Creating a bird house is an easy and rewarding activity that can bring a sense of tranquillity and beauty to any backyard. Whether you’re adding a touch of flavor to your garden or giving the local wildlife a cozy new abode, you’ll have a blast building a bird house. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A sanding block.
- A saw.
- Some wooden boards.
- Some paint.
- A drill.
- Some screws.
- A hammer.
- Some nails.
The first step is to acquire the right pieces of wood for your bird house. You’ll need several pieces for the roof, walls, and entrance hole. It’s a good idea to find wood that is not too thick or heavy, as this will improve the overall appearance of your bird house.
Once you’ve got your wood, it’s time to start working. To make sure your pieces fit together, grab your sanding block and start shaping. Sand all the edges of your wooden boards until they’re nice and smooth.
Next, grab the saw and start cutting. Cut the wood into the desired shapes, remembering that you’ll need to leave an entrance hole for the birds. The size and shape of the entrance is up to you — a good size is 1.5 inches by 4 inches.
Now that you’ve got all your pieces ready, it’s time to start putting them together. Take two wooden panels and attach them vertically to form the sides of the bird house. Attach a third panel on the bottom to form the floor and use screws and nails to make sure the structure is secure.
Then, attach your roof. Measure the length of the sides and cut two wooden panels to fit the length. Use screws and nails to fasten the roof onto the sides of the bird house. Finally, use wood glue to stick the entrance hole that you’ve cut earlier.
Once all the construction is done, it’s time to paint. Grab your paintbrush and start coating! Paint the bird house a bright color of your choice — this will attract birds and make your bird house look even better. If you want, you can also add some cute decorations such as colorful stars or birds.
Finally, hang your bird house from a tree or other elevated space. Make sure it’s secure so it won’t fall during storms and strong winds.
Installing The Interior Of The Bird House
Now that your bird house is constructed and painted, it’s time to install the interior. Start by finding a range of twigs and bark that are the right size for your bird house. The thicker, the better — as this will provide more nesting material.
Secure the twigs and bark on the floor of your bird house and line the walls. Make sure you don’t leave any gaps or the birds won’t be able to comfortably nest.
If you want to attract songbirds, you can also add a ‘lookout peg’ — this is a wooden rod that will give the birds a way to spot predators. To make a lookout peg, measure the height of your bird house and choose a wooden rod that’s slightly longer. Now drill a hole on one side of the walls and place the rod in it.
Entrance Hole Design
An important aspect of bird houses is the entrance hole design. You’ll need to choose the right size for your particular species of bird. For instance, a wren will require a small hole, whereas a bluebird needs a much larger one.
A great tip is to experiment with different entrance hole sizes to see which birds are attracted! You can also block off holes to prevent large birds from entering and monopolizing the bird house.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Just like a regular house, your bird house will need some periodic maintenance. Start by keeping it free of debris and blocking any open cracks or gaps. Every spring, use a brush to clean out any collected debris and make sure the entrance hole is still the right size.
You can also add a layer of fresh nesting material if needed. This will make sure your feathered tenants have a cozy and comfortable place to stay.
Attracting Birds To Your Bird House
Now that your bird house is finished, all you need to do is attract birds! There are several methods you can use. Firstly, you can place bird feeders near your bird house. This will naturally attract birds and give them easy access to food.
You can also place a watering dish nearby. This will keep the birds hydrated and more likely to nest in your house. Finally, some plants and flowers attract birds in the right location — do your research to see which ones will make for the best feathered tenants!
