Instructions on How to Make a Hummingbird House

Hummingbirds are not attracted to conventional bird houses. Instead, they prefer an open home, which is why they build nests in the forks of tree branches. You can create a hummingbird house but the house should be designed specifically to suit hummingbirds if that is the species that you hope to attract.

Things You'll Need

  • Water balloon
  • Newspaper
  • Papier-mache paste
  • Scissors
  • Wooden dowels
  • Nesting material
  • Silk leaves
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Instructions

  1. Nest Base

    • 1

      Inflate a water balloon with air and tie it securely.

    • 2

      Tear newspaper into 1-inch strips.

    • 3

      Dip newspaper strips into papier-mache paste and apply them to nearly all of the balloon, leaving a small space for the birds to enter into the house.

    • 4

      Continue to apply newspaper strips to the balloon until you have a sturdy form. Allow to dry completely.

    • 5

      Pop the balloon with a pin and allow it to deflate completely. Peel the balloon away from the papier-mache nest form.

    Birdhouse

    • 6

      Punch four holes in the bottom portion of the nest and feed dowels through the holes to create a sturdy bottom frame.

    • 7

      Glue nesting material, silk leaves and other accents to the nest's base to create a more natural-looking nest for the hummingbirds.

    • 8

      Add some nesting material to the interior of the hummingbird house. You do not have to overdo the nesting material, as the hummingbirds will add their own.

    • 9

      Fit the birdhouse into the forks between the branches of a tree. Make sure that it is properly secured in the tree and will not fall out.