How to make a birdhouse from a bottle with your own hands? DIY birdhouse from a plastic bottle - photo.

To build a bird feeder, you can use not only the usual wooden planks. You can also make a bird canteen from non-traditional materials. For example, it could be an ordinary plastic bottle, cut and processed in such a way that it is convenient for birds to get to the place where the food is located, and the bird table itself does not get wet due to precipitation, otherwise the food may spoil.

The simplest option for making a feeder from a plastic bottle

For a feeder from plastic bottle will do ordinary product volume 1.5-3 liters. Take a utility knife or small scissors with sharp ends and cut a couple of holes opposite each other in the bottle. They can be cut into rectangular, round shapes or in the form of arches - as your imagination dictates. Between them you need to leave jumpers of at least one and a half centimeters; if they are narrower, the bottom of the feeder may simply break off.

At the holes, try to cover the edges with adhesive tape or tape - they will not be sharp, and it will be more convenient for the birds to stay on them. You can also make two small holes in the bottom of the bottle and insert a straight branch into them - you will get a perch.

The feeder can be secured to a tree by tying it to the trunk by a jumper using electrical tape, wire, or twine. Or make it hanging - drill a hole in the lid, stretch the ends of a string of suitable length into it, and tie them. Pull the resulting loop and hang the feeder on a branch using it. The knot created in the lid when tying the ends of the twine will not allow it to pull out.

Self-filling feeder option

You can make a feeder in another version - it will independently add food to the birds as they eat it. For such a product you will need two identical bottles. Cut off the top third of the first bottle and make window holes at the bottom. It’s better to first draw windows on the plastic using a marker - this will make cutting out more convenient. The shape and size of the holes can be made to any size, the only condition is that the birds must fit comfortably in them. Good option– 2-3 holes with a width of 5-7 cm.

Use a funnel to fill the second bottle halfway with food and insert it into the cut bottle. Secure the second bottle so that the neck just barely reaches the bottom. As the birds eat some of the food, it will gradually be added to the bottom of the feeder.
You can make two through holes in the bottles so that they are at the same level, insert a stick into them, and tie a string to its outward ends. The bottle will have to be hung for him.

In winter, it is difficult for birds to find food and shelter from bad weather. Therefore, a birdhouse made from a plastic bottle will come in handy. It doesn't take much time, and everyone has the material at hand. But starlings and other birds will appreciate it.

Step-by-step manufacturing process

To proceed to making a birdhouse, it is recommended to prepare the following materials:

  • A 2-liter water bottle, but a 5-liter container is also suitable;
  • marker or felt-tip pen;
  • a circle cut out of cardboard for a template;
  • drill;
  • wooden dowels;
  • round nose pliers;
  • knife for artistic cutting;
  • paint, preferably acrylic;
  • sponge for applying paint;
  • paint brush;
  • wax paper;
  • CDs;
  • heat gun;
  • scissors;
  • wire;
  • rope for hanging the birdhouse;
  • glue;
  • scotch.

When making a birdhouse, first remove stickers and labels from the container. Stepping 3 cm from the bottom of the bottle, using a template and a marker, draw a circle of the required size. After this, you need to drill a hole in the bottle with a drill and insert a wooden dowel into it, securing it with glue. This is a finished bird perch.

The next stage is painting the birdhouse. To do this, pour a little brown paint onto the wax paper and dip a sponge into it, while applying paint to the surface of the bottle until it is completely painted.

Make a hole on the lid of the container, thread a wire through it so that you get a loop on which you will hang the birdhouse from the bottle. Using pliers, twist the edges of the wire from the inside of the lid.

Prepare your window stencil in advance. It can be drawn on both paper and plastic. Paint of a different color is applied to the surface of the bottle using a sponge through a stencil.

The tiles are made from CDs. They are heated using a heat gun and carefully cut with scissors. If the disc cracks, it means it is not heated well enough. Place the resulting pieces on glue. And then put duct tape on top of them. To make the birdhouse look natural, layer pieces of disks on top of each other just like real tiles look.

