Coconut Birdhouse

Making a birdhouse from a coconut.

NEEDED ITEMS:
1. Coconut
2. Drill + small drill bit + circular drill bit
3. Hemp twine
4. Flat-head screwdriver
5. Coconut scrap or other item

Step 1: Opening the Coconut

Drain the coconut by sticking your srewdriver, or other implement, into the larger, softer mouth of the coconut's "face." Gently move screwdriver around to enlarge the hole. You can also use a drill bit if you want. Shake out the fluid.

Using the circular bit in your drill, pick a spot on the coconut and cut a hole. Make sure to have the "face" of the coconut pointed upwards because that will be where your string comes out.

Once your hole is made, use the flat-head screwdriver to remove the meat. I find that using the screwdriver to score the meat before prying the meat out, makes everything work better. Use a thrust and twist technique to work small chucks of coconut loose. Periodically you will need to shake the chunks out.

Comments

[rookie1]

Great ible.
I've used coconuts too. I fill the coconut with peanut butter and seed mix in the winter and let them eat everything, including the meat. When it's empty, then I put out nesting material in a wire cage for them. Then they can move in. My hole isn't as large as yours so the predators can't get at the chicks as easily. Again. very good and understandable ible.

[skerzzz]

Hey mstark77 i was wondering what kind of bird would live in this? since the hole is so big and all.... also asking because i live in nebraska and dont know if the kind of bird you used this for lives here.

[canida]

That would make a great bird feeder, too. One caveat - different birds prefer differently-sized entrance holes, so do your research about which local birds you want to attract beforehand.

[Legolutionary]

Very true. My friend and I made a bird box last summer for the Blue Tits around here (we're in the UK, btw). It's never been used because the hole is a fraction too big. They like to only just be able to squeeze themselves through, because it means that no bird bigger than them can follow them in... The commercial boxes have set opening sizes.

[mstark77]

A smaller opening make the coconut harder to clean with a screwdriver. Any ideas for making the opening smaller after cleaning?

[seamster]

I'm not sure about making the opening smaller after cleaning, but I've had success cleaning out coconuts through a hole as small as about 1 1/4". I've got more info in this instructable:<br/><br/><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Make_a_mini_potato_cannon_out_of_a_coconut/">http://www.instructables.com/id/Make_a_mini_potato_cannon_out_of_a_coconut/</a><br/> <br/>

[rookie1]

Good instructable. In winter, I used to make the hole, fill it with peanut butter and bird seed and let the birds eat everything out. Then, in the spring, the birds use it for nesting. Again, good instructable.

[cirano]

1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
King Arthur: Not at all. They could be carried.
1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: What? A swallow carrying a coconut?
King Arthur: It could grip it by the husk!
1st soldier with a keen interest in birds: It’s not a question of where he grips it! It’s a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut.

http://sillysidilly.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/the-knights-of-the-coconut/

Sorry that was a bit unrelated, but it had to be said. Monty Pythons rule.

Good ible though. Thanks

[iPodGuy]

I made one last night. Cool instructable!

[mstark77]

Thanks.

[canno]

I like this a lot great idea 5/5 you could use this as sort of a container in the kitchen or in a room somewhere in the house

[mstark77]

Thank you. It's all about hole placement. I've got a cup/container where I cut a hole in the "face" and flattened the bottom so it would stand up.

[Dr.Bill]

(;c{|} Wow. Guam. Is it very hot today ?

[seamster]

This is a great, simple project. Thank you for posting it! I had a coconut and was looking for something to do with it... I added a few more elements to make it a functional birdfeeder, but you definitely get all the credit for inspiration. I just need to fill it with birdseed. Thanks for the great idea!

[Dr.Bill]

(;c{|}

[SinAmos]

Good work, seamster. I love your additions, but i think maybe a little straw cut to form nesting areas would be even better. Maybe out of each cross section of stick.:)

[mstark77]

I really like the birdfeeder. I'll have to get another whole coconut and try this. Thanks.

[Dr.Bill]

Get new coconut with coconut meat in it or piece of chicken or whatever to put in it. Make the hole smaller. Put the string where you have it. Attach it to the ground with a wood steak. Lay coconut on ground. Wait overnight. Harvest Blue land crab in Guam. Oh, did I say you have to move to Guam First? First Move to Guam. I used to get Blue land crab lidat in Guam.

[Dr.Bill]

Greedy crab gets claw stuck in hole and wont let go. Same with some monkeys.

[MrL33TPenguin]

YEA!!! I'm already on Guam!! :)

[iPodGuy]

Yup. I'm gonna do this.

[SinAmos]

I actually like this a lot, even though it is simple. Simplicity is sometimes the best recipe.

[mstark77]

Thank you.

[lesrebnav]

hello, nice instructable, I like to work with "coconut wood"; it's a fantastic material, also hard to work and also very pretty when finish

[mstark77]

Thank you. I, too, love the finish of this "wood." Wouldn't it be great if it came in flat boards?

[scienceguy8]

What's the likelihood that a swallow or two picks it up and carries it off?

[jessyratfink]

The end result is very beautiful! I might have to make some for my back porch. We have tons of birds because no one seems to have a birdfeeder around here. :)

[mstark77]

Thank you. This was my first attempt at doing anything with a coconut.