Birdhouse Plans (7 SIMPLE Steps with Pictures)

Below are simple, free bird box (birdhouse, nest box) plans that can be used to attract bluebirds, swallows, chickadees, nuthatches, warblers, woodpeckers, wrens, and other birds to your backyard or garden. This simple DIY birdhouse (nest box) can be made from a single board and requires only a few tools to assemble. Find more bird houses and feeders.

Materials and Equipment Needed to Build this Simple Birdhouse

Wood: 1″ x 6″ x 5′ (2.5cm x 15cm x 150cm)
Screws: Approximately 1.5″ (4cm) long
Power drill
Hand saw
Drill bit to match appropriate entrance hole size

Step 1. Cut the board using the birdhouse plans below.

Cut the 1×6 board as shown in the images below. Optionally sand all pieces smooth. Personally, I am using cedar. However, pine would also make a great choice.

Birdhouse pieces cut and ready for assembly.

Step 2. Drill the entrance hole for the birdhouse.

Drill a hole for the entrance using either a spade bit or forsnter drill bit. The plan above specifies a 1.5″ hole 6″ off the floor. A 1.5″ entrance hole is the optimum diameter for bluebirds and tree swallows. However, chickadees, nuthatches, warblers, woodpeckers, and wrens will also gladly make this their home. See Bird House Hole Size if you want to attract a specific bird.

Step 3: Pre-drill the holes.

Drill pilot holes to help prevent the wood from splitting. Ideally this hole should be at least as large as the screw’s minor diameter.

Step 4: Assemble the sides, floor, and back of the birdhouse.

Use a combination of glue and screws to attach the sides, floor, and back of the birdhouse together. A waterproof wood glue will help extend the life of the birdhouse. Personally, I recommend using stainless steel trim screws as shown below. The smaller screw head is less obvious and helps prevent the wood from splitting. If you pre-drill the holes, these screws will countersink themselves nicely because the head is not much larger than the pilot hole.

Trim screws have a smaller head than regular screws.

Step 5. Attach the roof to the birdhouse

Attach the roof panel to the birdhouse using only screws. This way, it can later be opened for cleaning. Find other ways to add a clean out door to this birdhouse. The top edge of the roof panel can be optionally cut or sanded to approximately 80 degrees for a perfect fit as shown below. You might also want to consider adding a perch or porch to your birdhouse.

Drill several 1/4″ holes in the floor for drainage.

Optionally, cut roof panel at angle for a better fit.

Step 6. Paint or finish your birdhouse.

In our case, we applied a linseed-oil. This finish helps accentuate the grain and helps make the wood more resistant to damage.

Paint or apply a finish to your birdhouse.

Step 7. Hang or mount your birdhouse.

Mount your birdhouse and see which bird will call your habitat home. See How to Hang a Birdhouse for the recommended mounting height for various birds. Your new birdhouse should provide you excitement for many seasons to come.

Enjoy your birdhouse for seasons to come.

Building a birdhouse can be fun family project. Furthermore, a birdhouse will help encourage neighborhood birds to move in and raise families in your backyard. Hence providing you and your garden natural pest control.