Second option

This time a container with a volume of 5 liters is taken. A circle is cut out in the middle - a hole for birds. To prevent its edges from injuring the birds, they are covered with tape or adhesive tape.

A hanging loop is made as follows: a strong strip of fabric is clamped with a bottle cap. If you want to insulate the birdhouse, then wrap it with felt or wide tape. Dry straw is placed at the bottom of the product or bird food is simply sprinkled.

You can decorate the birdhouse in any way you like. Above were options with a stencil and CDs. You can paint the birdhouse or decorate it with decorative elements.

The bottom of a homemade bird house is laid with various available materials. This is done to make the room more comfortable. The following means are used:

  • rags;
  • tree branches;
  • cotton pieces;
  • hay.

Before you start working, you need to protect yourself from possible injuries. To avoid getting your hands splintered, put on gloves first. When you're ready to paint your birdhouse, think about the fact that birds are scared of bright colors. Therefore, choose a dye of a dark, discreet color.

One more point should be taken into account when choosing a place for home-made bird houses: birds love it when the birdhouse is located at a considerable height from the ground. The branch on which the bird's house will be must be strong. The birdhouse should not be conspicuous, so as not to disturb the birds once again when the chicks appear. In addition to the tree, the house and bird feeder are also attached to high posts.

There are many options for making a birdhouse from plastic containers; all you need is imagination. Now you know how to make a birdhouse with your own hands.

Deciding on the format

  • A birdhouse is a universal option suitable for most birds. Its dimensions are within the range: 40x15x15 cm, and the diameter of the flight hole is about 5 cm.
  • The titmouse is a haven for sparrows, tits and other small birds. When making it, try to keep it within 30x12x10 cm, and make the flight hole no more than 3.5 cm in diameter.
  • Wagtail is designed specifically for wagtails. Since these birds primarily walk and do not fly, the structure must be positioned horizontally, and also be provided with a protrusion in front of the hole. The average dimensions of the product are 15x15x30 cm, the tap hole is 3 cm.
  • The nesting area often becomes a haven for pikas. Therefore, if these birds predominate in the area of ​​the summer cottage, new home for them it is necessary to make it in the shape of a pyramid with dimensions of 25x25x15 cm, and a through exit, the diameter of which does not exceed 3.6 cm.

In this article we will talk about birdhouses, since they are universal and suitable as a temporary shelter for most birds.

Required materials

So, if you decide to make a birdhouse from a bottle, let’s prepare:

  1. 5-liter plastic bottles - 2-3 pieces.
  2. Twine.
  3. Glue, paints and other materials for decoration.

This set is considered basic. For individual designs, in addition to it, other consumables may be needed, which we will mention separately.

Birdhouse made from a 5 liter plastic bottle

Once you have collected the above materials, move on to the “how to do” question. The simplest birdhouse from a 5-liter plastic bottle is made as follows:

Step #1. We take a plastic container, rinse it thoroughly and dry it. We get rid of the label and adhered dirt.

Step #2. On the side (approximately in the middle) we cut out a round hole and process its edges using sandpaper or an iron (in the latter case, always through fabric).

Step #3. We outline a perch. We make a small hole just below the tap hole and insert a stick of suitable length into it.

Step #4. We wrap the structure with twine (placing it on glue) or paint it with paint. Note: If you choose twine, wrapping should be done before cutting the hole.

Step #5. We draw a model of the tile on paper, use a marker to transfer it to the second bottle and cut it out. If one bottle (5 liter capacity) is not enough, we put another one under the knife.

Step #6. To prevent the birdhouse from turning into a bird trap, we cover the inner walls with burlap or other textured material. It will make it easier for birds and their chicks to get out of the house.

Step #7. We attach the tiles to the birdhouse using glue or double-sided adhesive tape. We wrap the neck of the bottle with twine, which will simultaneously serve as a fastening for the new bird house and hide the “tails” of the top layer of tiles.

Step #8. If desired, we add other decorative elements. On the outside we coat the entire structure with varnish. Let it dry properly, and our birdhouse is ready.

