How to Get Free Purple Martin and Other Birdhouse Plans

Birds add color and motion to the garden. They also feed on many insect pests. The Purple Martin is a popular bird to coax into your garden, but there are other birds that you might also want to entice with the birdhouse you can build yourself. Help birds survive in the winter and breed families in the spring by building your own birdhouse. The project can be not only an artistic endeavor, but a project for the whole family. And the result can offer hours of fascinating bird-watching. Here are some suggestions on how to get free birdhouse plans to get your plan off the ground (so to speak!)

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. The first step in finding the right free birdhouse plan is to decide what birds are in your area and which ones you want to attract. Different species prefer different housing styles. You can then search on the style of birdhouse you want to build or you can search by the type of bird you want to build for. The example in the picture above is a design for a Purple Martin birdhouse.

2. Do a search on the kind of birdhouse that will house your targeted species. Some will sell plans. There are a number of Internet sites that offer free plans for birdhouses. Some are viewable directly on the site whereas others will need to be downloaded. Try sites like Craftybirds.com, BirdhouseBuzz.com, Familyfun.go.com, Thewoodcrafter.net, and Runnerduck.com/purse_birdhouse.htm. The free Purple Martin birdhouse seen here is courtesy of Birdhousebuzz.com. There are many more sites. Try searching on “free birdhouses”, “build birdhouses”, “birdhouse for …” (filling in the type of bird you want, or another combination of applicable words.

3. If you don't see what you want on the internet, expand your search. Another way to find free birdhouse plans to build is to check out magazines. Look for craft, home, hobby and building magazines. Some publications that have offered free birdhouse plans and building instructions are Sunset Magazine, Popular Woodworking and Backyard Living Magazine.

4. These are probably the best and easiest ways to get free birdhouse building plans. If you know someone who is an expert in building or experienced in birdhouse construction, this is a great option to get plans for free, too.

5. Once you know how you will build the basics of your birdhouse, you can decorate it to make it your own work of art. Or involve the kids. Just make sure your creativity doesn’t interfere with the basic needs of the birds you are attracting.

6. Consider getting free birdhouse building plans, whether you want to house a Purple Martin or a favorite local bird. Building a birdhouse is a fun project that you can do in any weather and enjoy the results once it is hung outdoors.

Resources

• Landscape design and gardening ideas
• Birdwatching in the backyard
• Outsmarting wildlife

[sallyemaycreate]

on 11/15/2009 Excellent article with great tips on How to Get Free Birdhouse Plans! Thanks so much. 5*

[momose]

on 11/14/2009 Building and decorating birdhouses is a wonderful craft project to do on your own or with children. Thanks for some good tips for plans. *****