Which is the best wood for birdhouses

You have an idea what kind of bird house to build but don’t know what kind of wood to use. Here is a guide, which is the best wood for birdhouses and which is not.

Recyclable wood is very suitable for a bird house. But you definitely need to know what this wood has been treated with. If you are not sure you better not use this wood to build a birdhouse. Many wood preservatives are dangerous to birds. Using chemically treated wood does more harm than good to birds.

The thickness of the wood must be at least 0.75 “. Thinner wood does not protect against heat which can cause the birdhouse to overheat and it is very dangerous for bird chicks. During the winter, the cold gets in easily and the birds cannot use it as a winter shelter(winter roosting box).

Pine, cedar, oak and good quality exterior plywood are the best wood for birdhouses.

Pine is inexpensive wood, you can build a beautiful blue bird house cheaply. It does not swell or shrink at hot temperatures, so pine bird houses are very tolerant of outdoor conditions. Pine is a soft wood that is very easy to handle even with hand tools. Thanks to its good absorbency, you can paint the pine bird house easily.

The cedar provides good insulation. Which means during the summer in sunny weather the birdhouse does not overheat and in winter it is a great warming place for birds. Unlike other tree species, cedar does not swell or shrink in the rain, so the dimensions of the bird house never change. The cedar is also resistant to insect damage which makes it ideal for outdoor use.

Oak is strong and durable, but expensive than other tree species. A birdhouse built from oak requires more money, but you have a birdhouse that will last for years. The structure of oak is also very beautiful, the bird houses made of it are always very conspicuous.

Exterior plywood consists thin layers of wood glued together, which is also well suited for building a birdhouse. Plywood boards are available in several sizes, from which it is especially good to cut out complex birdhouse shapes with a jigsaw. 

Exterior Plywood does not withstand strong moisture, it is recommended to paint it outside or cover some bird-friendly wood oil.