When building a bird house you will need to consider the types of wild birds that you are trying to attract. Birds that nest in bird houses are called cavity-nesters. Some cavity-nesters, like woodpeckers, will excavate their own hole for nesting.
Other species of cavity-nesters will use abandoned woodpecker holes or naturally created cavities for nesting. Some examples of these species are chickadees, nuthatches and flycatchers.
Click here for suggested bird house dimensions.
Building a bird house for the wild birds in your area helps replace some of the natural habitat lost to development.
Bird houses come in many shapes and sizes. Some are made to be decorative and some are made to be functional.
The information provided here will focus on building a bird house that is more functional than decorative. However, a bird house that is functional can be wonderful to look at. I can think of few things as beautiful as watching parenting birds feeding and rearing their young fledglings.
Have you ever considered building a bird house, but thought it was too hard? Following these step by step instructions will make building a bird house fun and easy.
By adjusting the dimensions, you can use this same style of nest-box to attract many species including: flycatchers, titmice, chickadees, wrens and blue birds.
(Make sure you read and understand the directions and safety instructions for your tools before using them :)
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For ventilation, drill three 3/8" holes on each side near the top.
Align the sides on the back 4 3/4" down from the top (or aligned with optional slot). Drill pilot holes through the back into the sidepieces.
Two on each side should be enough. Attach the sides to the back with screws or nails.
Align the floor 3/8" from the bottom of the sides. Drill pilot holes through the sides into the floor.
Two on each side will be enough. Attach the floor to the sides with screws or nails.
Align the front to the top of the sides. Measure 3"down from the top on each side. Drill a 1/8" pilot hole through the sides into the front piece. Remove the front and enlarge the hole in the sides with the 5/32" drill bit. Place front piece on the bird house and attach with roofing nails. The front should pivot open, to clean out the bird house when needed. Drill pilot hole through front into floor. Attach the front to the floor
Align roof on top with equal overhang on each side. Drill pilot holes through roof into sides.
Two on each side should be enough. Attach roof to sides with screws or nails.
After building a bird house you will need to hang it.
Building a bird house is a perfect weekend project for you and your kids.
Observing the nesting behavior of wild birds will be fascinating to you and your children. Knowing that they were involved in the construction process of building a bird house, will give them an even bigger sense of accomplishment. Combining a birdhouse with a few bird feeders will create a natural bird habitat in your own back yard.
Return from Building A Bird House to A Home for Wild Birds Home
Apr 20, 17 01:36 PM
This bird has black and white wings, some yellow on breast and some orange spots. Was at my birdfeeder in Hyde Park (Boston) MA.
Apr 20, 17 01:35 PM
There are two of them that I am pretty sure are making a nest in a whole in the tree. Larger in size reddish colored back and when I shot a picture I
Apr 20, 17 01:34 PM
a small bird flew in to my house today its green in color small it has black strips on wings very small beak and way too cute, its hardly the size of palm
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