Window Bird House – Nestbox

Window Bird House / Nest Box

I saw a window bird house nestbox awhile back and thought what a cool thing to make.  I actually bought my dad one for Christmas last year, and decided to make one on my own.  I looked at a few different plans to get some ideas, and for the most part I followed a plan that I saw in the book:  Bird-Friendly Nest Boxes and Feeders: 12 Easy-To-Build Designs that Attract Birds to Your Yard I made a few changes to the dimensions on mine.  Plus I wanted to attach suction cups to the back of the house so that I could attach to a window.    The clear plastic is sized at 5×7 so you can find it in most stores that sell picture frames.  I had some plastic sheets that I had leftover from a previous project.  I was able to cut mine down to size using my tablesaw.  I’m really not sure if there is a “best practice” way of cutting plastic sheets, but it worked pretty well for me.

This really was a great little project that can be done in a weekend.  If you follow the plan from the book it shows hanging the feeder in a traditional fashion, but I thought putting this on my daughters window might be fun (and educational) for her.  Although after completing this one it means I will probably have to make another one for my son’s window.  If you make one of these I would love to hear from you.  As always I will put links to some of the things I used at the end of post.  Also check out “my attempt” at putting a video together on how to make this.

Materials

For the lumber I used Cedar that I purchased from Lowe’s.  I was able to do the whole thing using only 1 board.  For the back I used a scrap piece of plexiglass that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  The opening is 5″x7″  so you can find a pre-cut piece pretty easily at most stores.  I used an exterior rated glue with all my joints(except the bottom).  To hang the house I attached 4 suction cups to back.  My house will hang from a window.  I was able to build the entire project for under $25.

• (1) 1″ x 8″ x 6′ Cedar Board
• (1) 5″ x 7″ plexiglass - back
• (4) Suction Cups with screws

Milling & Assembly

	To start on this project I cut all of my pieces according to the plan.  I then cut the sides of the house with a 45° edge for the roof line.  Then I cut a 1/8″ deep groove 1/4″ in from the side.After that I cut the front of the house at a 45° angle to create the roof line.
	After cutting the roof lines on the front of the house I then drilled an entry hole.  I used a 1-1/4″ fostner bit for this.For the back of the house I cut a scrap piece of plexiglass down a 5″x7″ size.
	When I started the assembly I started by attaching the sides to the bottom of the house using 1-1/4″ screws.  I didn’t apply any glue so that I could remove it in the future to clean it out.After I attached the sides to the bottom I simply slid the back into the grooves.
	For the front of the house I used exterior rated glue.  I also tacked the front down using brads.
	After everything was assembled I drill five holes in the bottom of the house.  This is for drainage in case any water gets inside.  In hind sight I should have drilled the holes before final assembly.
	Here is the completed house with four suction cups attached to the back.  I mounted it to a window and I’m really surprised by how strong the suction cups are.

Finishing

I made this house of cedar so it’ll age just fine outside.  I attached suction cups that had screws with them.  I bought a kit for that and it attached very securely to my window.

Items used to complete this project