Elaborate outdoor wooden bird house design

The home I grew up on backed onto a forest, which was great. There were plenty of birds and sometimes deer came which us kids thought was amazing.

Adding elements to a yard that attract wildlife is great for kids and makes your yard come alive. I remember the day we put up a few bird houses (made by us in some class) along with a large bird bath. I thought it was great… and yes they did attract plenty of birds for years.

Bird houses are a terrific, inexpensive and simple way to dress up your yard. Not only can a bird house itself look great, but the fact it attracts birds can make your yard come alive.

There are literally thousands of bird house designs. The pictures of bird houses in this gallery offers a wide array of designs and examples to give you ideas… whether you plan on building a bird house (get 30 bird house plans here.) or buying one ready made (buy bird houses here.).

Locations for placing a bird house outdoors:

  • Perched on a post
  • On a tree branch
  • Attached to a tree trunk
  • Attached to the side or a large pole or post
  • Attached to the side of your home
  • Perched in the middle of a garden
  • Attached to a fence  or on top of a fence

Our photo gallery of bird houses showcases them in all kinds of settings and locations. Enjoy.

Find more backyard ideas in our definitive guide to backyards!

Large decorative log home bird house on a pole. It's a 2-story home with small upper level veranda.
Large decorative log home bird house on a pole. It’s a 2-story home with small upper level veranda.
Rustic three-story drift wood bird house perched on a wooden post.
Rustic three-story drift wood bird house perched on a wooden post.
Tudor style bird house replicating the main home on the property. The bird house is perched on a stone post which is situated in the middle of a circular flower garden.
Tudor style bird house replicating the main home on the property. The bird house is perched on a stone post which is situated in the middle of a circular flower garden. This bird house is a great example of getting a custom bird house built to resemble your home.
Rustic large wood bird house situated in garden.
Rustic large wood bird house situated in garden.
Picture of an well-crafted hexagon two story bird house replicating a home with front door, windows and wrap-around porch.
Picture of an outdoor well-crafted hexagon two story bird house replicating a home with front door, windows and wrap-around porch.
Large wood bird house with metal roof. Room for 4 birds. The structure sits on a wood plank in the middle of a field.
Large unique wood bird house with metal roof. Room for 4 birds. The structure sits on a wood plank in the middle of a field.
Church-style bird house with steeple propped above greenery.
Church-style bird house with steeple propped above greenery.
Scandinavian home style bird house in red and white color scheme placed on a branch in a tree.
Scandinavian home style bird house in red and white color scheme placed on a branch in a tree.
Simple wooden bird house with log siding and roof.
Simple wooden bird house with log siding and roof.
Large barn-style bird house with 12 access holes on two levels.
Large barn-style bird house with 12 access holes on two levels.
Yellow and green painted bird house with picket fence paint design set on a post in a lush garden.
Yellow and green painted bird house with picket fence paint design set on a post in a lush garden.
Rustic log bird house on wooden plank with snow on the roof.
Rustic log bird house on wooden plank with snow on the roof.
Large pole with 10 painted and colorful bird houses in the middle of a snowy landscape.
Large pole with 10 painted and colorful bird houses in the middle of a snowy landscape. Bird houses are a great way to decorate any pole or post.
Unique cylinder style bird house hanging from a tree branch.
Unique outdoor cylinder style bird house hanging from a tree branch.
Large log turned into a bird house attached to the side of a tree. This style is designed to look like a tree and blends well within trees.
Large log turned into a bird house attached to the side of a tree. This style is designed to look like a tree and blends well within trees.
Small blue and yellow painted bird house hanging from a tree branch.
Small blue and yellow painted bird house hanging from a tree branch.
Steel pole with 9 colorful bird houses perched at the top.
Steel pole with 9 colorful bird houses perched at the top.
Intricately designed bird house with white siding, red chimney, green shutters and red door.
Intricately designed bird house with white siding, red chimney, green shutters and red door.
Coconut bird house. Here's a unique, but simple concept for a bird house - turn a coconut into a bird house.
Coconut bird house. Here’s a unique, but simple concept for a bird house – turn a coconut into a bird house.
Three story white bird house attached to the side of a brick wall. Here's a great way to dress up a large windowless exterior wall.
Three story white bird house attached to the side of a brick wall. Here’s a great way to dress up a large windowless exterior wall.
A bird house garden. A series of 5 painted bird houses on painted posts situated in a cluster.
A bird house garden. A series of 5 painted bird houses on painted posts situated in a cluster.
Great example of an intricate bird house that blends well with the post on which it sits.
Great example of an intricate bird house that blends well with the post on which it sits.
Windmill style bird house. Here's a simple bird house design that looks like a simple windmill.
Windmill style bird house. Here’s a simple bird house design that looks like a simple windmill.
