In this post, we will discuss the construction of a fantastic birdhouse that is perfect for housing multiple Purple Martins. These birdhouses serve as perfect homes for the birds that fly back every spring to breed and have their young. With the help of the detailed plans provided below, you can put together your own Purple Martin Bird House and give these birds a home that is both safe and comfortable.
Purple Martins - The Birds
Before we dive into the construction of a Purple Martin Bird House, let’s take a moment and learn a little bit about the birds themselves. Purple Martins are the largest species of swallow in North America, and they are very social in nature. They have a beautiful iridescent plumage and feed on insects that they catch in mid-air. They can fly exceptionally fast and are known to be very acrobatic.
These birds migrate south to South America every fall and come back to North America in the spring to breed and raise their young. They build their nests in natural or man-made cavities, and in recent years, many bird enthusiasts have started building special birdhouses to attract them and create a safe environment for them to breed.
The Birdhouse Plans
There are a few different designs for Purple Martin Bird Houses, but the most common design is a multi-unit birdhouse that can house multiple pairs of birds. The birdhouses are made of wood, and they have several compartments that are divided by walls. Each compartment can have an entrance hole for the birds to enter and exit, and there is also an unobstructed flight path for the birds to fly in and out of the birdhouse readily.
To build your own Purple Martin Bird House, you will need some materials. The materials you will require include boards, screws, nails, concrete, and some paint to add color. We also recommend that you use a saw, a drill, and a hole saw for the project. The plans for this birdhouse are available free of charge on Construct101.
Steps for Building a Purple Martin Bird House
1. Cut the Wood
The first step in building your birdhouse is to cut the wood. You will need to cut and shape 1 x 6-inch cedar boards in a precise way. The wood needs to be cut in two 48” pieces, two 12” pieces, two 6 3/4” pieces, three 5 1/2” pieces, and one 8 1/2” piece:
- 48”x5 1/2” – cut four
- 12”x5 1/2” – cut two
- 6 3/4”x5 1/2” – cut two
- 5 1/2”x5 1/2” – cut three
- 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” – cut one whole. Cut 45-degree angles on both ends.
2. Make the Separators
Once the wood is cut, you will need to create the separators that divide the compartments of the birdhouse. These can be made from strips of thin wood that are glued together. Once these are glued together, you can cut them into exact lengths; in this case, they will need to be cut at 9 1/2” and 11”.
3. Assemble the Walls
Now it’s time to assemble the walls of the birdhouse. Begin by securing the 48” boards between the two 12” boards, making sure that they are flush with the edges. Secure them with screws. Once the bottom of the wall is built, attach the strips of wood that you cut earlier, dividing the space up into smaller compartments. The 6 3/4” pieces should be attached to the outer walls, and the 5 1/2” pieces should be attached to the divider strips. Keep the divider strips approximately 6” apart. Once all of the pieces have been attached, repeat this process to build the second wall.
4. The Roof
The roof of the birdhouse is straightforward. Attach the 8 1/2” board to the top of the birdhouse walls, making sure that it overhangs on all sides. Secure it with screws.
5. Finishing Touches
Now that the basic structure of the birdhouse is complete, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Use nails to attach the aluminum ridge cap along the peak of the roof. Pre-drill the entrance holes before cutting them and then drilling them out with a hole saw of the appropriate size. Finally, drill a small drainage hole at the bottom of each compartment.
Painting and Mounting the Birdhouse
Once the birdhouse is assembled, it’s time to paint and mount it. It’s recommended to use light colors for the birdhouse as they reflect the sun better and keep it cooler inside. Once the paint has dried, mount the house on a sturdy mount, ideally, on a pole that is at least 10 feet high. Make sure the birdhouse is secure, and stand back and enjoy your handiwork. Your new Purple Martin Bird House is sure to attract birds from all over the neighborhood, providing them with a safe and comfortable home where they can breed and raise their young.
Conclusion
Building a home for birds is a great way to give back to nature. It not only helps birds to find a safe and comfortable place to breed and raise their young, but it is also a great way to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. The Purple Martin Bird House is an excellent example of a birdhouse that is easy to construct and will provide birds with a safe and comfortable home to live in. We hope that the instructions provided in this post will help you construct a birdhouse that will help birds in your area.
