Gourds make excellent birdhouses. These hard-shelled fruits come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can be transformed into charming and unique homes for birds. Making birdhouses from gourds is also an enjoyable and creative craft. With some basic tools and materials, you can easily turn gourds into functional and decorative birdhouses.
Selecting Gourds for Birdhouses
When choosing gourds to make birdhouses, you’ll want to consider the size, shape, and density. How to Make Birdhouses Using Gourds requires gourds that are large enough to accommodate the desired bird species. Small songbirds like chickadees and wrens need an interior height of at least 6 inches. Larger birds like bluebirds require 8-10 inches.
The best gourd shapes for birdhouses are elongated and bulbous at the bottom, resembling a jar or bottle. This makes it easy to create an entrance hole near the top and allows the gourd to hang vertically. Gourds that have a thin neck or opening on top also work well.
Select gourds that feel hard and sturdy. Softer, lightweight gourds may rot over time. Thicker shells are better insulated and more durable. Avoid gourds with cracks, holes, or soft spots.
When sourcing gourds for birdhouses, you may find them at craft stores, farmers markets, or be able to grow your own. Mini decorative gourds work for wrens and chickadees, while larger wine bottle or birdhouse shaped gourds are good for bluebirds.
Preparing and Cleaning Gourds for Crafting
Before crafting your birdhouse, the gourds must be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Here are the basic steps:
- Using a stiff brush, scrub the outer shell under running water to remove dirt and debris. Use a toothbrush to scrub into crevices.
- Shake out any loose seeds and pulp from inside the gourd.
- Fill the gourd with water and add a few drops of bleach. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes to kill any mold.
- Turn the gourd upside down and thoroughly rinse the inside. Repeat if needed to remove all residue.
- Allow the gourd to air dry completely before proceeding. Drying may take several weeks.
Once dried, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots on the outer shell. This helps the gourd accept wood stain, paint, or varnish.
If desired, the top can be cut off to create an opening. Use a hand saw or jigsaw to cut off the tapered top section. Save the pieces to make a removable roof.
Tools and Materials Needed
Gather these supplies before starting your birdhouse project:
- Gourds – cleaned and dried
- Marker – to mark cuts and hole placement
- Hand saw or jigsaw – for cutting roof opening
- Drill and drill bits – to make entrance hole and ventilation holes
- Sandpaper – to smooth and prep gourd exterior
- Wood stain, acrylic paints, or spray paint – for decorating
- Paintbrushes
- Waterproof sealant – polyurethane or varnish
- Hanging wire – to hang birdhouse
Optional items:
- Wood glue – for reattaching cut tops
- Small wooden dowel – for perch below entrance hole
- Decorative embellishments – ribbons, buttons, lace
Creating the Birdhouse Entrance
The entrance hole is one of the most important parts of any birdhouse. Follow these guidelines based on the desired bird species:
For small birds like chickadees and wrens:
- Hole diameter: 1 – 1 1⁄4 inches
- Hole placement: 4-6 inches above the bottom
- Create ventilation holes on both sides of the entrance
For bluebirds:
- Hole diameter: 1 1⁄2 inches
- Hole placement: 6-8 inches above bottom
- Ventilation should be open area below the entrance hole
Use a marker to indicate placement before drilling the entrance hole. Drill from the outside of the gourd using a sharp bit slightly smaller than the marked circle. Then use a rasp or round file to smooth and enlarge the hole to the perfect size.
How to Make Birdhouses Using Gourds is easier if you have a variable speed drill so you can carefully control the speed. Take it slow to avoid cracking the shell.
Adding a dowel perch below the entrance is optional but gives birds a place to land before entering. Drill a hole and glue the dowel in place with wood glue.
Adding Ventilation
Proper ventilation allows heat and moisture to escape from the birdhouse interior. Drill a few 1⁄4 inch holes evenly spaced around the gourd, above the expected nesting area.
For bluebird houses, leave the empty space under the entrance hole open for ventilation. Small songbird houses should have ventilation holes drilled into the sides near the entrance.
Avoid drilling holes on the top or rain may get into the birdhouse. The gourd’s round shape allows air to circulate from the sides.
Access Panel or Removable Roof
You’ll need to be able to access the interior of the finished birdhouse for periodic cleaning and monitoring.
For gourds with a tapered top that was cut off, the removed piece can be fitted back on as a removable roof. Attach it with small hinges, leather straps, or other creative fasteners.
If the opening is too wide, cut a piece of wood or hardware cloth to size and attach it to cover the entrance. Add a handle or leather pull tab to make it easily removable.
For an intact gourd, you can add an access panel using these steps:
- Mark the placement for a rectangular or circular access panel on the lower half of the gourd.
- Use a jigsaw to carefully cut along the lines through the outer shell.
- Cut a piece of wood or hardware cloth to match the same shape and size.
- Drill small holes around the edges of the access panel area. Attach the patch with wire, screws or staples through the drilled holes.
Decorating the Exterior
With the functional elements in place, it’s time to decorate the outside of your gourd birdhouse. Get creative with paint, stain, or other embellishments!