Now all that remains is to hang it under the windows, and very soon you will be able to enjoy the chirping of birds in the morning. And also forget about the insects that always terrorize the surrounding areas.

How to make a birdhouse from a plastic bottle: useful tips

If you want your plastic bottle birdhouse to properly perform its functions, pay attention to the following points:

  • The longer the end of the perch on the outside of the birdhouse, the easier it will be for the cat to reach its feathered inhabitants.
  • Decorate only the outer part of the craft; the birds will decorate the inner part themselves.
  • Do you want the life of your feathered charges to be calmer and more comfortable? To decorate the birdhouse, use mostly discreet colors that blend in with the area (various shades of brown and green), so as not to attract unnecessary attention from predators.
  • Do not use too small elements to decorate the birdhouse. During operation, they will quickly fall off, and the design will lose all its attractiveness.

If you know other lifehacks and useful tips, write them in the comments, we’ll discuss them and take them into service.

Benefits of birdhouses

We have said more than once that birds as neighbors bring great benefits to humans. But what exactly is it expressed in? For example, that:

  1. Birds destroy harmful insects, caterpillars, and larvae, allowing them to feed their chicks.
  2. Most birds sing quite beautifully, helping us wake up in good mood and be positive all day long.
  3. Making a birdhouse is a great chance to improve your creative and physical skills, as well as spend time with your family.
  4. Building a birdhouse with your own hands teaches children to work productively and care about nature.

All birdhouse models made from a plastic bottle

Do you want to make a birdhouse from a 5 liter bottle, but ideas and inspiration pass you by? Then we invite you to familiarize yourself with our photo selection. Below are dozens of ideas, among which there is sure to be one that you like and will inspire you to new achievements.

More interesting things on our website:

Birds bring great benefits to both the garden and the vegetable garden. Therefore, many try to attract feathered friends to their summer cottage. The easiest way to do this is to place a birdhouse in your yard. You can make it from different materials or buy ready-made in a specialized store. Although simple and lightweight birdhouses made from improvised materials are especially popular.



Required tools and materials

To build a birdhouse, you will need very few materials and the right tools. In addition, they can be found in almost every household. For this you will need:

  • 1 plastic water bottle;
  • 1 two-liter plastic bottle required for finishing the roof;
  • string or twine;
  • burlap or any other rough material needed to decorate the inside of the birdhouse;
  • various decorative elements that can be made by hand;
  • regular scissors or a very sharp knife;
  • A marker of any color is suitable for markings;
  • quick-drying glue;
  • a brush for applying fine patterns, as well as an ordinary sponge for surface treatment;
  • multi-colored paints;
  • a perch that can be made from a simple branch.




How to do it yourself?

Building a bird house at home is not difficult. However, before this, it is necessary to remember to protect future birds that will settle in it. Therefore, it is better not to make a perch just before the hole, since the cat can catch its paw on it and pull out the emerging chicks. In addition, for the same reason, the visor should be made a little longer.

Then you need to prepare all the above materials and tools, and only then begin the work itself. The best way to make a birdhouse is from a five-liter bottle. To understand how it is done, it is necessary to consider the entire process step by step. There are several options.


Option #1

  1. First you need to take a 5 liter bottle and rinse it thoroughly. Next, you need to dry it and remove all the labels so that they do not interfere with your work.
  2. Then, on one side of the workpiece, you need to mark the middle and draw a small circle with a marker. Next, you need to cut it out with a sharp knife or scissors, and the edges are either carefully smoothed through a light cloth with an iron, or simply sanded with sandpaper. This is necessary so that birds do not get hurt when they fly inside.
  3. After this, just below the entrance you need to mark two small holes for the perch. Then carefully do them. This can be done with a hot nail. Then you need to insert a wooden perch into them. It must be held very tightly so that the bird sitting on it does not fall.
  4. Now it's time for the twine. It must be coated well with glue and wrapped around the entire birdhouse. But if you use twine, you only need to wrap the bottle up to the cut hole.
  5. After this, you can start making “tiles”. To do this, you need to take a 2-liter bottle prepared in advance. You need to draw sketches on paper and then transfer them to the bottle with a marker. Use scissors to carefully cut required quantity blanks If one bottle is not enough, you can use another one.
  6. Next, you can begin installing tiles on the birdhouse. This is done using quick-drying glue. From above you need to wrap the neck of the bottle with the same twine. It will also cover all the “tails” of the tiles. In addition, you need to attach a rope to the neck so that you can hang the birdhouse.
  7. Since the bottle is transparent, birds can simply get into it, just like a regular bird trap. To prevent this from happening, you need to cover the middle of the bottle with prepared burlap. The bird can easily get out of its house.
  8. After this, you can start decorating the birdhouse, however, this is done at will.



