How To: Building a Green Roof Birdhouse

There is great satisfaction in hosting birds in your yard. The sensory pleasures of the sight and sound of birds cheer us all. Another equally satisfying pastime is gardening. What better way to combine these two rewarding projects than to build a green roof birdhouse? I built this birdhouse using the standard eastern bluebird measurements and construction guide (see internet or woodworking project book). However, this concept can be used for most birdhouses, ie. chickadee, finch, woodpecker, etc.

Eastern Bluebird Birdhouse Dimensions:
Interior Size: 4” x 4” - 5” x 5”
Height of Box: 8” - 12”
Entrance Diameter: 1-1/2”
Height of Entrance: 6” - 7”
Height above Ground: 5’ - 10’

Supplies Needed:
1” x 5” Five Foot Cedar Board
1” x 4” Five Foot Cedar Board
1-1/2” Hole Drilling Bit
Galvanized Finishing Nails
Wood Glue
Fine Sandpaper
Basic Hand Tools
Electric Drill & Bits
Electric Saw
Roof Flashing


This birdhouse is made of cedar, but any rot resistant wood will work as well (white pine, redwood, etc.). Follow the directions for the birdhouse of your choice. After completion, the following is how to turn an ordinary birdhouse into a green roof birdhouse. If you would prefer not to build the birdhouse, you may purchase one already made and follow the following steps.

Trim the roof flashing to fit over the roof cutting four inches longer to allow for pleating. Fold two pleats on each side of the roof. This flashing protects the roof from rotting and the pleating holds the dirt in place until the roots of the plants can grow. Nail down the flashing. I cut an inch off the 1” x 4” to make it a 1” x 3” for aesthetic reasons; however, you can use the 1” x 4”. Simply box in the roof to make a planter. If you have a miter, this will make this relatively easy.

Bluebirds like their nests to be in the open, therefore place in an open, sunny area*. I used succulents because of their size, drought tolerance, sun loving and adaptability to soil conditions. You don’t have to worry about watering them. The occasional natural rainfall should be adequate. The plants used are: hen and chicks, rosette type succulents and various varieties of sedum. Fairview has a wide variety of these plants for you to customize your green roof. As always, if you have any questions concerning this project, please give us a call. The greenhouse staff will be glad to assist.

*See our bluebird article about nesting box placement.

Happy Bird Watching (and Gardening)!
Shirl Keith
Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center