DIY Log Cabin Bird Feeder

Upcycle scrap wood into a rustic log cabin bird feeder for your feathered friends. Easy step-by-step tutorial included.

DIY wooden log cabin bird feeder on a garden bench

Calling all bird lovers and woodworking enthusiasts. In this easy-to-follow guide, I’ll show you how to turn leftover lumber into a charming log cabin bird feeder, a delightful spot for your feathered neighbors to enjoy a snack. So grab your tools and scrap wood, and let’s get building!

Table of Contents

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What Wood Should You Use?

A while back, I bought some 1×4 cedar boards. They weren’t perfect, but I figured I could make them work with some careful cutting. However, once I started, I realized they had more defects than I initially thought. In the end, I decided to save them for another project and wait to find better-quality lumber for my original idea.

Related: Beginner’s Guide to Wood Sizes

Closeup of a handmade bird feeder's cedar logs

Fast forward to building this log cabin bird feeder, and those cedar boards came to mind. While they were a little rough, they were perfect for this project:

  • Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, which is ideal for anything outdoors.
  • The imperfections added to the bird feeder’s rustic look.
Side view of a DIY log cabin-style bird feeder.

What Tools Do You Need?

I used four tools to make my bird feeder:

  • Table Saw
  • Miter Saw
  • Scroll Saw
  • Brad Nailer

Optional: I also used my trim router and a roundover bit to give the wood a log-like appearance. You can achieve a similar look with sandpaper, but it will take a little longer.

End view of a handmade log cabin bird feeder made from cedar

How to Make a Log Cabin Bird Feeder

Printed Plan

Get the PDF plan here (includes detailed instructions, measurements, and bonus tips)

Materials

Tools

  • Tape Measure
  • Miter Saw
  • Table Saw and Grr-Ripper
  • Scroll Saw
  • Kreg Multi-Mark
  • Drill and Drill Bits
  • Brad Nailer or Hammer
  • Router (optional)
  • ⅛” Roundover Bit (optional)

Before You Begin

I made this project with cedar, which can trigger allergies in some people, myself included. While I always wear a respirator for any woodworking project, I also try to work outdoors whenever possible to minimize exposure in enclosed spaces.


Step 1. Make the Logs

To build the bird feeder’s walls, I needed “logs.” To make them, I set my table saw and used a push block to rip them to width.

Related: 21 Table Saw Safety Rules (& Mistakes to Avoid)

Using a table saw to rip boards to width for a DIY bird feeder's walls

Using my trim router and a roundover bit, I removed the sharp edges, giving the logs a more cabin-like appearance. 

I adjusted the bit to remove about the same amount of material as three or four passes with sandpaper. You can use sandpaper if you don’t have a router, but it will be a bit slower.

Using a trim router to remove a board's sharp edges

Step 2. Assemble the Walls

For the bottom, you can use one solid board, and rip it to width using a table saw. I didn’t have one wide enough, so I glued up two smaller boards instead.

First, I cut two pieces of wood longer than I needed for the bottom. After gluing the boards together, I’ll cut it to the correct length.

To ensure a strong glue joint, I started by removing one edge from the boards. I placed the board next to the blade and gently snugged the rip fence next to it.

This method allowed me to shave off a thin amount of material. I repeated this step for the other board.

Shaving a thin amount off a board using a table saw

I placed the uncut edge against the blade, gently snugged the rip fence next to the cut edge, and shaved a thin amount off the second side, leaving me with two clean edges.

To ensure the feeder could withstand the elements, I applied an exterior waterproof glue to one edge.

To help spread the glue, I placed it next to the other board and moved it back and forth.

I twisted the clamps until they were just snug.

Clamping two boards together to form a panel

Once the glue was dry, I ripped it width using my table saw and cut it to length with my miter saw.

Ripping a board to width for a bird feeder's bottom using a table saw

Using my miter saw, I cut some logs to length.

TIP: I set a stop so I could cut the pieces to the same length.

With my trim router and roundover bit, I matched the ends to the edges’ rounded profile.

I applied glue to the edge of the bottom, placed a long log on it, and attached it using brad nails. I repeated this step for the other side.

TIP: Brad nails can sometimes curve rather than go straight if they hit a hard obstruction like a knot, so you want to make sure your hands are far enough away if that should happen. In other words, I should’ve moved my hand farther away.

Attaching a log to a bird feeder's bottom using a brad nailer

I applied glue to the end of the bottom and centered a short log using my Kreg Multi-Mark.