Option No. 2

This method of making a birdhouse will not take much time. 40-50 minutes will be enough.

  1. First you need to take a five-liter bottle. Glue a strip of tape to its bottom, and on top with glue - the beginning of the prepared twine.
  2. After this, you need to start gluing it in a circle to the very top, pressing it tightly.
  3. Then you need to draw a hole in the middle of the structure and cut it with a very sharp knife.
  4. Now you can start working on the roof of this unusual bird house. To make it, either an unnecessary old hat or a sleeve from a torn sweater is perfect. The edge of the sleeve or cap must be put on the top of the house and tied with twine to the neck of the bottle. It must be secured very well so that the roof does not collapse over time.
  5. Then, using quick-drying glue, you need to glue tufts of grass over the entire surface of the hat.
  6. After this, you can stretch a rope through the handle of the bottle and hang it in any place you like.



Arranging a birdhouse

However, when arranging a bird house, it is necessary to remember some preferences of birds and their safety. For example, the birdhouse must be located away from the ground so that the cat cannot reach the chicks. The branch on which the structure will hang must be strong and thick so that it does not break during sharp gusts of wind. In addition, it will be better if the birdhouse does not attract too much attention to itself. Therefore, it is worth thinking better about its disguise. If there is often wind on the site, then the house must be attached directly to the trunk so that it does not get torn off.

When spring begins, you definitely need to check if any living creatures have settled in the birdhouse, for example, bats or proteins. If so, then they need to be “evicted.” To attract birds to such a house, you can pour grain with various useful additives into the middle.




How to decorate?

Each person must approach this process individually and decorate the birdhouse in accordance with the design of the entire site and their own preferences. However, for those who do not know how to do this, here are some of the most interesting options to consider. A homemade bird house should be beautiful and appealing not only to you, but also to the birds living in it.

For example, you can decorate the entrance to the birdhouse in an original way. To do this, you can glue small strips of tape on the sides, preferably double-sided. Then attach a beautiful multi-colored braid on top. The bottom and top can be decorated with a row of large buttons, which are sure to be found in every home.

In addition, small decorative windows can be made from very thin plastic in several places. In addition to the roofs described above, others can be made. For example, a roof made from old wheels will look very beautiful and attractive. To do this, they need to be heated a little and then cut into equal parts. Each resulting piece can be painted with any paint.

Multi-colored “tiles” will look very beautiful. It is attached with good quick-drying glue.



In addition, for the convenience of the birds, the bottom of the bottle can be covered with either hay or cotton wool. The birds will like this decor the most. You can paint and paint the birdhouse, if possible. For this you can use acrylic paints, and even gouache. However, the latter must be coated with varnish. By using all your imagination and creativity, you can make the birdhouse a real exclusive dream house for any bird.

A love for birds or a simple desire to get rid of pests on their property makes many summer residents think about making a birdhouse. Not everyone knows that not only starlings, but also many other birds can live in a birdhouse. For example, small owls can live in a birdhouse and will hunt for small rodents, and if you manage to place singing birds in your dacha, then you will be able to enjoy their beautiful trills throughout the warm season. In addition to practical and aesthetic benefits, making a birdhouse together with your children will help develop their love for nature and work.

How to make a birdhouse with your own hands, and what types of birdhouses there are, you can find out by reading our article.

