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Window Bird House – Nestbox

Window Birdhouse Completed_Back
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.  If you make one of these be sure to post it over on the WoodLogger Facebook Page.  I’d love to see how yours turns out.

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

Window Birdhouse Side GroovesWindow Birdhouse Front Side 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.
Window Birdhouse DoorWindow Birdhouse Back Side Window 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.
Window Birdhouse Assembly SidesWindow Birdhouse Assembly Back 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.
Window Birdhouse Assembly FrontWindow Birdhouse Assembly Front For the front of the house I used exterior rated glue.  I also tacked the front down using brads.
Window Birdhouse Assembly Bottom 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.
Window Bird House Completed and Mounted to a Window 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.


 

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Items used to complete this project

 

13 Comments

  1. Now that you have had the window view birdhouse up for a while, how is it working out? Would you change anything? Blackout curtain inside the window so as not to scare the birds? How effective are the suction cups? Dowel perch on the front?

    Looks like a fun build and I plan to do one this weekend.

  2. Hey Richard, I hung up the house over the summer and it is as solid on the window with the suction cups, as when I first put it up. They were just standard suction cups I believe I got them at a hobby store. I haven’t had any birds nest in the house and from what I’ve read won’t till spring sometime…

    So I guess that’ll be the real test. I have seen a few birds fly in and out, but none have stayed.

    Good luck with your house, it was a fun one to make.

    1. Daris,
      How did you use the screws with the suction cups? If you run the screw through the cup, does it compromise the suction by allowing air to break the seal? Did you just use standard wood screws? Thanks for the help.

  3. I drilled a screw right threw the suction cup. I used a smaller screw. The suction cups had a little nub on the end so it worked for me. I got the largest ones I could find though. I think I found them at Hobby Lobby.

  4. I’m dying to know if it will work!!! I was going to buy one but for the price, I’d rather my husband make one. I also saw where of them came with a mirror type paper to put on the window so that they can’t see you. Please lets us know if you are successful with this!

    1. HI Wendy, I did have “some” success. They built a nest in the box, but abandoned it shortly after. I had someone suggest that I apply a tinted film to the glass to make it harder for the birds to see out, but we could still see in.

    1. It’s an excellent gift..! I did have some birds start a nest in there, however they abandoned it shortly after they built it. Someone suggested that I apply some sort of tinted film to the plexi glass to block the birds from seeing out, but allow others to see in. I may have to make a small adjustment to mine next spring…!

  5. One way Reflective film on the plexiglass or even the window inside the house will certainly keep the birds from seeing the observer. Also, consider adding a perch, either a dowel or small shelf as landing area.

  6. Hello. I was wondering if it would be safe with just 3 suction cups. Wouldn’t it fall after a short period of time or even if it is windy?

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