BLUE JAY THEMED BIRD HOUSE

I had such great response with my last birdhouse plan: https://www.instructables.com/RACCOON-THEMED-BIRD-HOUSE/ that I decided to make one in the shape of a Blue Jay. With its 1.5 inch hole and large interior, however, this one should attract a wide variety of birds.

Materials

2- 1”x10”x 4’ pieces of pine

1-LP record (for measurement only)

5-1.5” round head screws

2- 1” round head wood screws

1,1/4” brad nails or finishing nails

2- large picture hangers

1- small drawer pull 

Various grades of sandpaper

Medium blue and dark blue paint, black and white paint, brushes

Download the templates I have provided for the difficult cuts.

Tools will be mentioned in each step

Temporarily tack the two boards together and measure 9” from one end. Use a square. Measure 2” back on each line and mark. Place the LP record at these marks and draw the curve. Cut the straight line with a portable panel saw and the curves with a portable jig saw.

From one remaining piece mark 9.5” with a square and cut the roof. Draw a centre line on it using a square. Mark 2.75” and 5” from the back. Drill these 1/8”

Rip the rest of the board to 8” wide. Mark and cut one piece- 9”. Draw a centre line. Measure 2” from the top and drill 1.5”. Measure 3/8” from the bottom and drill 1/8”. This is the front. 

The remainder of that board will be the back. Draw a line with a square at the 9” mark. Place the tail template centred at this line and trace the shape. Cut with a portable jig saw.

From the second piece cut a 7.5”x 5,1/8” piece for the bottom.

Cut a 6,3/4” width for the head. 

Cut two 4.5” widths for the wings and temporarily tack them together.

Trace the head template on to the appropriate piece. Punch through the centre of the eye location. Drill straight through -1/8”, then drill a shallow hole-1/2” each side to fit the wood plugs. Cut the head on a scroll saw. Place the head on the roof. Mark the two mounting holes to match the roof holes and drill pilot holes with a 1/16” bit.

Trace the wing template on the stacked piece and cut with a scroll saw.

At this point, sand everything- push the two wood plugs into the eye sockets. (You may have to use glue depending on the fit.)

Line up the front with a side. Top and bottom should align with the edges of the curve, and nail. Do the same with the back. Nail the second side in place making sure to square everything up. Nail the top in place making sure all is square.

Attach the drawer pull to the bottom. Shim the bottom with scrap wood so it is centred. (It must fit loosely to provide drainage.) Drill pilot holes through the top and side holes with a 1/16” bit. Assemble temporarily with 1.5” wood screws. It should pivot on the rear screws and the front screw is removable for clean out. ( Remove the bottom before painting.)

After a careful final sanding, paint everything with the medium blue. I used a self priming paint and gave it two coats. Use the colour code on the templates to locate the other colours. You may want to cut your templates and trace the regions on the head and wings, then use a fine brush to add these details.

Attach the head with two 1.5” wood screws. Nail the wings in place and re-install the bottom. Attach the two picture hangers to the rear top edge with 1” wood screws.

Hang it in a tree and wait for the birds. After all, “If you build it, they will come.”