. This text will describe in detail how to make a birdhouse. By following the following instructions, you will easily understand the features of the process.

You will also be able to select a tool and material and move on to the active phase.

With the right approach, you can build a birdhouse in a few hours. However, for this it is necessary to understand the material that will be used to make the birdhouse.

You can use wood, plastic, plywood, even paper. However, any material requires pre-processing. And for this you need certain devices.

Required Tools

In this regard, everything is quite simple. Before making a birdhouse, you should make sure that you have various necessary tools. Let's list the main ones. In this case you will have to use:

1. Carpenter's hammer.
2. Chisels of different widths.
3. A hacksaw for wood.
4. Wooden hammer.
5. Ruler, pencil.
6. Drill, drill.

Types of birdhouses

First you need to decide on the size of this structure. The type of birdhouse will depend on this. There are several types of such houses. Namely:

1. Standard birdhouse.

In this case, its dimensions will be as follows:

• length – 16 cm;
• width – 15 cm;
• height – 40 cm;
• taphole diameter – 5 cm.

2. Titmouse. This is a small birdhouse. It will become a wonderful home for birds that are no larger than a tit. This building is suitable for different types birds Perhaps these will be sparrows, redstarts, and pieds. Or the titmice themselves.

In this case, the dimensions will be as follows:

• width – 12 cm;
• length – 10 cm;
• height – 30 cm;
• entrance – 3.5 cm.

3. Wagtail. This type has a protrusion in front of the tap hole. Here will be the following sizes:

• height, width – 15 cm;
• length – 30 cm.

4. Triangular birdhouse. This is a house for common pikas. Its hole is through. It has the following dimensions:

• width – 15 cm;
• height – 25 cm;
• entrance – 3x6 cm.

If you just want to make a birdhouse for the forest or have no idea what kind of birds you have in your garden, then make a standard type. You just need to remember that, for example, tits prefer small, comfortable houses. They feel uncomfortable in large ones. But the starlings will not fit in the titmouse. This is important to consider.

This construction is very simple, it can easily be done in a couple of hours. Its disadvantage is that it, of course, is not particularly reliable and will only last for one year.

This house can be made from any small box. To do this, you need to do the following:

1. Glue the lid to the box itself. It must be securely attached.
2. Cut a tap hole in the lid with a diameter of about five centimeters. The hole should be located no higher than 20 cm from the bottom. For complete convenience, the taphole should be round. To do this, you can glue the edges of the hole several times with wide tape. And it will serve longer.
3. The back wall of the box must be very strong. After all, it is the basis. It would be nice to glue plywood onto it. Wooden planks are also suitable in this case. Instead of glue, it is generally better to use small screws or brackets for fastening.
4. To protect the birdhouse from moisture, you need to paint it. It is desirable that it be odorless.
5. And the very last thing. Wait until everything dries. Then the product should be secured to the base.

You can make a cardboard house in the same way. Only with him there will be more hassle. You'll have to work hard to connect all the parts and give rigidity to the cardboard itself. You can try to make a birdhouse out of paper. However, it is unlikely to be reliable.

Birdhouse from a bottle

Making such a product will not take much time. An hour maximum, maybe even less. To do this, you will need a five or three liter plastic bottle. It all depends on the size of the birdhouse you need. This house is very similar to a feeding trough. Everyone did them in childhood. But there are still small differences.

In such a birdhouse you will have to make a standard entrance. And everything else needs to be done as described above. The only, but significant, disadvantage is that the bottles are often transparent. But birds need comfort and privacy. So in this case, the birdhouse will have to be either painted or covered with paper. This product can be simply attached to a tree by the bottle handle. The care of these structures will definitely be discussed below.

Such a design will take much more time, knowledge and effort. But the result of your work will be a durable and durable birdhouse that will serve the birds for many years. The main thing in this matter is desire. Although it is much more difficult to make a wooden birdhouse, the efforts made will not be in vain. In addition to the set of tools listed above, in this case you will need certain materials:

1. Aspen or birch rough-hewn dry boards.
2. Odorless paint.
3. Wooden planks for reinforcement.
4. All kinds of consumables.

When everything is already assembled, you can begin to construct the house. To do this you need the following:

1. Create a birdhouse design on paper. This is quite significant. You need to measure the birdhouse correctly. Drawing of the designed of this product in this case is necessary. You should also calculate the amount of materials.

2. Then all dimensions should be transferred from paper to material. Using a tool, cut out the necessary parts. Referring to the drawing, we connect all the parts using nails or self-tapping screws. We will get a durable and cozy box. For this house to be very reliable, after connection, not a single part should wobble.

3. Then we make a ledge for the birds in front of the “entrance” to the birdhouse. This device serves for the convenience of birds who want to get into their shelter. And it usually consists of a small plank. Birds love to rest on such a ledge. It also needs to be secured with nails.

4. Next stage. It consists of making a mount for installing or hanging a birdhouse. Most often it consists of special holes on the back wall of the house. It can also be other fastenings - a clamp or a clamp.

Making a birdhouse with your own hands is not a particularly difficult task. You just need to follow certain rules and listen to the advice of experts:

1. The ideal material would be wood, as it is quite durable.
2. You need to use special wood. Birch, aspen, alder, and other deciduous trees.
3. Fibreboard, chipboard and OSB are not recommended for use. Firstly, they are toxic, and secondly, they are not durable.
4. The smell of paint does not attract birds. So its use is not mandatory. If you still decide to take this step, then use odorless paint.
5. You don’t have to make a perch inside. But it’s better to attach the ledge from the outside.
6. The inside of the birdhouse should be rough so that the birds can move comfortably. If the board is smooth, you will have to put notches on it. This can be done with a chisel.
7. It is better to make the entrance round so that the birds do not get injured.
8. The roof of this product can be made removable to make it easier to care for the birdhouse.
9. It is also advisable to make the roof sloping so that moisture does not accumulate. It won't last long if it's even.

