How to Build a Victorian Style Bird House

Inch thick cedar or redwood will last a number of years and you can leave the roof to weather without paint or polyurethane and it will continue to look nice. Cut the plank into the following lengths: three pieces, 4 inches long; two pieces, 8 3/4 inches long; and two pieces, 6 1/2 inch long.

Purchase architectural details you want to use from a craft store, or online from a doll house manufacturer. Windows, doors, shutters, picket fences are all available.

Take one of the 4-inch long pieces and mark the longer side at 4 inches and cut to make a 4-inch square. This is the bottom of your birdhouse. Mark 1/2 inch in from each corner on both sides. Join the marks to make a triangle. Cut the corners off each corner to make a place for water to drain out.

Shape the front and back of the house. Take the two longest pieces. On each piece, using the carpenter square, mark a point 2 3/4 inches down from each side. Draw a line from that mark to the top center. Cut along those lines. You can see the outline of the roof.

Decide what type of bird you want to attract. Make a point on the board you will use for the front of your birdhouse 6 3/4 inches from the bottom edge and centered between the sides. Using the spade bit in the size you prefer, drill the entrance hole at the point you just made. Begin slowly at first and gradually increase speed so long as you have complete control of the tool when the spade enters the wood.

Make several scratches from side to side on the inside below the entry hole. Start these scratches an inch below the hole. This rough area will allow the little birds to grab hold as they get ready to move out of the nest.

Drill pilot holes in the bottom of the side pieces 3/8 of an inch up from the bottom on the four-inch side. Apply glue to one side of the four-inch base. Place the side piece and the bottom piece next together and move them until the match perfectly. Nail the side to the base with the 4d nails. Apply glue to the base and side and attach the front, pushing it around until it lines up perfectly. Drill pilot holes and drive 4d finishing nails into the side and the base. Complete for the back.

Make a pivoting wall for easy cleaning. Don't glue the final side. Instead, drive a nail from the front and back about 3/4 inch from the top of each piece into the side. This will allow you to open and close this side.

Cut 3/4 inch off one side of one of the 6 1/2-inch boards. Leave the other as it is. You now have a board 4 3/4- by 6 1/2-inches. Apply glue to the front and back top edges on one side of the roof. Put the 4 3/4-inch by 6 1/2-board with the longer side, making the eves over front and back. Drill pilot holes and nail 4d nails to firmly attach. Glue and attach the final piece of the roof. Let glue dry.

Set the nails with the nail set. Apply surfacing compound. Sand all but the roof, then use a tack cloth to remove the sawdust. Add the architectural details (windows, doors) with glue.

Paint the birdhouse. Items which represent the Victorian era are arbors, climbing flowers, windows with panes and shutters, fancy siding, and two-toned trim and with one or two colors for the home itself. After the painting is finished and dry, apply the polyurethane and allow it to dry.

Add the screw eyes and thread a nylon cord through the eyes to make a hanger.