Image by Skip the Filler via Flickr

Americans have loved the idea of log cabins for decades or more. The allure of a log cabin even in our political history can be traced back to the Whig party under William Henry Harrison. The log cabin was so pervasive in the early history of the US that there were actually seven Presidents born in log cabins, the most famous of these was of course Abraham Lincoln. It’s these simpler times that are evoked when we see a log cabin.

The design of a cabin was deceptively simple. Stacking logs for each wall, the individual logs were notched near the ends so that they could lock together with the logs from the adjoining wall. The inevitable gaps between the logs were filled in mud and sod. For a simple birdhouse, this level of complexity is often skipped, and the “logs” may be an applique glued on to the surface of a flat wooden wall. Prices range from less than $10 to more than $100.

Log Cabin Designs for Birdhouses

There are many types of designs for log cabin birdhouses. Some are crafted from ceramic, and are finished in many colors that one wouldn’t normally associate with a log cabin. These designs tend to be smaller, and would house birds like wrens.

You find some made from traditional woods like fir, in small sizes that look like a simple fishing shack or a frontier home, to much more elegant designs that tend to look more like 2 or 3 story mansions, but retaining the log wall look.

An increasingly popular alternative is a bamboo bird house. As bamboo gains popularity as a sustainable yet sturdy hardwood, you will find more and more birdhouses built from this wood species. And while many bamboo houses are designed to reflect the oriental roots of bamboo, there are many that are built to look more like traditional designs, and this includes log cabin designs.

Take a look at some of the variety of log cabin birdhouse designs. You’re sure to find one that fits your home and garden.