Birdhouse installation

This is an important process. Making a birdhouse, the photo of which is provided in this text, is half the battle. You don't need any special experience for this. But then it needs to be placed correctly. After all, if you attach this house poorly, and even in the wrong place, then it can turn over or, even worse, fall.

There are a few tips to follow in this regard:

1. It is necessary to take the choice of location seriously. For example, it could be the end of a house, a strong pole, a tree, a pillar and much more.
2. It is better to install the birdhouse no lower than three meters from the ground. And always in a place where a small predator like a cat, marten or weasel cannot reach.
3. The birdhouse should be strengthened at a slight slope. That is, it must be placed so that raindrops do not fall into the entrance.
4. You can fasten the birdhouse with the same nails and screws. But if you decide to hang the house on a tree, then it is better to use clamps, do not injure the tree itself.

In principle, it is possible to install bird houses during the entire warm season. The birds will settle there in any case. However, the ideal time is early spring. After all, the bird family needs time to settle down and have offspring.

There is nothing complicated in this regard. After you have made and installed the birdhouse yourself, you, of course, want it to serve the birds for as long as possible. And for this you need to constantly look after the house.

How to do this? The answer to this question is quite simple. It doesn't require either extra costs, no extra time. Everything is done simply and quickly. You just need to clean the bird house of dirt and feathers at the end of the season.

Making something with your own hands (a feeder, a birdhouse, various garden structures and much more) is a very exciting activity.

It is not a pity to allocate several hours a week, or even a month, for this work. After all, you are going to do very useful things.

After you make a beautiful decorative birdhouse yourself, the desire to create further will certainly awaken in you. Such crafts will not only create comfort for your garden animals, but will also significantly decorate the interior of your summer cottage.

Having read the above, everyone will be able to figure out how to make a birdhouse. But exactly how it will look depends on individual desire. The main thing in this case is hard work, scrupulousness and patience. All in your hands!

A love for birds or a simple desire to get rid of pests on their property makes many summer residents think about making a birdhouse. Not everyone knows that not only starlings, but also many other birds can live in a birdhouse. For example, small owls can live in a birdhouse and will hunt for small rodents, and if you manage to place singing birds in your dacha, then you will be able to enjoy their beautiful trills throughout the warm season. In addition to practical and aesthetic benefits, making a birdhouse together with your children will help develop their love of nature and work.

How to make a birdhouse with your own hands, and what types of birdhouses there are, you can find out by reading our article.

Materials and tools for manufacturing

Professional ornithologists advise using hardwood boards to build a birdhouse:

• Alders.
• Aspens.
• Birches.

Boards from coniferous species It is not recommended to use because they release resin that can harm birds. There is also no need to make a birdhouse from plywood, because it has poor thermal insulation properties and the birds will be cold in such a house. In addition, plywood does not transmit sounds well, and this negatively affects the reaction of birds when predators appear. You should absolutely not build a birdhouse from chipboard or fiberboard; first of all, such a birdhouse will fall apart after the first heavy rain, and secondly, particle boards are made using toxic substances that can harm the health of birds.

In addition to hardwood boards, you will also need:

• Hand saw or electric jigsaw.
• Hammer.
• Drill.
• Chisel.
• Measuring tape and ruler.
• Pencil.
• Nails.
• Wood glue.
• Water-based paint (if you want to paint the birdhouse).

Consider one more important point, no matter how much you would like to build the most beautiful birdhouse, under no circumstances should you treat the surface of the boards with a plane! The boards should not be planed; this is necessary for the chicks to be able to climb up the walls of the birdhouse.

Making a birdhouse

Referring to the drawing below, perform the following procedure:

1. Make markings by transferring the dimensions of the parts from the drawing to the boards.
2. Using a jigsaw or hacksaw, cut out the parts according to the markings.
3. Using a drill or chisel, make a hole with a diameter of 40 millimeters in the front wall of the birdhouse.
4. Place the side walls in a vertical position and glue the front wall with the manufactured tap hole to them. It is very important to avoid gaps when gluing.
5. After the glue has dried, strengthen the connections of the side and front walls with nails.
6. Coat the lower ends of the connected walls with glue and glue the bottom of the birdhouse to them. After the glue has dried, also nail the bottom to the walls.
7. Attach the back wall in the same way.
8. Make the roof of the birdhouse by connecting the holding spike and the lid.
9. Place the roof on the birdhouse. There is no need to nail or glue the roof, since it must be removable so that the birdhouse can be cleaned.
10. Additionally, for the convenience of the birds, you can install a bar or pole in front of the hole.

A simple birdhouse made of boards is ready! All that remains is to hang it correctly on a tree or pole.

How to make a simple birdhouse, see also in the video:

Birdhouse placement

In order not to harm the trees, you should not nail the birdhouse to a trunk or branch. Many people hang birdhouses on metal wire, but this method also harms the trees, because over time the wire damages the bark and the wood begins to rot. It is best to hang the birdhouse on a thick rope made of organic material or on a wooden crossbar sandwiched between branches.

When placing a birdhouse, take into account the height; if you hang it very low (less than two meters), then wild and domestic predators can easily reach the clutch or chicks.

When hanging a house for birds, take care of their comfort, give the birdhouse a slightly tilted forward position, this will allow the birds to easily move from the bottom to the entrance.

When choosing a place for a birdhouse, do not place it near thick branches, which in windy weather can damage the structure of the house.

Since the work of attaching the birdhouse takes place at a fairly high altitude, be sure to work with a partner who will insure and help you on the ground. It is also advisable that you have a mounting belt tied to the tree.

