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I built these bird houses out of 1x cedar, using outdoor deck screws and waterproof glue.

These houses are built to the exact specifications of Chickadees, which are plentiful here in the Pacific Northwest. (It was interesting to learn that Chickadees have exact specifications for their living quarters…..!)

These houses were the first woodworking project that built, since I began woodworking again as an adult. Since then, I've built more challenging projects, but these have a special place in my heart, since they represent my start.

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Very nice bird house Dean
 

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Hey, I like watching Chickadees, finicky little birds, they'll grab a sunflower seed and fly off to a tree or bush and eat it and repeat the process. I'd love to build some of these, where'd you get the specs? And very nice job.
 

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Curt,

I got the specifications from books at the library.

But to save you time, here are the main specifications:

All parts are 1×6 cedar, except the roof panels, which are 1×8 cedar, and the top plate which is 1×3

The house is 12" tall
hole is 6" above the base, 1 1/8" diameter
the roof line extends down 6" from the top
the base plate is 10" long
the top plate is 9" long

Here's a tip to speed production: The waste pieces from cutting the roof line can be used as a guide to tilt your tablesaw blade for cutting the roof panels. Cut the roof panels at this angle, and make the cuts parallel to each other, and when assembled, the roof will be flat on the top, for the top plate, and will have lower edges that are horizontal.

Have fun!
 

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Nice Bird House!!

AKA….........Woodchic
 

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I have yet to see a bird house I didnt like and that would be a nice addition to my collection.

being an avid bird watcher I know that the hole on the bottom of the flagpole here, when taken off its stand is perfect for the chickadees…...............so cute seeing the nestlings come out of that tunnel.

I kinda doubt all the reading I have done on how a bird prefers a certian size opening, inside cavity size etc and have found that so long as the bird fits through the hole…...they like it…...the tighter the fit, the better? Wrens on the other hand and in my experience, ..............the uglier the birdhouse, the better the odds of one nesting in it. I'm not saying that they dont have a "prefered hole opening size"........just saying that I have hundreds of birdhouses scattered about the property and I really dont see evidence that most birds really care what size the front door is.

Quirky bunch!
 
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