How To: Build a Wren House

What you will need

• 1 X 6 cedar or untreated pine board at least 3 feet long
• An adult with a saw
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Drill 
• 1 1/8-inch drill bit
• Countersink drill bit
• Screwdriver
• 1 5/8-inch exterior wood screws (about 30)
• Two small eye screws\
• Short length of cord or wire

Here's what you do

1. With an adult, measure and cut the first piece of the wren house. Measure from the new end to cut the next piece. Repeat for all pieces.
2. Drill a 11/8-inch hole in the front piece.
3. Cut the top of each side at a 45 degree angle.
4. Attach the front and back to the bottom with screws. Drill pilot holes with a countersink bit so the screws don’t split the wood.
5. Attach the sides.
6. Attach the roof pieces. Start with the smaller roof (a). Line up its edge with the peak (b). Make sure the larger roof (c) lines up with the face of the small roof.
7. Twist two eye screws into the peak of the roof. Tie cord or wire between the eyes.
8. Hang your wren house 6 to 10 feet high in a tree. Wrens prefer areas that have lots of bushes and shrubs. If you build more than one house, space them at least 20 feet apart.