Wren Birdhouse Plans

These wren birdhouse plans are designed specifically for wrens, but other small cavity-nesting birds might find this design suitable for nesting. I used all-natural western red cedar to build my birdhouse (painted blue only on the external surfaces with eco-friendly paint).

About Wrens

Wrens are not particularly afraid of humans. It seems that they almost prefer to nest in nesting boxes closer to the homes of humans rather than further away. Three species of wrens live in my area - the House, the Bewicks, and the Carolina. They each lay a range of 5 to 8 eggs per clutch and two broods per season.

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Wren Birdhouse Plans

You can build this wren birdhouse from a 4-foot piece of 1x8 western red cedar. One of the features of these wren birdhouse plans is that the hinged roof opens up to make cleaning out the old nest easy.

Materials List:

• 4-foot 1x8 cedar or redwood plank
• Eye Bolts (2)
• Hinges - 3/4" x 1 1/2" (galvanized)
• Galvanized Finish Nails or Screws
• Eco-Friendly Paint (optional)
• 3 feet of Wound Wire hanging material

Tools:

• Saw (Circular or Miter)
• 3/8-inch Drill
• Hammer
• Screw Driver
• Paddle Bit (1-1/4")

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Wren Birdhouse Plans

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Cut the Front and Back Panels of the Birdhouse

Use the Front Panel diagram on the left (above) to lay out the front section of the wren birdhouse. Note that the height of the front section is the actual width of a 1x8 plank (7 1/4").

From one edge of the 1x8 plank (start close to the end to conserve material), use a Speed Square or similar tool to mark two 45-degree angle roof slopes 6" long on both sides (see drawings).

The peak of the roof is the center of the birdhouse. Using a square, transfer that center mark down (7 1/4") to the bottom of the board. From the bottom of the board, measure over 2 1/2" on each side of the center and make a mark. The space between the two marks will be the width of the base (5"). On each side of the base, mark a 30-degree line from both bottom corners until they intersect with the 6" roof lines.

Cut the front piece and use it as a template for the back.

Assemble the Sides and Base Sections

Cut the sides and base - as shown in the drawings - and assemble them using 16 gauge galvanized finish nails or screws. Attach the front and back parts of the birdhouse to the assembled base.

Cut the Two-piece Roof

Cut the two roof sections to the sizes indicated. Centered front to back, lay both roof sections on the birdhouse, overlapping the 7 1/4" section over the end of the 6 1/2" section, as shown in the drawings, so the overhangs match on both sides. Attach the 7 1/4" roof section to the birdhouse with 16 gauge galvanized finish nails or screws.

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Attach the 6 1/2" section to the top of the 7 1/4" roof section using two 3/4" x 1 1/2" hinges (black or galvanized).

Use a 1" to 1-1/8" paddle bit to drill the entrance hole 5" above the base (centered)

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Attach a Wire to Hang the Wren Birdhouse from a Tree

The last phase of building the wren birdhouse is to attach a wire loop to the top of the roof so it can hang from a tree or post. I used a combination of eye bolts and wound-wire for this. I drilled two pilot holes for the eye bolts approximately 3" apart (centered on the birdhouse) and screwed them into the top of the 7 1/4" section of the roof.

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The finished below shows the finished birdhouse with the hinged roof section open and closed. Use a 1.5" galvanized wood screw to secure the hinged roof to the birdhouse.

Painting the Wren Birdhouse

As you can see in the images above, I only painted the outer surfaces and left the inside of the birdhouse natural. If you plan to paint your wren birdhouse, choose a natural or light color to reflect sunlight instead of a dark color that absorbs heat, and use eco-friendly paints that contain few or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Maintenance

I clean out each of my nestboxes in mid-winter so they are ready to be occupied by new inhabitants in the spring. I am not surprised when I clean out my nestboxes to discover that wasps have also made it their home. Be careful when you open your birdhouse to ensure that you don't anger any stinging inhabitants. I don't use wasp spray since I don't want the poisonous chemicals inside the birdhouse. When the wasps fly off, I use a broom handle to knock down the nest (watching over my shoulder the whole time) - you never know when one might reappear.

I hope you enjoyed building this wren birdhouse. If you have any questions or comments about these wren birdhouse plans, please don't hesitate to contact us.