Birdhouses made from scrap materials

You can make an original birdhouse not only from wood. There are many objects from which wild human imagination can create a house for birds, let's look at some of them:

Birdhouse made from a plastic bottle

You can make both a large and a small birdhouse from a plastic bottle, everything depends on the volume. A plastic birdhouse is not suitable as a permanent home for birds, but as a winter feeder it is quite suitable.


To make a birdhouse:

1. Take a five liter plastic bottle.
2. Cut a hole with a diameter of 3-4 centimeters at the bottom of the bottle.
3. Cover the edges of the hole with tape or adhesive tape to prevent birds from getting hurt by the sharp edges.
4. The fastening of the birdhouse-bottle can be made in the form of a loop protruding from the neck and clamped with a lid.
5. Additionally, you can insulate the birdhouse by wrapping it with felt and tape.
6. Finally, you can place dry straw at the bottom of the birdhouse or simply sprinkle bird food.

If you creative person you can also paint the bottle or decorate it with decorative elements.

There are many options for feeders and birdhouses made from plastic bottles, but the manufacturing principle is the same for all, this is cutting out a notch, a fastening device and your imagination for the design.

Instructions for making a birdhouse from a plastic bottle are also in the video:

Birdhouse made of cardboard

Despite the absolute lack of resistance of cardboard to water, it is quite possible to make a birdhouse out of it that will last at least a year. Below are a drawing and instructions for making a birdhouse out of cardboard.

To make a cardboard birdhouse:

1. Take a sheet of cardboard or disassemble one or more cardboard boxes. The denser and thicker the cardboard, the longer the birdhouse will last.
2. Draw on the sheet the pattern you see in the picture.
3. Cut out the drawn parts.
4. Bend the pieces along the fold lines.
5. Take wide tape and cover the inside and outside of the parts with it. Also, instead of tape, you can use any waterproof material and glue. On the inside of the front wall, under the hole, stick a piece of coarse fabric so that the birds can easily climb from the nest to the entrance.
6. Glue the gluing areas with universal glue.
7. Reinforce the glued corners by placing strips of tape on them.
8. Use scissors to cut a hole for the tap hole.
9. Cover the inside of the tap hole with tape.
10. Make a hole and insert the pole.
11. Paint the birdhouse with paints or decorate it with decorations.

It is worth noting that it is better to glue the roof in such a birdhouse using tape and, as needed for cleaning, cut the tape with a knife and remove the roof.

The birdhouse is made of cardboard and is very light in weight, so if it is not fastened well it can be blown away by the wind.

You can also learn how to make a birdhouse out of cardboard from the video:

Shoebox birdhouse

A birdhouse made from a shoebox is made according to the same principle as a birdhouse made from cardboard. the main task is to make the parts of the birdhouse absolutely waterproof. This can be achieved either by gluing a waterproof film, or by coating the parts with water-repellent paint.

Birdhouse made of thick logs

This type of birdhouse is closest to the natural habitat of birds living in tree hollows. To make it you will need:

• A piece of log with a diameter of 20-3 centimeters and a length of 40-50 centimeters.
• Chainsaw or two-handed saw.
• Powerful drill with wide drill bit.
• Large wide chisel.
• Hammer.
• Clamps (for clamping logs during cutting and drilling).
• Nails.

The technology for making a birdhouse from a log is quite labor-intensive, so it is advisable to produce this work with a partner.

1. Clamp the log with clamps.
2. Cut two dies of 4-5 centimeters thick from the log; they will serve as the roof and bottom of the birdhouse.
3. Take a drill and start drilling out the inside of the log. When drilling, leave walls 3-4 centimeters thick along the edges of the log.
4. If the drill length is not enough for through holes, drill from both sides.
5. Using a chisel and hammer, shape the inside walls of the birdhouse into their final, round shape.
6. Drill a hole for the tap hole and install a pole or strip underneath it.
7. Nail the bottom of the birdhouse.
8. The roof of the birdhouse can simply be attached to a few nails so that it can be easily removed if necessary.

Never make a birdhouse from wet wood, otherwise, after drying, it may crack and fall apart. It is also advisable to treat the bottom, roof and areas of the birdhouse unprotected by bark with water-repellent paint.

You can see another option for making a birdhouse from a log in the video:

Birdhouse made from wine corks

The name of the birdhouse is not entirely correct, since wine corks serve only as decoration. The name would be more correct: a birdhouse decorated with wine corks. In addition to its decorative properties, a wine cork has good thermal insulation characteristics, therefore, birds will be warm in a birdhouse decorated in such an unusual way.

If you decide to decorate your birdhouse with wine corks, then prepare the following tools and materials:

• Glue.
• Glue gun.
• Lots of wine corks.

There are three ways to decorate with wine corks:

• The first method involves cutting the cork into several round dies. After which, the dies are glued to the roof and walls of the birdhouse.
• The second method is to cut the cork longitudinally into two semicircular parts and then decorate the walls of the birdhouse with them.
• The third method eliminates cutting. The cork is glued in its entirety.

There is no point in choosing just one way to decorate; the birdhouse will look more beautiful if you decorate it in all three ways. For example: the roof - with dies, the side walls - longitudinally cut, and the front wall - with whole plugs.

Options, design and decorative elements of birdhouses

There are many options for birdhouses of unusual shape and design, we offer you photographs of some of them:

• • Birdhouse - “barrel”. It is made from half-bent slats and round blanks glued together. Plastic elements imitating vines and hemp rope were used as decoration. Such a birdhouse is difficult to make and is not recommended for making by people who do not have experience in carpentry.

• • The “three-room” birdhouse is made of three sections of different shapes, connected to each other. The peculiarity of the birdhouse is that it uses the front wall as a removable element, and not the roof as in conventional models.

• • Birdhouse - “shoe”. A budget option for a birdhouse made from an old shoe. Boards and galvanized iron were used as protection against precipitation.