Custom bird house design with a wing painted in soft red. Roof is a series of small pieces of wood. Small logs in front of the house as a decorative bird house feature.
Custom bird house design with a wing painted in soft red. Roof is a series of small pieces of wood. Small logs in front of the house as a decorative bird house feature.
Three bird houses form the base for a second bird house perched on top.
Three bird houses form the base for a second bird house perched on top.
Painted cluster of bird houses structured into a bird house tower. Each are colorfully painted and sits on a wooden post.
Painted cluster of bird houses structured into a bird house tower. Each are colorfully painted and sits on a wooden post.
Example of 5 bird houses attached to the trunk of a large tree.
Example of 5 bird houses attached to the trunk of a large tree.
Simple three story bird house design with perch rods extending beneath the access holes.
Simple three story bird house design with perch rods extending beneath the access holes.
Bird house created with tree bark and wire frame.
Bird house created with tree bark and wire frame.
Massive five story white bird house perched on a tall post adjacent to a tree.
Massive five story white bird house perched on a tall post adjacent to a tree.
White octagon bird house in a gazebo design placed on a post.
White octagon bird house in a gazebo design placed on a post.
Small bird house called a Bird Cafe attached to a blue fence.
Small bird house called a Bird Cafe attached to a blue fence.
Large realistic style of bird house placed on a platform in a field with birds flying around. Yes, this image was edited extensively in a photo editor.
Large realistic style of bird house placed on a platform in a field with birds flying around. Yes, this image was edited extensively in a photo editor.
Brown-painted bird house with a real shingle for the roof. Hook loops attached to the roof so it can hang.
Brown-painted bird house with a real shingle for the roof. Hook loops attached to the roof so it can hang.
Natural wood bird house with a balcony below the access hole and picket fence at the base. This bird house is attached to a tree trunk.
Natural wood bird house with a balcony below the access hole and picket fence at the base. This bird house is attached to a tree trunk.
Pavilion style bird house. This design has no walls and serves as a bird shelter and feeder.
Pavilion style bird house. This design has no walls and serves as a bird shelter and feeder.
Bird house attached to a wooden fence in a style that blends with the fence.
Bird house attached to a wooden fence in a style that blends with the fence.
Bird house modeled after a farm house with veranda and tin roof.
Bird house modeled after a farm house with veranda and tin roof.
Tall narrow bird house painted in blue, orange and green to appear like a post.
Tall narrow bird house painted in blue, orange and green to appear like a post.
Ornate octagon wood bird house with shingle roof placed on a wooden post.
Ornate octagon wood bird house with shingle roof placed on a wooden post.
Wicker bird house hanging from a tree.
Wicker bird house hanging from a tree.
5 colorfully painted bird houses placed on top of a deck railing.
5 colorfully painted bird houses placed on top of a deck railing.
Cluster of rustic wooden bird houses attached to the side of a wooden shed.
Cluster of rustic wooden bird houses attached to the side of a wooden shed.
Red bird house with butterflies and flowers painted on it attached to a fence surrounded by flowers.
Red bird house with butterflies and flowers painted on it attached to a fence surrounded by flowers. This is a great example of a bird house blending in to its surrounding.
Series of three bird houses attached to a wooden fence.
Series of three bird houses attached to a wooden fence.
Large three story yellow bird house on solid wooden post in a field of grass and miles of tulip gardens/fields.
Large three story yellow bird house on solid wooden post in a field of grass and miles of tulip gardens/fields.
Large cluster of bird houses attached and climbing up a large tree trunk.
Large cluster of bird houses attached and climbing up a large tree trunk.
Example of a very simple hanging bird house design.
Example of a very simple hanging bird house design.
Gazebo style bird house with no walls.
Gazebo style bird house with no walls.
Large log home style bird house with steep roof hanging from a tree.
Large log home style bird house with steep roof hanging from a tree.
Asymmetrical bird house design made of wood. Small wooden awnings add a decorative touch to this bird house.
Asymmetrical bird house design made of wood. Small wooden awnings add a decorative touch to this bird house.
Massive Asian bird house design with red roof attached to a tall wooden pole.
Massive Asian bird house design with red roof attached to a tall wooden pole.
Elaborately designed 4-sided wooden bird house.
Elaborately designed 4-sided wooden bird house.
Extremely simple wooden bird house hanging from a small tree branch.
Extremely simple wooden bird house hanging from a small tree branch.
Large blue bird house that looks very much like a real house with a white front door, windows and front porch.
Large blue bird house that looks very much like a real house with a white front door, windows and front porch.
Series of 3 wooden bird houses in a display with mini bird baths.
Series of 3 wooden bird houses in a display with mini bird baths.
Small white painted bird house with steeple placed next to a large bird bath.
Small white painted bird house with steeple placed next to a large bird bath.
Red bird house on red shelf against a red house with a heart-shaped access hole.
Red bird house on red shelf against a red house with a heart-shaped access hole.