Materials and tools for manufacturing

Professional ornithologists advise using hardwood boards to build a birdhouse:

  • Alders.
  • Aspens.
  • Birches.
  • Softwood boards are not recommended because they release resin that can harm birds. There is also no need to make a birdhouse from plywood, because it has poor thermal insulation properties and the birds will be cold in such a house. In addition, plywood does not transmit sounds well, and this negatively affects the reaction of birds when predators appear. You should absolutely not build a birdhouse from chipboard or fiberboard; first of all, such a birdhouse will fall apart after the first heavy rain, and secondly, particle boards are made using toxic substances that can harm the health of birds.

    Larch boards
    In addition to hardwood boards, you will also need:

    • Hand saw or electric jigsaw.
    • Hammer.
    • Drill.
    • Chisel.
    • Measuring tape and ruler.
    • Pencil.
    • Nails.
    • Wood glue.
    • Water-based paint (if you want to paint the birdhouse).

    Consider one more important point, no matter how much you want to build the most beautiful birdhouse, do not under any circumstances treat the surface of the boards with a plane! The boards should not be planed; this is necessary for the chicks to be able to climb up the walls of the birdhouse.

    Making a birdhouse

    Referring to the drawing below, perform the following procedure:


    A simple birdhouse made of boards is ready! All that remains is to hang it correctly on a tree or pole.

    Simple birdhouse
    How to make a simple birdhouse, see also in the video:

    Birdhouse placement

    In order not to harm the trees, you should not nail the birdhouse to a trunk or branch. Many people hang birdhouses on metal wire, but this method also harms the trees, because over time the wire damages the bark and the wood begins to rot. It is best to hang the birdhouse on a thick rope made of organic material or on a wooden crossbar sandwiched between branches.

    Methods for installing a birdhouse
    When placing a birdhouse, take into account the height; if you hang it very low (less than two meters), then wild and domestic predators can easily reach the clutch or chicks.

    When hanging a house for birds, take care of their comfort, give the birdhouse a slightly tilted forward position, this will allow the birds to easily move from the bottom to the entrance.

    When choosing a place for a birdhouse, do not place it near thick branches, which in windy weather can damage the structure of the house.

    Install a birdhouse with a partner
    Since the work of attaching the birdhouse takes place at a fairly high altitude, be sure to work with a partner who will insure and help you on the ground. It is also advisable that you have a mounting belt tied to the tree.

    Birdhouses made from scrap materials

    You can make an original birdhouse not only from wood. There are many objects from which wild human imagination can create a house for birds, let's look at some of them:

    Birdhouse made from a plastic bottle

    From a plastic bottle you can make both large and small birdhouse, everything depends on the displacement. A plastic birdhouse is not suitable as a permanent home for birds, but as a winter feeder it is quite suitable.


    To make a birdhouse:

  1. Take a five liter plastic bottle.
  2. Cut a hole with a diameter of 3-4 centimeters at the bottom of the bottle.
  3. Cover the edges of the hole with tape or adhesive tape to prevent birds from getting hurt by the sharp edges.
  4. The fastening of the birdhouse-bottle can be made in the form of a loop protruding from the neck and clamped with a lid.
  5. Additionally, you can insulate the birdhouse by wrapping it with felt and tape.
  6. Finally, you can place dry straw at the bottom of the birdhouse or simply sprinkle bird food.

If you are a creative person, you can also paint the bottle or decorate it with decorative elements.


There are many options for feeders and birdhouses made from plastic bottles, but the manufacturing principle is the same for all, this is cutting out a notch, a fastening device and your imagination for the design.

Instructions for making a birdhouse from a plastic bottle are also in the video:

Birdhouse made of cardboard

Despite the absolute lack of resistance of cardboard to water, it is quite possible to make a birdhouse out of it that will last at least a year. Below are a drawing and instructions for making a birdhouse out of cardboard.

