Building the house
1 of 3Photo 1: Prepare the house
Cut 10-in. lengths with a hacksaw or
miter saw. Then drill the ventilation and
entrance holes. Sand off the sharp edges on
the entrance hole with 60-grit sandpaper.
2 of 3Photo 2: Add the bottom
Cut a 3/4-in.-thick, 3-1/8-in. square
bottom from wood. Predrill and then
screw it into place with two No. 8 stainless
3/4-in. pan head screws on opposite sides.
3 of 3Photo 3: Attach the cap
Drill a 1/4-in. hole for the eye hook and
thread on the nut and washer for the
top. Stick it through the top and use a needle-nose pliers to hold the bottom nut while
you twist the hook tight. Glue on the cap.
Attract wrens and other songbirds to
your yard with this durable birdhouse
made from a plastic fence post.
Wrens will nest in almost anything, but
other birds have specific requirements
for the entrance diameter and house
cavity. If you’re trying to attract a particular
type of bird to your yard, do a
little research before you start building
this rather small hangout. (Search online for “birdhouse sizes.”)
Buy a 4 x 4-in. fence post and cap kit
(sold at home centers). One 6-ft. post is
enough for six birdhouses. But the post
comes with just one cap, so you’ll have
to buy caps for all but the first
birdhouse.
Cut the house cavity to length and
drill the ventilation and entrance holes
(Photo 1). Then cut the wood bottom and
attach it (Photo 2). Fit the bottom loosely
to allow for ventilation. To clean out
the house each year, just remove the
screws and release the bottom. Our
birdhouse doesn’t include a perch.
Perches are cute, but they allow predators
easier access to eggs and babies.
Attach the eye hook to the top (Photo
3), then glue the top to the body with a
few dabs of polyurethane glue. If you want to paint
the birdhouse, use spray paint formulated
for plastic, but don’t paint the
inside of the house.
Hang the houses in partially shaded
spots with the entrances facing away
from prevailing winds and out of jumping
range of cats and squirrels.
