How to Make a Gourd Birdhouse

Gourds are easy to grow, but if you don;t have the garden space or the inclination to grow gourds, they are also inexpensive to purchase. The gourd will need to be of reasonable size and will need to be completely dried before beginning the process. The gourd is completely dried when when you can shake it and hear the seeds rattling inside.

The first step is too clean the gourd. Use sandpaper or a wire brush to scrape the exterior of the gourd. Once the exterior is clean you will need to dip the gourd in a bleach solution. The best method is to use a five gallon bucket of water with a 10 percent bleach solution added . Allow the gourd to soak in the solution for approximately 15 minutes. When working with the bleach be certain to wear rubber gloves. You may also want to consider wearing eye protection in case there is any splashing.

Remove the gourd and allow it to completely dry before moving on to the next step. Use a 3/8 inch drill bit to drill ventilation and drainage holes in the gourd. Make three to four holes in the base of the gourd, then 2 or 3 holes on the sides of the gourd.

Use an expansion drill bit to create the entrance hole for the bird. The size of hole you create will in part determine what type of bird(s) you attract. If you drill a 1 1/2 inch hole you will attract Bluebirds, Caroline Wren, Swallow, and the Hairy Woodpecker. A 1 1/4 inch entrance hole will attract the Titmouse, Bewick's Wren, and Downy Woodpecker. A larger 2 inch hole will attract the Crested Flycatcher and the Red-Headed Woodpecker. Each of these species also prefer the birdhouse to be at a specific height. For instance a Bluebird wants its nest 5 to 10 feet off the ground while the Hairy Woodpecker prefers a higher nest at 12 to 20 feet.

Drill small holes in the stem or near the base of the stem to install a wire hanger or piece of twine for a more natural look. Hang the gourd in a tree or other sturdy object. Do not make the wire or twine very long or the gourd will sway too much in the wind.

Children will enjoy painting or decorating the gourd. You can apply clear polyurethane, 2 or 3 coats, for a natural look. White is an excellent color which will reflect the sun and help keep the interior of the birdhouse cooler.

Do not install a perch on the birdhouse. The nesting bird will not need a perch in order to enter the gourd, they can fly directly into the nest or land on the hole itself. A perch will assist a predator more than it will the nesting bird.