• • Birdhouse from the body of an old rotary telephone. The birdhouse is not environmentally safe, since substances harmful to birds can be released from the plastic body when heated in salt licks.

• • Birdhouse from an old canister. Udachnoye design solution, but the use of metal products for nesting birds is not recommended by ornithologists, because in the summer it is hot in such birdhouses, and in the cold period the birds can freeze.

• • Birdhouses decorated with stones. A beautiful option for birdhouses, but a significant drawback can be the weight of the product, especially when installed at a height.

• The birdhouse - “hut”, is made of laminated veneer lumber, folded together from a rustic log house. A beautiful birdhouse, but very difficult to make.

Thanks to human imagination, houses for birds will always be replenished with new options; it may turn out that you will become one of the authors of the new birdhouse design!

One of the conditions for a rich harvest in the garden or garden is the fight against numerous arthropod pests. Using insecticides for these purposes means harming the health of the surrounding environment. It is better to “entrust” this task to birds - they become indispensable helpers in this matter.

But hoping that the birds will fly to your site on their own is short-sighted. A more reasonable solution would be to organize conditions for birds to settle directly next to humans. And for this it is necessary to attract them to the site with ready-made “comfortable housing”. A do-it-yourself birdhouse for birds, equipped according to all the rules, will be a good prerequisite for birds to choose a site for permanent residence. And the family that has settled in it will do an excellent job of controlling garden pests, collecting them from plants and even removing them from the soil.

And simply such proximity to living nature cannot but be beneficial, and it especially brings a lot of joy to children. So it makes sense to roll up your sleeves.

What material to choose for a birdhouse?

When planning to build a bird house, you need to take into account some nuances when choosing material for these purposes. Therefore, first you should consider various options, weigh their advantages and disadvantages.

• Natural wood- This is an ideal material for a birdhouse. It is easy to work with, it is environmentally friendly, has natural warmth, and most importantly, it is natural for the habitat of the vast majority of birds. However, there is also important nuances. So, for the construction of bird housing, you should choose a board made of hardwood.

The trouble is that pine boards over time, they are able to begin to secrete resinous substances, especially in the spring, with the onset of warmth. And this is not only a pungent smell that sometimes scares away some birds. Resin may well stick to the plumage, and sometimes this even causes the death of birds.

• , chipboard and plywood- this is a bad choice. Such wood-based composite materials have a layered structure and therefore do not have adequate resistance to the combined effects of moisture, direct sunlight and temperature changes. Thus, the glue used when joining shavings, chips or veneer sheets may not withstand winter frosts, so microcracks quickly appear at the ends of the material. Over time, for example, during a thaw, water will penetrate into them, which, upon subsequent freezing, increases in volume, which leads to further delamination of the material. This design will not last long in outdoor conditions, even if the birdhouse is painted.

In addition, all these materials contain formaldehyde resins, which act as binding components during manufacturing. Such substances, firstly, have a very noticeable specific odor, and secondly, they emit toxic fumes. Both of these can scare birds away from such a dwelling. Although, despite the recommendations, some craftsmen still choose these materials for making birdhouses.

• Cardboard, even a durable one is still a short-lived material, and a birdhouse made from it will soon fall apart when wet. The roof of a cardboard house may sag or the bottom may fall off, on which the birds build a nest for laying eggs. This means that the clutch or brood will simply die. Therefore, it is better to abandon the idea of ​​using this material immediately.
• Plastic bottle is also not the best option, since it has thin and transparent walls that are unlikely to attract birds. Some craftsmen paint the outside of the bottle, but the paint may peel off under the influence of temperature and moisture. Thin walls in winter period or, conversely, when heated strongly, they will deform, shrink or expand, making clicking sounds that frighten birds. It’s funny to talk about at least some insulation of such a birdhouse.

In addition, plastic bottles are lightweight, so when suspended they will be swayed by strong winds. If you fasten the product to a tree with brackets, then the same wind can simply tear off and carry away the bottle along with all its contents.

So, you can't think of anything better than wood. And then we will consider various options for birdhouses made only from this material.

Varieties of houses for different birds

To attract certain birds or even several species of birds to the site, it is necessary to create comfortable, familiar conditions for them. Due to the fact that birds have different sizes, differ in flight speed and peculiarities of movement on a hard surface, the parameters of the “living space” intended for them will also vary.

Birdhouses according to their design can be divided into two types - prefabricated and “nesthouses”.

• Prefabricated bird houses, of course, are assembled from parts cut to specific sizes from boards.

• A “duplyanka” is a piece of log (log) from which the inner layers of wood have been removed. Walls with a thickness of 15–20 mm are left, depending on the diameter of the log.

When choosing the size and type of birdhouse, it is also necessary to take into account the fact that some birds prefer a certain shape of “house”.

Birdhouse prices

birdhouse

For example, if you plan to attract and house wagtails on your property, then you will have to make a house for them, which will be significantly different from the birdhouse that is familiar to everyone. The height of such a dwelling will be 140÷150 mm, width 150 mm, depth 350÷400 mm including the landing area. In this design it is made in the form of a rather large board measuring 150x100 mm. Thanks to this entrance and narrow entrance, the bird can enter the house on foot.

For redstarts, flycatchers, and white wagtails, a house that resembles a feeder is suitable, since they are reluctant to settle in closed birdhouses. Due to the fact that such dwellings become poorly protected from predators, for safety reasons they must be raised to a height of 2–6 meters, positioned so that there are no thick branches nearby that a cat can use to get to the nest.

The width of the house is 120÷140 mm, the height of the rear wall is 140÷150 mm, the front wall is 80÷90 mm, the depth is 120÷140 mm. The roof of such a house has dimensions of 160x200 mm. Since the entrance clearance is large, the roof must reliably cover it from rain and snow.