Painting
Acrylic craft paints work well on gourds and provide a durable, weatherproof finish. For best results:
- Lightly sand the gourd shell before painting
- Apply 2-3 thin base coats to seal and prime the surface
- Allow to dry fully between coats
- Finish with 1-2 coats of acrylic paint in your desired colors
Use a paintbrush to fully cover the gourd shell. Add whimsical dots, stripes, or other patterns if desired. Outline any openings like the roof or access panel with a contrasting color.
Spray paint can also give great coverage on gourds. Use light coats, allowing drying time between each pass. Cover ventilation holes while spraying.
Staining
For a natural wood-toned finish, apply stain to the gourd shell. Light sanding helps the stain absorb evenly. Use a rag or foam brush to wipe on the stain, wipe off any excess, and let it dry fully. Apply a second coat for darker color.
Once stained, finish with a coat of waterproof polyurethane sealer. This protects the finish from weathering.
Embellishments
Get creative embellishing your birdhouse with:
- Lace or burlap – glue around openings or openings for a shabby chic look
- Buttons – glue on like polka dots for added whimsy
- Ribbon – glue along the roofline and tie a bow for some charm
- Chalk paint – use white and dark wax to create a vintage distressed finish
- Stencils – cut shapes from cardstock and sponge paint over the openings
- Decoupage – use cutouts from napkins, maps, music sheets to decorate the exterior
Apply clear sealer over any embellishments to protect them from weather.
Waterproofing & Hanging the Finished Birdhouse
Once decorated, the final step is to waterproof and hang your birdhouse creation.
To seal and protect the finish:
- Apply 2-3 coats of waterproof polyurethane or spar urethane. Allow drying between coats.
- Alternatively, use a spray waterproofing sealant formulated for outdoor wood crafts. Apply multiple light coats.
To hang your birdhouse:
- Tie wire or nylon cord through holes drilled near the top opening on both sides.
- Loop the cord through and attach an S hook or screw eye at the desired hanger point.
- Use a wire or cord long enough to easily hang, remove for cleaning, and re-hang the house.
Your artistic gourd birdhouse is now ready to be enjoyed by wild birds! Ideal placement is away from predominant wind and rain, facing east or southeast on a tree branch or post 5-10 feet off the ground.
Clean out old nesting materials in late winter before spring nesting season. Enjoy watching the busy birds build nests and raise their young in these handcrafted gourd creations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Birdhouses from Gourds
Can any type of gourd be used to make a birdhouse?
No, the gourd shape needs to be appropriate. Select gourds that are bulbous and elongated like a bottle or have a tapered top that can be cut for an opening. The cavity needs to be large enough for the desired bird species. The shell also needs to be hard and durable.
How thick should the gourd shell be?
Look for gourds with a thicker shell that feels hard and sturdy. Thinner shells may rot over time while thicker shells are better insulated and more durable. The thickness needed depends partly on the size, but 1/8 – 1⁄4 inches thick is ideal.
What tools do I need to make a gourd birdhouse?
Basic tools include a drill, drill bits, jigsaw, sandpaper, paintbrushes, marker, and materials for hanging. Helpful optional tools include a Dremel tool, wood burning tool, and router. Ensure any power tools used have variable speeds for control.
Where should the entrance hole be located?
The entrance hole should be placed 4-8 inches above the bottom of the gourd depending on the bird species. Follow recommended hole sizes and placements for the type of bird you want to attract. Ventilation holes should be located above and to the sides of the entrance opening.
How do I create a removable roof or access panel?
If the tapered top was cut off, it can be reattached using small hinges or straps. For an intact gourd, cut out a hole on the bottom half and attach a wood or hardware cloth cover panel with screws or wire. Add handles or tabs for easy removal.
How are gourd birdhouses hung?
Drill holes on both sides near the top opening. Run wire or nylon cord through the holes and attach S hooks or screw eyes to each end. Hang the birdhouse from a tree branch or wooden post 5-10 feet above ground. Ensure it hangs securely but is still removable.
Do gourd birdhouses need special care or maintenance?
Clean out old nests in late winter before spring nesting season. It’s best not to use chemical or soap cleaners inside the gourd as this could deter birds. Check for pests, mildew, or leaks and address any issues before re-hanging. Touch up exterior paint or stain as needed.
What birds will use a gourd birdhouse?
Gourds are suitable homes for small songbirds like chickadees, wrens, and sparrows as well as larger birds such as bluebirds. The entrance hole size and interior dimensions need to fit the desired species. Proper placement and maintenance will make your handmade gourd birdhouse appealing to wild native birds.
Conclusion
Crafting birdhouses using gourds makes for a fun and fulfilling DIY project. Gourds’ natural hollowed-out shapes offer excellent foundations for charming and functional bird homes. With some basic tools and materials, you can turn gourds of all sizes and varieties into customized habitats to attract wild birds into your garden. The artistic options for painting and decorating gourd birdhouses are endless. Place your creative bird abodes outdoors and enjoy watching bright feathers and busy activity around these handmade houses. With proper winter maintenance, gourd birdhouses can provide many seasons of beauty and nature appreciation for crafters and birds alike.