How to Build Different Types of Bird Houses

Coffee Can

• 1

  Clean the inside of a metal coffee can and its lid with soap and water. Turn the can upside down and allow it to dry overnight.

• 2

  Cut a 2-inch entrance hole into the lid of the coffee can using a utility knife. The hole should be 1 inch from the edge of the lid.

• 3

  Drill two 1/8-inch holes in the side of the coffee can. They should be evenly spaced between the top and bottom of the can.

• 4

  Twist one eyehook into each of the two holes you drilled. These will be used to hang your birdhouse.

• 5

  Attach fishing line. Feed two pieces of 18-inch long fishing line through the two eyehooks. Tie the loose ends of the fishing line together.

• 6

  Place the lid on the coffee can. Then you may hang your finished birdhouse from a tree.

Gourd

• 7

  Scrub the outside of a kettle gourd with a metal pot scrubber. While scrubbing, rinse the gourd under warm water. This will help you remove the gourd's outer membrane as well as any mold that may have formed on its outer surface. Continue to scrub until the gourd has a smooth surface. The mold may have left discoloration, but the mold was removed as long as the gourd feels smooth. Pat the gourd dry with a paper towel.

• 8

  Drill a hole in the center of the body of the gourd. Use a drill with a holer attachment to do this task. The hole should be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches for bluebirds and larger for other types of birds. The exact placement of the hole is up to you. Choose a side of the gourd that you want to be the front of the birdhouse, and then drill.

• 9

  Scrape out the inside of the gourd. Use a long-handled spoon or any other tool you can fit through the hole you created. Remove the seeds, and use the side of the spoon to scrape the walls of the gourd and pull the innards out the hole. A paperlike membrane is on the walls of a gourd. You can choose to remove the membrane to make the gourd drier or to leave the membrane for the birds to use in their nest making.

• 10

  Drill two holes in the neck of the gourd. Use an 1/8-inch drill bit to make the holes. They should be about 2 to 3 inches down the neck of the gourd, and they will be used to hang the gourd.

• 11

  Drill four 1/8-inch holes in the bottom of the gourd. They will work as a drain for the birdhouse, keeping it from building up moisture.

• 12

  Attach twine. Feed a 24-inch piece of twine through the holes in the neck of the gourd. Tie the loose ends into a secure knot. Then you may hang your completed birdhouse using the twine.