 

Large white painted birdhouse in a gazebo style with lattice fencing.
Large white painted birdhouse in a gazebo style with lattice fencing.

Learn more about birdhouses here.

Natural wood 6-sided hexagon bird house with perch shelves underneath the bird access doors.
Natural wood 6-sided hexagon bird house with perch shelves underneath the bird access doors.
Bird house in the shape of a boat made with wood.
Bird house in the shape of a boat made with wood.
Picture of 3 small bird houses with painted picket fence placed on the gate of a fence.
Picture of 3 small bird houses with painted picket fence placed on the gate of a fence.
Picture of a bird house constructed entirely of tree bark.
Picture of a bird house constructed entirely of tree bark.
Rustic wooden bird house with wood fence in front.
Rustic wooden bird house with wood fence in front.
Elaborate bird house made with hollowed out tree branches dressed up with pine cones, small branches sitting on a wood base with a small log fence.
Elaborate bird house made with hollowed out tree branches dressed up with pine cones, small branches sitting on a wood base with a small log fence.
Bird house created with dried vines shaped and held together with a wire frame.
Bird house created with dried vines shaped and held together with a wire frame.
Simple symmetrical bird house that is painted to look like a home.
Simple symmetrical bird house that is painted to look like a home.
A-frame wooden bird house with small cut branches forming the sides/roof.
A-frame wooden bird house with small cut branches forming the sides/roof.
Cylinder wooden bird house.
Cylinder wooden bird house.
Straw bird house with wooden covering designed in the shape of a bee hive.
Straw bird house with wooden covering designed in the shape of a bee hive.

 

Box-style bird house with sloped roof designed to attach to a flat surface such as a fence or the side of a house.
Box-style bird house with sloped roof designed to attach to a flat surface such as a fence or the side of a house.
Bird house made from hollowed out birch tree branch with straw roof.
Photograph of a bird house made from hollowed out birch tree branch with straw roof.
Table of Contents Show

The Following Bird Houses are Available for Purchase

(Click each bird house picture to learn more)

Bird house resembling a restaurant that can be placed on a stand or suspended from a tree.
Bird house resembling a restaurant that can be placed on a stand or suspended from a tree. Learn More.
Victorian house bird house with front porch, wood shingle roof, white door and windows.
Victorian house bird house with front porch, wood shingle roof, white door and windows. Learn More.
Gingerbread style bird house made with wood. Very intricate in detail.
Gingerbread style bird house made with wood. Very intricate in detail. Learn More.
Simple bird house built with kiln-dried red cedar wood with sloped roof.
Simple bird house built with kiln-dried red cedar wood with sloped roof. Learn More.
Thatch roof cottage bird house painted green resembling a small cottage home.
Thatch roof cottage bird house painted green resembling a small cottage home. Learn More.

How to Build Your Own Bird House:

If you prefer to build your own bird house, check out 30 bird house plans here.


(c) 2015

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Jon Dykstra owns an interior design company in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He's fascinated by architecture and interiors. He also enjoys gardening at his "house in the burbs" and "homesteading" at his off-the-grid boat-access cabin.

Combine all that with a love of writing and Homestratsophere.com was born. He balances his working time between running his interior design company, working on his off-the-grid cabin and publishing homestratosphere.com.

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