Positioning a log using a Multi-Mark

I attached it using brad nails and repeated this step for the other end.

Attaching a log to the end of a bird feeder's bottom using a brad nailer

For the second layer, using my miter saw, I cut more logs to length.

I applied glue to the long edge and centered a log using my Kreg Multi-Mark.

Centering a log using a Kreg Multi-Mark

I attached it using brad nails.

Attaching a log with brad nails.

I applied glue to the short edge, positioned a short log, and attached it using brad nails.

Using brad nails to attach a log

I repeated this step for the remaining sides, and repeated these steps for two more layers.

For the fifth layer, I attached a log to each end using brad nails.

For layers six through eleven, I cut 16 short logs to length.

On the short edge, I made pencil marks and applied glue between them.

Making a reference marks with a Kreg Multi-Mark

I positioned a log on the short end.

Using Multi-Mark to position a log

I attached it using brad nails.

Using a brad nailer to attach a log

I applied glue to each side, positioned a short log, and attached it with brad nails.

Attaching a short log with a brad nail

I repeated these steps for five more layers.

For the final layer, I applied a dab of glue to each end, positioned a log, and attached it using brad nails.

Attaching the final log using a brad nail

To ensure a strong connection, I clamped the assembly and allowed it to dry while I moved on to the next step.

Clamping the assembly

Step 3. Attach the Gables

I adjusted my miter saw to 45 degrees and cut an angle on one end of a board. 

Cutting an angle on a board for the bird feeder's gable

After flipping the workpiece toward me, I positioned the blade at the gable’s peak, and made the second cut.

Cutting the gable's second angle

I repeated these steps for the second gable.

For an exact fit, I centered the gable on the side.

Centering the gable on the bird feeder

With a pencil, I made reference marks on each side of the logs.

Using a pencil to make reference marks on the gable

I set my Kreg Multi-Mark to the logs’ height.

Using a Multi-Mark to determine the log's height

Using my Multi-Mark, I transferred the height to each side of the gable.

Transferring the logs height to the gable

With an “x,” I marked the area I wanted to remove.

Marking an "x" on the waste section

I repeated these steps for the second gable on the other end.

TIP: To avoid confusion, I labeled the walls and gables “A” and “B” to ensure proper placement.

Using my scroll saw, I removed the waste area from the gable.

Using scroll saw to remove the waste section

With my trim router and a roundover bit, I matched the gables’ bottom edge to the logs’ rounded profile.

Rounding over the gable's edges using a router

I applied glue to the end, positioned the gable, and attached it using brad nails.

Attaching the gable using a brad nailer

Step 4. Attach the Roof

You can make the roof sections from solid boards, but I didn’t have any wide enough, so I followed the same method I used to make the bottom, gluing two smaller boards together and then ripping to width using my table saw.

Ripping the bird feeder's roof to width with a table saw

At the miter saw, I cut two roof sections to length.

To help position the brad nails, I adjusted my Multi-Mark and made a light pencil line on each end.

Making a reference line for the brad nails

I applied glue to the gable, centered the narrow roof section from side to side, and attached it using brad nails.

Attaching the narrow roof section

I repeated this step to attach the wider roof section.

Attaching the wide roof section

Step 5. Attach the Hanger

To attach the hanger, I measured in from each edge.

Marking the location for the eye hook

Using the side of my awl, I made a flat spot at each mark.

Related: What is an Awl? (& How to Use It)

Making a flat spot in the roof's peak

In the flat spot, I used my awl to make a starting point for a drill bit.

Using an awl to make a starting point for the drill bit

Using a drill bit to make pilot holes for the screw eyes.

Related: How to Drill Pilot Holes (Why, When & Correct Size)

Making a pilot hole with a drill

Then, I drove a screw eye into each hole.

Driving an eye screw

I cut a piece of jute twine to length and tied it to the screw eyes.

That’s it. Your bird snack shack is ready for business!

Tying a knot around the eye hook.

Log cabin bird feed PDF plan graphic

Includes:

  • List of tools and materials
  • Complete measurements (in inches)
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Step-by-step photos
  • Detailed diagrams

or get the best value:


Video

Watch now, and I’ll show you step-by-step how to make a DIY log cabin bird feeder.


Final Thoughts

With some leftover wood, you can make a charming log cabin bird feeder that’s sure to become a favorite hangout for your feathered friends.

Don’t wait. Get your PDF plan (including the detailed instructions and measurements) now!

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