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Birdhouse

Attracting birds to your yard depends on more than just food. Equally important are the other necessities of life, such as water and shelter. Different species of bird have very different nesting requirements, and the box illustrated here is intended to be used by hole-nesting birds such as blue tits, robins, and sparrows. Alternatively, you may find its aesthetic appeal works just as well as part of an interior setting. The size of the hole is critical, since invasion by other species of birds and animals is not uncommon if the recommended dimension is exceeded. With the instructions followed carefully, this project is an excellent starting point for the novice woodworker becasuse birds are not a critical audience.

ABILITY LEVEL

Novice

SIZE

10 x 8 x 6 in. (254 x 203 x 152 mm)

MATERIALS

Pine

Piece of leather or sheet rubber

CUTTING LIST

1 front

10 x 6 x .625 in. (254 x 152 x 16 mm)

1 back

10 x 6 x .625 in. (254 x 152 x 16 mm)

2 sides

7 x 5 x .625 in. (178 x 127 x 16 mm)

1 roof side

7.5 x 6 x .625 in. (190 x 152 x 16 mm)

1 roof side

7 x 6 x .625 in. (178 x 152 x 16 mm)

1 floor

8 x 5 x .625 in. (203 x 127 x 16 mm)

NOTE: All pieces can be cut from a single length, 50 x 6 x .625 in. (1270 x 152 x 16 mm).

A piece of floorboard would be suitable.

1: Begin by marking out the required pieces and saw to size. Mark each piece for its intended use so that there is no confusion later on.

2: Mark out the roof line on the front piece and cut away the waste wood to make the required 45° slope. Mark the position of the entrance hole on the front piece and drill it to the recommended diameter, which is 1 .125 in. (29 mm) for small birds such as tits and robins and 1.25 in. (32 mm) for larger birds such as sparrows. If you don’t have a drill of the right size, drill a series of small holes and enlarge them with a file. Smooth the edges of the finished hole.

3: Mark out the roof line on the back piece and cut away the waste wood to make the required 45° slope. Make a slotted hole in the back piece for hanging the finished box from a screw or nail.

4: Drill a couple of drainage holes in the floor piece of the box; about .25 in. (6 mm) in diameter is adequate.

5: Mark out and cut a 45° chamfer on the top edge of each side piece to follow the roof line.

6: Assemble the front, back and side pieces, without glue, and check that the side chamfers align correctly. Adjust as necessary.

7: Glue and nail the front, back, and side pieces together. Use a waterproof (outdoor) glue. Take care when nailing not to split the wood.

8: Put the floor piece into position. Note that there is an overhang to the front and sides. Glue and nail the floor into place, making sure that the structure remains square. Remove surplus glue and leave to dry.

9: Check the roof pieces for fit. Note how the longer piece overlaps the shorter. If all is well, glue and nail them into place.

10: Cover the roof joint with a strip of leather or sheet rubber. Attach this securely with large-headed nails or tacks.

11: If you want to be able to open the box for out of-season cleaning, only fix the shorter half of the roof permanently into position. Leave the other loose with the leather or rubber acting as a hinge.

12: Secure the hinged half of the roof with a simple catch. The detail illustration shows how to make this from two small fencing staples and a short piece of wire. Take care not to split the wood with the staples.

13: Perches beneath the entrance hole are not recommended, since they could encourage predators. However, you can fit one if you’d like, using a natural twig inserted into a drilled hole.

14: Treat the finished nest box with a suitable preservative, carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions and working in a well-ventilated area. Do this well in advance of hanging the box to allow the fumes to disperse. This also applies if you intend to paint the outside.

15: Place the box at least 6 ft. (2 m) above the ground and away from direct sunshine, preferably among trees or shrubs. Put the box out many weeks before the breeding season to allow birds to become accustomed to its presence in their territory.