How to Make a Birdhouse Nesting Shelf

Unlike bluebirds and wrens, which prefer enclosed spaces to nest, some birds, such as robins, phoebes and jays use more open birdhouses. These houses are designed to provide a shelf to build nests on to raise their young. The open design allows the parent birds to spot potential predators easily. Strategically located, a nesting shelf birdhouse can allow your family to watch a mated pair of birds build a nest, lay eggs and feed and care for baby birds. You can construct a simple shelf birdhouse from a pine board and hand tools at home in an afternoon.

1-by-10-inch pine board, 3 feet long
2-inch finishing nails
Jig saw
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 10-by-10-inch section from the pine board with the jig saw. This will be the back board of the birdhouse. Cut a 10-by-7-inch section for the floor board of the birdhouse and a 8-by-10-inch section for the roof board. Cut two 8-by-4-inch boards for the side wall boards.
- 2
  Place a 10-inch edge of the floor board on the face of the back board and align the edges to begin forming a box. Nail the back board to the floor board.
- 3
  Position the long edge of one of the side boards against the back board and a short against the floor board. Align the side board to the outside edge. Nail the floor board and the back board to the side board. Repeat this step on the other side with the remaining side board.
- 4
  Place the roof board onto the side boards with one 10-inch edge against the back board. Nail the roof board to the side boards. Nail the back board to the roof board.
- 5
  Drill a 1/8-inch hole in the center of the back board around 1 inch from the end to act as a mounting hole.

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