The pied flycatcher is a small bird belonging to the tit family. She prefers a more secure home, so it is recommended to make a hole for entering it on the side of the front panel. The depth of the house can vary from 150 to 200 mm, the width - 150 mm, the height of the structure is from 150 to 25 mm, the entrance hole, as a rule, has a square shape and its size can be 35x35 or 40x40 mm.

Another species of bird that is an excellent fighter against garden pests is swifts. These birds prefer to live in boxes fixed under the eaves of the house; sometimes they do not have a front wall at all, sometimes they resemble an ordinary birdhouse, but turned to a horizontal position. The entrance holes - tapholes - are also different; they are not round, but elliptical in shape. Other birds do not settle in such nests, since everything is designed for swift nesting. The height of the house is 180, width 550, length 225 mm, entrance hole size 32x60 mm.

Another housing option for swifts is a box divided into several compartments and reliably protected from precipitation. Having chosen one of the compartments, swifts arrange a nest in it, bringing various natural materials. This version of the shearer can be called “multi-apartment”. And living in entire “colonies” for swifts is a common thing.

The traditional birdhouse is loved not only by starlings, but also by many other birds. This design can have different dimensional parameters.

The house shown in the illustration above has the following dimensions - width 180 mm, depth 200 mm, height 350÷400 mm. The dimensions of the bottom are 160×180, and the roof is 200×200 mm, the diameter of the inlet is 50÷60 mm, the perch (sixth) has a length of 50 mm and a diameter of 10 mm.

Starlings, and sparrows too, get along well in “multi-apartment” birdhouses, which are installed on a metal stand embedded in the ground. The height of such a house must be at least 1500÷2000 mm. Next to the photograph is a drawing of a two-story birdhouse with five compartments, that is, five feathered families can live in it at once. The only thing that would not hurt to add to this design is landing areas on each floor of the building, such as shown in the illustration.

To make such a birdhouse, first internal compartments-apartments are created from prepared parts, which will become a reliable frame for the external façade cladding. In the external panel for each of the “apartments” there is one round taphole with a diameter of 50 mm.

Hollows are a natural habitat for birds in the wild; most bird species live in them, from sparrows to owls and even ducks. Therefore, a birdhouse made from logs will appeal to many feathered inhabitants, as it is made without the use of paints, glues and varnishes. You can always select a log with the required parameters and create comfortable, close to natural living conditions inside it.

Having decided to equip a house for birds, it is necessary not only to choose the correct design, but also to think about the place and method of its installation on the site. This decision will determine not only the attractiveness of the home for potential residents, but also their safety, as well as comfortable conditions raising chicks. By taking some protective measures, you can protect the birdhouse both from weather influences and from various predators.

• First you need to determine how to install the birdhouse. Some people advise securing the bird house so that the entrance faces the south side. However, this decision cannot be called correct, since a birdhouse turned to the sunny side will overheat, which can lead to the death of the chicks. You can turn the entrance to the south only if the birdhouse is shaded by tree branches.
• Another important factor, which must be taken into account when choosing the location of the birdhouse, is the wind rose in the region, that is, from which direction the wind blows more often and more intensely. The fact is that along with the wind, water will enter the birdhouse through the entrance during rain and snow in winter.

That is why the bird house entrance should be turned to the leeward side or, at least, to the side parallel to the predominant direction of the winds.

Prices for edged boards

edged board

• To install birdhouses, tree trunks, house walls, masts made of metal pipes or durable wood can be used.

• Birdhouses are installed at a height of 2÷3.5 meters above the ground, in a place where there are no factors that can cause disturbance to birds. For example, if there are nearby railways, recreation areas or public buildings, then it is recommended to raise birdhouses to a height of 4.5–5 meters.
• It is also necessary to maintain the distance between individual birdhouses. By the way, it depends on the type of birds that have settled. For example, a tit does not tolerate “competitors” within a radius of about 50–60 meters around its habitat. The flycatcher requires about 20 meters of its “own range”. True, many birds are not so picky, and as we have already seen, they get along quite well in entire colonies in “multi-apartment” birdhouses.

• The fastening of birdhouses to one of the supports depends on their design. If the fastening is provided using a pole attached to the back wall of the birdhouse, then it is nailed or screwed with long screws to the base - the pole. Nailing to a living tree trunk - sometimes some people don’t understand the hand. This means that you can secure the birdhouse by tying it with flexible wire or even a strong cord. In other options, birdhouses are hung by special brackets, also attached to the rear wall or roof of the structure.

• In addition, we must not forget that predatory animals pose a great danger to birdhouses. It sounds scary, but in fact the main threat is our beloved cats, whose call of nature draws them to robber adventures, even if they are well supplied with food. If the entrance is too large, the cat can reach the chicks or hidden birds with its paw.

To prevent the cat from reaching the bottom of the birdhouse with its paw, it is necessary to make a sufficiently large canopy. If the drawings show parameters from 40 to 50 mm, then it is worth increasing them even to 80 ÷ 100 mm. Wood consumption will increase slightly, but effective protection for the nest will be provided. Another way to protect birds from cats is to make a gable roof on the birdhouse, with the slopes placed at an acute angle. Even the most dexterous “bandit” will not last long on such a structure.

If the birdhouse is fixed to a tree, then to make it difficult for the cat to lift or descend from above to the birdhouse, the trunk is covered with metal belts 600–800 mm wide. The distance between the bottom of the birdhouse and the protection should be 350÷400 mm, and between the roof and the metal 1300÷1400 mm. When choosing this method of protection, you must remember that the metal belt around the trunk should not prevent the tree from increasing in diameter. That is, either a certain gap must be set between the tree and the belt, or some kind of sliding structure must be made that can increase in diameter.

Another option that can be chosen instead of installing metal is to attach a bundle of branches lowered down to the trunk. The branches must be securely fixed to the surface. A cat will never overcome such an obstacle.

