Very cool!

Very cool. We used to sell these gourds at the garden center where i used to work. People would always ask how to get the seeds out so the birds could use them for nesting. They weren't sure whether to believe me when i said the birds would do that for you. Now we have proof!

The seeds are bigger than I thought a wren would like, but it seems it's handling it just fine.
I put another gourd out after seeing this today!

Did you make the first hole or did the bird?

dampflippers-It's jagged and looks as if the bird made it however, my hubby and I did it, using the wrong drill bit. We improved on the next gourd! ;-)

So you just start by putting the hole in and then wait for the birds? Is it only sized suitably for wrens?

Yes Too Many Pets-Cut entrance hole and put a few small drainage holes in the bottom for air circulation mostly, then hang and wait for an inhabitant. This isn't an actual birdhouse gourd. I had received the seeds in a trade and they were labeled turban gourds which they didn't turn out to be. They are the size of turban gourds so I'm assuming they were a result of cross pollination, as they're not the color or unique shape of turban gourds. Since these gourds are smaller than birdhouse gourds, I don't think a bird such as large as a purple martin would use them. Therefore, we cut a 1 1/4" hole to accomodate small birds such as wrens and chickadees.

Cool!! I have a gourd like that I saved from last autumn decor. DD and I are planning on growing some this year. Don't you love knowing you gave an animal a home?

How high did you hang it? What is a good spot for a gourd house? I have a lot of wrens around me

Flowerkitty-it's hung on a 4' tall iron fence surrounding my pool. I can't answer "What is a good spot for a gourd house?" I really don't know. It's best kept away from predators if possible. For a better answer, you could ask some of the experts that hang out on the Bird Forum:

Here is a link that might be useful: Bird Watching forum

rofl.... my next door neighbor grew her own gourds to make the little houses. Only trouble was she left them on the picnic table to dry....... and the squirrles grabbed them and high tailed as fast as they could. Wish I had the camera when Ellen was running after them screaming "give me back my gourds". :o)