How To Build A Bird House With Used Wine Corks

The weather is finally starting to warm a little and my thoughts are turning to yard and garden.  I first saw this darling bird house, made from used wine corks, by virberello on Youtube about a year ago and finally decided to make one.

As you can see, it turned out pretty good. Now to get it outside and hopefully a bluebird will decide to nest there. But first, let me show you how I made it.

You will need

• Used wine corks, allow about 180.
• Glue gun and extra glue sticks ( I used 9 full size glue sticks)
• Knife

Safety first! Please remember the glue and glue gun tip are both very hot and can give you a severe burn. Even knowing this, I managed to burn myself twice but thankfully both were minor.

I suggest you pour all your wine corks out and take a look at them. Not all wine corks are the same length but fortunately there seems to be just two basic sizes. You will need to divide the shorter ones from the longer ones. You will also want to remove any odd shaped ones like these.

Odd shaped corks like this one are harder to work with

Also I found out that some corks aren't really cork but rather a rubbery substance that is harder to cut. Try to make sure you have the real cork ones anywhere that will need cutting. It will just make things a bit easier.

What you do:

I used the corks from less expensive wines on the bottom.

Begin by gluing 20 corks together to make the bottom. ( 5 x 4). Apply extra glue anywhere corks join. You will need to apply extra hot glue this way with each step as you go.

Now start the walls by gluing corks vertically down the sides and back. You will need about 9 down each side and 5 for the back. Total 23. I actually ended up with 10 down each side.

Continue the walls with another layer of corks again placed vertically right on top of the first layer. (23 corks)

One side of roof.

Now you need to begin the roof. Glue corks 3 wide and 12 long together (36 corks) for each side of the roof. (Total 72)

Create the front by gluing 19 corks together horizontally leaving out the middle cork on the 4th and 5th row.

And the back by gluing together 9 corks horizontally on top of the wall.

Now cut the corks on the front and back at an angle.

Next step is to glue the two roof sections on and apply about 6 corks along the center of roof peak.

If you need extra support under the eves you can cut a cork in half lengthwise and glue right up under the eve on both sides.

And there you have it! One wine cork birdhouse. ♥

Now...should I paint it? Hummm, what do you think?

Summary cork count. Please note these counts are approximate, you may need a few less or a few more depending on the size of the corks.

Bottom 5x4=20
Walls 2x23=46
Roof 3x12=36 x2=72
Front 19
Back 9
Ridge 6
2 extra for support if needed.

Total about 174 corks.



Update: I do not recommend hanging for birds to use. I hung this birdhouse close to my backdoor for decoration but a beautiful Crested Flycatcher and her mate decided to raise a family in it! I was thrilled but as the chicks grew and the parents were flying in and out all day, the birdhouse began to fall apart. Thankfully hubby and I managed to reinforce it enough to hold together until the babies left the nest. This year I have it mounted on a wood base instead of hanging and I believe it will do fine and provide a safe home for a new bird family.