Another danger to the nests of small birds is, oddly enough, woodpeckers. These birds are considered very useful; they are called “forest orderlies.” But along with actively eating tree pests, woodpeckers do not refuse to destroy the nests of small fry.

The entrance to bird houses is traditionally made small; the woodpecker cannot climb into it and is not even able to stick its head in to break an egg with its beak. But often this does not stop him. To get to the masonry, these “beauties” know how to expand the entrance, hammering it with their sharp beak.

To protect the masonry from woodpeckers, other methods are used, which are also shown in the above figure in its first line:

The area around the taphole is lined with metal;

Several nails are driven in a circle around the hole;

It would be nice to hang up a kind of “store” for material that is perfect for building a nest. If the birds find everything they need in one area, they will stay there forever. Chicks raised in a comfortable birdhouse will definitely return to it next year.

Making birdhouses with your own hands

In this section of the publication, four options for making birdhouses will be considered, from the simplest to the more complex. After studying this information, each master will be able to choose an acceptable solution for himself.

The first option is to assemble a kit from ready-made parts

If it is not possible to find a suitable material or there is no ability to prepare from it all the elements necessary to create a birdhouse, then a ready-made set of wooden parts is purchased. You can quickly and easily assemble a bird house from them.

Prices for popular models of screwdrivers

screwdriver

The parts are made of well-dried and treated wood. The manufacturer even provided holes for screwing in self-tapping screws. The kit comes with an assembly diagram, so the job can be completed in just a couple of hours, having only a regular Phillips screwdriver or . This is the simplest option for making a bird house. By the way, a good option to introduce the child to creative work.

The second option is the simplest “classic” model with a pitched roof

This option is more complicated. But only because you will have to find a suitable material and make parts of the required size from it.

Illustration
	Before proceeding directly to the work, you need to select a ready-made one or create your own project-drawing of a product suitable for the parameters. In this case, an easy-to-make model is presented, which can be manufactured even for a novice craftsman.
	From the finished drawing, all dimensions of the parts are transferred to well-processed boards. The thickness of the board can vary and range from 15 to 25 mm. For marking you will need a tape measure, a metal ruler and a simple pencil. After all the structural parts are marked, they are cut out using an electric jigsaw. You can, of course, use a regular hand hacksaw for wood, but burrs will remain on the ends of the parts. And it’s much more convenient to work with power tools.
	On the finished front panel of the birdhouse structure, the location of the entrance hole is marked. Then, it is drilled out using a core drill of the required diameter - in this case it is 50 mm.
	For comfortable movement of birds along the inner surface when climbing to the entrance, it is made “embossed” and rough. To do this, it is scratched and drilled, making blind holes to a depth of 2–3 mm. Scratches and holes are made below the tap hole.
	To prevent the ends of the boards from splitting when screws are screwed into them, first the front panel is placed against the side panel, and small diameter holes are drilled in the right places. Then, using a screwdriver, screws are screwed into the resulting holes, which will create a reliable connection.
	Next, the second wall is fixed to the facade in the same way as the first. The last operation at this stage of work is to fix the rear panel. The parts are fastened in such a way that the right angles of the birdhouse are maintained. It is enough to use three self-tapping screws on each side. In some structures, to more securely fasten the walls together, craftsmen install bars with a cross-section of 25×25 mm inside the structure in the corners, to which the walls are fixed. True, this somewhat reduces the spaciousness of the birdhouse.
	The next step is to mark the bottom of the birdhouse and determine the line along which the screws will be screwed in. They should be at a distance from the edge equal to ½ the thickness of the bottom panel. Holes are drilled along the edges of the drawn line. After this, the square bottom part is installed in place - it should fit tightly between the walls already fixed to each other. Next, self-tapping screws are screwed into the prepared through holes, which finally secures the bottom of the birdhouse. In other designs, the bottom element can be placed on the end sides of the walls and fixed to them with the same screws.
	Next, markings are made on the inside of the roof for mounting a wooden square-liner, which will fit tightly between the walls of the birdhouse when the lid is closed. First, the square is fixed to the roof with one self-tapping screw, which is screwed into its center. Then, after the final adjustment of the roof, the part is additionally secured with four self-tapping screws installed in the corners.
	To preserve the possibility of carrying out internal treatment of the bird's home, it is recommended to fasten the roof not permanently, but hingedly, on one wide or two narrow hinges. At the same stage, a pole-bar is installed and fixed in the middle part of the rear wall, with the help of which the birdhouse will be secured to a tree or other base.
	If you plan to fix the roof permanently, then after installing it in place, through its panel, through holes are drilled into the walls. After this, you can safely screw the screws into them, being sure that they will not split the side panels. Finally, a blind hole is drilled under the tap hole into which the pole is inserted and fixed. Or - a small “take-off platform” or a piece of board or block.

