How to Make a Gourd Birdhouse (DIY Nesting Box)

A gourd birdhouse or nesting box can be used to attract various species of birds including woodpeckers and purple martins. Birds are naturally attracted to gourd birdhouses because of their size and shape. Find more free bird houses plans or discover more nesting boxes and bird feeders.

Gourd are readily available at farmers’ markets or can be easily grown. Making a gourd birdhouse is an activity that you can do with your children. Painting and decorating the gourd is something every child would enjoy. Our guide on how to make gourd birdhouses will show you just how easy and affordable it is to make a gourd birdhouse. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Find and Clean a Gourd.

Find a gourd that has been drying for at least 3-6 months. To check if your gourd is ready, shake the gourd and see if the seeds inside rattle. If the seeds rattle, then your gourd is ready! During the drying process, mold might grow on the gourd, especially if it is dried indoors. Clean or scrape the dirt and mold off the gourd using sandpaper or steel wool.

Step 2: Drill a Bird Entrance Hole in the Gourd.

The easiest way to create an entrance hole in the gourd is using a drill and a hole saw. The hole should be towards the center of the gourd. Avoid having the entrance hole facing the sky or the ground. Clean the edges of the hole with a piece of sandpaper. Also drill small drainage holes in the bottom of the gourd. Furthermore, drill small holes at the neck of the gourd for hanging and ventilation purposes. See Bird House Hole Size if you want to attract a specific bird. For example, purple martins like birdhouses to be located 10 to 15 feet from the ground. However, wrens prefer a smaller entrance hole and a mounting height of 6 to 10 feet above the ground.

Step 3: Clean the Inside of the Gourd.

After drilling the bird entrance hole shake the gourd or use a spoon to scrape out the inside of the gourd. You will find seeds on the inside that you can use in the future to plant and grow gourds.

Consider adding a perch to your birdhouse.

Step 4: Optionally Paint Your Gourd Birdhouse.

Optionally paint your gourd birdhouse. If you plan on adding decorative designs start with a white primer paint. After that dries, paint and decorate your birdhouse however you want. Be creative!

Step 5: Hang or Mount Your Gourd Birdhouse.

Mount your birdhouse and see which bird will call your habitat home. See How to Hang a Birdhouse for tips on location, mounting, and placement. Find tips on Cleaning Birdhouses. Your new birdhouse should provide you excitement for many seasons to come.

What Type of Gourd Is Best For Birdhouses?

There are various types of gourds that you can use for birdhouses. The most popular type of gourd used for birdhouses is the bottle or kettle gourd. This gourd is pear-shaped. Make sure that the gourd you choose has a hard shell. Gourds are readily available at a farmer’s market. However, if you want to make numerous, durable gourd birdhouses or want the full DIY experience, then you can easily grow them yourself as well.

Final Thoughts

All in all, making gourd birdhouses is a fruitful and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you are someone who enjoys bird watching and wish to attract more birds to your yard, gourd birdhouses are ideal for you. Now that you know how to make a gourd birdhouse, what are you waiting for? Find an old gourd and get started!

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