How to Decorate Bird-House Gourds

Bird-house gourds are a popular, natural way to provide housing to birds. Many types of birds love the cozy feel of gourds. In addition, birds love to use the seeds and other materials left inside the gourds to build their nests. Gourds are easy to grow and dry, and if they are properly prepared, they can provide housing for birds for up to five years. After you prepare your gourd, decorate it as lavishly or as simply as you wish.

Oil-based exterior primer

Pencil or wood-burning tool

Hot glue gun and glue

Peg or stick (optional)

Paintbrush and acrylic paints

Permanent markers

Small sponge

Oil or watercolor pencils

Wood stain

Drill and bits

Wire

Prepare your gourd by painting it with an oil-based, exterior primer if you want to paint the entire thing. If you want to leave the surface looking natural, skip this step.

Sketch your design onto your gourd. You can do this with a pencil (and erase the lines later), or if you want deep lines, you can use a wood-burning tool.

Apply colors to your design. You can use acrylic paint, watercolor or oil pencils, or even wood stains. Apply with a paintbrush or a small sponge. You can also use permanent markers, although these are better used in small areas or for outlining areas.

Seal your birdhouse with two coats of UV-sensitive polyurethane or varnish. Let dry completely between coats.

Drill a hole in the top so that you an hang it from a wire. In addition, consider drilling a small hole and inserting a peg or stick for a bird to use as a perch. Secure with hot glue.

Use hot glue to attach other decorative items such as twigs and silk leaves.

Decorating the bird house gourd should only be done after the gourd has been properly cleaned and the entrance drilled. For instructions on how to do that, see the links in the resource section below.