The third option is a birdhouse with a gable roof

This birdhouse model differs from the previous one in the shape of the roof, size and some manufacturing nuances.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	For this version of the birdhouse, it is necessary to prepare parts having the following dimensions: A1 and A2 – 300 × 160 mm - front and rear walls; B – 2 pcs. – 220 × 120 mm - side walls; C – 1 piece – 120 × 120 birdhouse bottom; K1 – 1 pc. 200 × 160 mm - one side of the roof; K2 – 1 pc. 200 × 180 mm - second side of the roof.
	The above dimensions are carefully transferred to the boards. Then the parts are cut out using an electric jigsaw, which will make the edges smooth and without burrs.
	The finished parts are checked against each other so that when assembling the structure it does not happen that unwanted gaps arise between the individual parts. If this happens, you will have to disassemble the birdhouse and adjust its elements to each other. If necessary, minor adjustments are made to complete congruence.
	Now all parts and their edges must be sanded. It is especially important to sand the outer sides of the walls well so that they absorb moisture as little as possible.
	The taphole can be marked and drilled before the structure is assembled or after it is assembled. But it is necessary to work on the inner surface of the facade before the walls are fastened together. Using a knife, drill or other sharp tool, the part of the inner wall under the tap hole is made rough.
	The finished parts in the example under consideration are first glued together with wood glue. The first step is to glue the side panels to the back wall.
	They are pressed tightly and tightened with clamps until the glue dries completely. Then, without removing the clamps, holes for the fasteners are drilled with a thin drill.
	Nails are driven into the resulting holes or self-tapping screws are screwed in. To attach the back and front walls to the side panels, two nails or screws are enough for each side.
	After the walls are fastened together, markings are made on the facade panel for drilling the taphole hole.
	Then, using a core drill with a diameter of 45 or 50 mm, the tap hole is drilled. It is advisable to immediately treat the finished hole with sandpaper.
	The next operation is to install the roof slopes of the birdhouse. First, one, shorter roof part is glued exactly from the ridge line. Then - the second, with an overthrust on the first. After this, you need to wait until the glue sets, and then small holes for fasteners are drilled in the roof slopes.
	In this case, nails 25÷30 mm long are used for fastening.
	The next step is to install the bottom of the birdhouse. If the marking and cutting of parts are carried out correctly, then the bottom should fit very tightly between the walls - sometimes you even have to knock it slightly with a hammer.
	Holes for mounting are drilled at the bottom of the side, rear and front panels. Then nails are driven into them.
	Under the taphole, 20 mm away from its bottom point, drill a hole for the pole.
	The pole is glued into the resulting hole using wood glue.
	The result is a neat birdhouse with a gable roof, which will not allow the cat to lie in a long “ambush” waiting for the birds to appear.

Fourth option– making a nesting birdhouse

This section will discuss the process of making a nest box, which is favored by many species of birds.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	In order to make a nest box, you do not need to make calculations or draw up drawings. The only thing that needs to be observed is the approximate dimensional parameters of “classic” birdhouses, taking into account the diameter of the entrance. To implement this idea, you need to find a log that is suitable in size and type of wood. An aspen or birch log that has been lying outside for about a year is perfect for a nest. After lying in outdoor conditions, the core of these tree species becomes soft, and the outer layers retain their rigidity and strength, which is what we need.
	If the bark of the wood has become unusable, it should be removed from the log. If it is dry and has an aesthetic appearance, it can become a camouflage and decorative element of the nest box. The top side of the log can be cut at an angle to secure a pitched roof, or cuts can be made on both sides of the log for a gable structure. When choosing a single-slope option, it is necessary to provide such a slope so that water flows freely from the roof during rain.
	The next step is to gradually remove the inner part of the wood from the log. It should be noted here that the fibers can be removed along the entire length, or a bottom 40÷50 mm thick is left in the lower part of the workpiece. The second option is more difficult to implement, but you won’t have to fix the bottom panel, and the birds will have more natural living conditions. If such a bottom is left in the log, then it must be made as even as possible. It is easier, of course, to clear the core of the log along its entire length. To select wood, a chisel with a hammer and an electric drill with a long drill are used, which drills several holes that weaken the array of fibers.
	The core is removed from the log so that the remaining walls have a uniform thickness of 20÷30 mm. It is necessary to remove protruding chips and large burrs from the side walls. Next, you need to mark the outer wall of the log where you plan to build a taphole. It should be located at a distance of 70÷80 mm from the top edge of the workpiece. A hole is drilled using a core drill of the required diameter.
	As a bottom, you can use a piece of log (die) 30÷35 mm thick, with a diameter corresponding to the size of the internal hole of the nest. The bottom should fit tightly into the hole. Then, it must be secured in several places with self-tapping screws, for which small holes are pre-drilled. Instead of a piece of log, a round bottom piece can be cut from a board of the same thickness. To determine the exact shape of the circle with minimal errors, you need to place a blank on top of the board and draw the inner diameter of the circle on the board from the inside. The bottom is cut along this line. If, after installing the bottom, small gaps remain between it and the walls of the hollow log, you can simply caulk them with flax fibers.
	The final stage of work is securing the roof. The blank for it is usually made from slab. The roof must be attached very carefully, as the walls of the log can be split. Therefore, first small holes are drilled into which self-tapping screws are screwed. The roof is mounted so that the canopy protrudes above the entrance by approximately 100 mm. To secure the birdhouse to the tree, a pole is mounted on its outer rear wall. If desired, a landing pad or pole can be secured under the taphole. At this point, in essence, the work is completed and the nesting box can be installed in its intended place.

* * * * * * *

Now, having familiarized yourself with the basics of the process of making birdhouses, as well as what models of bird houses there are, and for which birds they are mostly intended, you can choose a certain option.

Of course, the proposed options are among the simplest. But in fact, craftsmen sometimes create genuine masterpieces, which become not only a convenient place for birds to live, but also a decoration for the site. An example is shown in the video below - a birdhouse using prefabricated log house technology.

We have made a birdhouse, now you can start making a doghouse, and you can find the instructions in our new article on our portal -

Video: Original birdhouse - miniature log house

Birds are invariably an indispensable assistant in the fight against all kinds of pests of green spaces. To attract them to your garden plot, you should make a house for them. If you give the birds a comfortable home, then there will be no need to worry about the safety of the harvest. Although a birdhouse is usually called a birdhouse, not only starlings, but also other birds can live in it. Such apartments are home to sparrows, flycatchers, tits, blacklings and swifts.

