Mourning Dove Birdhouse Plans

Mourning Dove Birdhouse Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Welcoming Home for These Gentle Birds

Birdhouses are a wonderful way to attract beautiful and entertaining birds to your backyard, and mourning doves are no exception. These gentle, gray-brown birds are known for their soft, mournful calls and their loving, devoted nature, making them a joy to watch and listen to. Building a mourning dove birdhouse is a rewarding project that can provide these birds with a safe and secure place to nest and raise their young. ### Materials and Tools Needed: - 1-inch thick untreated pine or cedar wood (12 inches x 12 inches) - 1-inch thick untreated pine or cedar wood (6 inches x 6 inches) - 1-inch thick untreated pine or cedar wood (1 inch x 12 inches) - 1-inch thick untreated pine or cedar wood (1 inch x 6 inches) - 1-inch thick untreated pine or cedar wood (2 inches x 2 inches) - Wood screws (1-1/2 inches) - Wood glue - Sandpaper - Paint (optional) - Porch swing (optional) - Saw - Drill - Hammer - Measuring tape - Pencil ### Step 1: Cut the Wood Pieces 1. Using a saw, cut the following pieces from the 1-inch thick wood: - 2 pieces (12 inches x 6 inches) - 2 pieces (6 inches x 6 inches) - 2 pieces (1 inch x 12 inches) - 2 pieces (1 inch x 6 inches) - 1 piece (2 inches x 2 inches) 2. Cut a 1-inch diameter hole in the center of one of the 12-inch x 6-inch pieces. This will be the entrance hole for the mourning doves. ### Step 2: Assemble the Birdhouse 1. Place one of the 12-inch x 6-inch pieces (with the entrance hole) on a flat surface. 2. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the edges of the 6-inch x 6-inch pieces. 3. Position the 6-inch x 6-inch pieces on the bottom of the 12-inch x 6-inch piece, one on each side, creating a box shape. 4. Secure the pieces together with wood screws. ### Step 3: Add the Roof 1. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the top edges of the birdhouse. 2. Place the second 12-inch x 6-inch piece on top of the birdhouse, aligning it with the edges of the 6-inch x 6-inch pieces. 3. Secure the roof with wood screws. ### Step 4: Add the Base 1. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the bottom edge of the birdhouse. 2. Position the 2-inch x 2-inch piece of wood underneath the birdhouse, centered between the 12-inch x 6-inch pieces. 3. Secure the base with wood screws. ### Step 5: Add the Landing 1. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the underside of the 1-inch x 12-inch pieces. 2. Position the 1-inch x 12-inch pieces underneath the entrance hole, one on each side, creating a landing platform. 3. Secure the landing with wood screws. ### Step 6: Add the Porch Swing (Optional) 1. Cut a small piece of wood (approximately 3 inches x 3 inches) for the swing. 2. Drill two small holes in the center of the swing piece. 3. Cut two pieces of string (approximately 6 inches long) and thread them through the holes in the swing piece. 4. Tie the strings to the underside of the landing platform, creating a porch swing. ### Step 7: Sand and Paint (Optional) 1. Sand the birdhouse to smooth out any rough edges. 2. Paint the birdhouse with a color of your choice (optional). ### Step 8: Hang the Birdhouse 1. Choose a suitable location for the birdhouse, such as a tree or a post, at a height of 6 to 10 feet. 2. Hang the birdhouse using a hook or a nail. Your mourning dove birdhouse is now complete! Enjoy watching these beautiful birds nesting, raising their young, and bringing life to your backyard.