How to Make a Wren Birdhouse

Wrens are useful in the garden.

Wrens love to eat insects, and breeding wrens remove even more bugs to feed their young. This makes wrens useful animals to have in a garden. Many people also find wrens very appealing. They are tiny birds but have a lot of energy and are entertaining to watch. Like many garden birds, wrens have fewer natural nest sites than in the past because of habitat destruction. Putting up one or more nest boxes encourages them to multiply in your garden.

Things You'll Need

• 6-inch wide plywood
• Saw
• Drill
• Galvanized nails
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Saw off six pieces of wood. Make three of them 8 inches long, one of them 6 inches, one 12 inches and the last 4 inches.

2. Drill a hole 1 1/8 inches in diameter, 2 inches from the top of one of the 8-inch long pieces. This is the front. Don't make the hole any bigger if you want to ensure only wrens use the nest box.

3. Drill four ¼-inch holes, about half an inch from the sides of the 4-inch piece of wood. This is the bottom, and the holes are for drainage.

4. Drill a ¼-inch hole, 1 ½ inch from the top of the 12-inch piece of wood. This is the back, and the hole is to help you hang the box.

5. Drill two or three ¼-inch holes in the two remaining 8-inch pieces of wood. These are the sides, and the holes are for ventilation.

6. Connect the remaining pieces of wood together with nails. Nail from the back into the sides. The 6-inch piece is the roof. If you wish to open the box easily for cleaning, hammer one nail into the roof from the back.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternative to the circular entrance is a rectangular slot 1 inch-by-2 inches at the top. This might be easier for wrens to use.

References

• Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Building Nest Structures, Feeders, and Photo Blinds
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Creating a Wild Backyard -- Wrens of Maryland
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Conservation Library, Homes for Birds