The location and size of the bird house must be chosen in accordance with the characteristics of different birds. For example, it is more convenient for tits when the height of the birdhouse is about 30 cm, the bottom is 12 cm, and the diameter of the entrance is 3–3.5 cm. As for wagtails, these birds do not have the necessary tenacity of their paws, so a small one should be installed before the entrance ladder. Such a house is suspended under the roof of buildings, at a height of 3 to 5 m. The pika bird feels comfortable in a house with two through holes located on the right and left. The presence of additional entrances allows the bird to hide from predators.

Selection of materials

When thinking about how to make a bird house, you should first take care of the preparation required material for construction.

Coniferous trees are not suitable for building a birdhouse because they emit resins, causing inner space it will become sticky.

Toxin-releasing materials are also unacceptable for the construction of a bird house, including fiberboard and chipboard. Plywood is also not an option, because it practically does not allow sound to pass through, and feathered friends need very good audibility to avoid danger. In addition, plywood does not retain heat well, so it will be difficult for birds to hatch their brood. The best material for a birdhouse is larch wood. The inner surface of the boards should remain rough. This will make it easier for the birds to get out. On a smooth surface, you can make horizontal notches using a chisel.

Drawing and dimensions of a wooden structure

A drawing of the product can be made directly on the boards. They need to be laid out on the table. For marking you will need a pencil and a square. Particular care should be taken to lay out the boards for the front and back walls, as well as for the side surfaces. For these purposes, boards of different widths are needed. At the end you should get 7 blanks with preset parameters:

• 2 side parts 15 cm wide, made from edged boards;
• 3 parts for the front, back wall and lid, with a typical size of 30x20 cm;
• 2 pieces measuring 15x15 cm, used for the bottom of the roof and the bottom of the birdhouse.

To simplify the connection of parts, they need to be cut out as carefully as possible, and then signed with a pencil.

The typical size of a bird house is 20 cm wide, 15–20 cm deep and 30 cm high. Spacious apartments for birds are not always the case best idea. Of course, a large house will house more chicks, but feeding a brood consisting of many individuals is not always within the power of the feathered parents! If the chicks do not receive the necessary care and are poorly fed, they will not be able to make long flights and will grow up sick. And, conversely, in a compact house it is possible to shelter only 3 chicks, but they will grow up healthy and capable of maintaining the strength of the population of their species.

Blueprints

Assembly sequence

Initially, the front wall is connected to the side ones. Nails should be driven in along the edges and center of the board. It should be a U-shaped structure. Before further connection, it is important to check the reliability and rigidity of the elements that are already connected. To strengthen it, you can hammer in a few more nails between those that were hammered in earlier.

To avoid driving a splinter into the skin, it is better to work with wood while wearing gloves.

The back wall and bottom of the structure are assembled using the same method. To round the internal corners, you can nail a wooden bead to the bottom. All elements are fixed with nails. If necessary, you can strengthen the structure with additional nails. Now you need to prepare the roof, which must be removable. This will allow you to clean the birds' home if necessary. The edges of the roof should protrude beyond the dimensions of the birdhouse itself. This is especially important to do on the façade side. This way you will protect the bird house from rainwater and other precipitation.

The roof must consist of two parts - a sleeve and a main part. The roof is held in place by a second piece. It needs to be adjusted to size and the two parts connected with nails. Now a board or perch is installed on which the birds will sit before entering their comfortable home.

When painting a finished birdhouse, it is better to use soft colors. Dirty green and brownish tones are perfect. In this case, it will be more difficult for predators to detect the bird’s house.

Economy version of the birdhouse

In some cases, you can make a temporary birdhouse using available materials, such as cardboard. Although this type of construction cannot be compared with its wooden counterpart, it may well become a haven for birds for the season. Thick corrugated cardboard is used as the starting material. The following materials are needed for work: corrugated cardboard, starch, self-adhesive paper with a laminated coating and twine. Tools: scissors, ruler, cardboard cutter, pencil, square, compass.

First, all the blanks are marked; they all must be duplicated. You need to make a paste from starch. Finished parts need to be glued in pairs. All walls will be double, which increases their strength. A hole for the tap hole is cut in the front wall. 4 small holes are made in the back wall for twine, thanks to which the house can be tied to a tree. The walls of the birdhouse are glued end to end at right angles. The end result should be a box. While drying, it should be wrapped with thread.

The roof should consist of two parts glued together. Its outer part must be made with allowances. This product will be more durable if you paste it on the outside with laminated paper.

From a box or plastic bottle

If there is nowhere to get lumber, then you can make a bird house from a ready-made box, for example, from juice or milk, with a capacity of more than 1 liter. It must first be washed and dried. After this, the taphole is cut out. To strengthen the bottom, you can use thick cardboard. Small holes are made on top of the box so that the wire on which the birdhouse will be attached can be threaded through. The outside of the product can be covered with decorative laminated paper.

To make another option, very few materials are used: plastic bottle, paint to color the bottle or laminated paper, wire and knife. A hole for the tap hole is cut in the upper part of the 5-liter bottle. Two holes should be drilled in the roof for the wire on which the structure will be attached. Birds feel uncomfortable in a transparent house. Therefore, to create coziness, the bottle can be painted or covered with laminated paper.

As you can see, making a simple version of a birdhouse is not at all difficult. However, in order for the bird house to fully perform its tasks, it is important to install it correctly.

Installation rules

It is necessary to follow some installation rules. It is commonly read that birdhouses need to be installed in early April, but birdhouses can be installed at any time of the year. The installation height is on average 3–5 m, this applies to cottages and villages. In cities, such structures are mounted at a height of 8–10 m.

The inlet should be on the side with minimal wind. The birdhouse should be installed in the shade or partial shade; it should not be exposed to direct rays of the sun. The structures need to be suspended at a certain distance from the branches. This will protect birds from domestic cats and other predators.

The position of the birdhouse should be strictly vertical. A slight forward bend is acceptable, but no backward bend is allowed. If the structure is made of durable materials, then you need to provide access inside for annual cleaning.

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