Making a Gourd Bird House
Gourds can make inexpensive, fun bird house projects. If there are gourds being harvested around your neighborhood, be sure to grab one or two!
Be sure to look for gourds with solid stems, because this will be the roof of your birdhouse. Try to find a gourd with a diameter of 6" or more, to give the birds enough room to fit inside and raise their young.
Wash your gourd thoroughly with eco-friendly materials. You don't want to put nasty chemicals on the home of baby birds! Hang the gourd somewhere dry for about a month, so the gourd dries out thoroughly. You should be able to hear the seeds inside when you shake the gourd.
You want to put a 2" hole in one side of the gourd with a drill, to provide the main entrance for your birds. For drainage, put a pair of 1/4" holes about 1" up from the bottom of the gourd. If the entry hole is the "nose" of your gourd, the holes should be on the sides, where the "ears" would be.
You can paint your gourd if you want, using a lead-free paint. A coat of non-toxic shellac will help your gourd weather the elements. Hang it in a high tree, and watch for new inhabitants!
Birding Basics
Birding Tips and Photos
Birding Help Hints Tips and Information