To make a cardboard birdhouse:

  1. Take a sheet of cardboard or disassemble one or more cardboard boxes. The denser and thicker the cardboard, the longer the birdhouse will last.
  2. Draw on the sheet the pattern you see in the picture.
  3. Cut out the drawn parts.
  4. Bend the pieces along the fold lines.
  5. Take wide tape and cover the inside and outside details. Also, instead of tape, you can use any waterproof material and glue. On the inside of the front wall, under the hole, stick a piece of coarse fabric so that the birds can easily climb from the nest to the entrance.
  6. Glue the gluing areas with universal glue.
  7. Reinforce the glued corners by placing strips of tape on them.
  8. Use scissors to cut a hole for the tap hole.
  9. Cover the inside of the tap hole with tape.
  10. Make a hole and insert the pole.
  11. Paint the birdhouse with paints or decorate it with decorations.

It is worth noting that it is better to glue the roof in such a birdhouse using tape and, as needed for cleaning, cut the tape with a knife and remove the roof.

Birdhouse made of cardboard
The birdhouse is made of cardboard and is very light in weight, so if it is not fastened well it can be blown away by the wind.

You can also learn how to make a birdhouse out of cardboard from the video:

Shoebox birdhouse

Birdhouse from shoe box It is made according to the same principle as a birdhouse made of cardboard. Main task is to make the parts of the birdhouse absolutely waterproof. This can be achieved either by gluing a waterproof film, or by coating the parts with water-repellent paint.

Birdhouse made of thick logs

This type of birdhouse is closest to the natural habitat of birds living in tree hollows. To make it you will need:

  • A piece of log with a diameter of 20-3 centimeters and a length of 40-50 centimeters.
  • Chainsaw or two-handed saw.
  • Powerful drill with wide drill bit.
  • Large wide chisel.
  • Hammer.
  • Clamps (for clamping logs during cutting and drilling).
  • Nails.

Leave the walls 3-4 centimeters.
The technology for making a birdhouse from a log is quite labor-intensive, so it is advisable to produce this work with a partner.

  1. Clamp the log with clamps.
  2. Cut two dies of 4-5 centimeters thick from the log; they will serve as the roof and bottom of the birdhouse.
  3. Take a drill and start drilling out the inside of the log. When drilling, leave walls 3-4 centimeters thick along the edges of the log.
  4. If the drill length is not enough for through holes, drill from both sides.
  5. Using a chisel and hammer, shape the inside walls of the birdhouse into their final, round shape.
  6. Drill a hole for the tap hole and install a pole or strip underneath it.
  7. Nail the bottom of the birdhouse.
  8. The roof of the birdhouse can simply be attached to a few nails so that it can be easily removed if necessary.

Birdhouse made of logs
Never make a birdhouse from wet wood, otherwise, after drying, it may crack and fall apart. It is also advisable to treat the bottom, roof and areas of the birdhouse unprotected by bark with water-repellent paint.

You can see another option for making a birdhouse from a log in the video:

Birdhouse made from wine corks

The name of the birdhouse is not entirely correct, since wine corks serve only as decoration. The name would be more correct: a birdhouse decorated with wine corks. In addition to its decorative properties, a wine cork has good thermal insulation characteristics, therefore, birds will be warm in a birdhouse decorated in such an unusual way.
Birdhouse decorated with wine corks
If you decide to decorate your birdhouse with wine corks, then prepare the following tools and materials:

  • Glue.
  • Glue gun.
  • Lots of wine corks.

There are three ways to decorate with wine corks:

  • The first method involves cutting the cork into several round dies. After which, the dies are glued to the roof and walls of the birdhouse.
  • The second method is to longitudinally cut the cork into two semicircular parts and then decorate the walls of the birdhouse with them.
  • The third method eliminates cutting. The cork is glued in its entirety.

Multi-apartment birdhouse decorated with corks
There is no point in choosing just one way to decorate; the birdhouse will look more beautiful if you decorate it in all three ways. For example: the roof - with dies, the side walls - longitudinally cut, and the front wall - with whole plugs.

Options, design and decorative elements of birdhouses

There are many options for birdhouses of unusual shapes and designs; we offer you photographs of some of them:


Thanks to human imagination, houses for birds will always be replenished with new options; it may turn out that you will become one of the authors of the new birdhouse design!