A growing community of bird enthusiasts not only enjoy the pleasure of bird-watching, which normally means observing birds quietly from a distance, they also extend this hobby to designing and building bird houses to attract them right into their own garden or backyard. Designing a bird house does not have to cost the earth and for anyone who enjoys woodworking and do-it-yourself activity it is a perfect way to spark your creativity.
There are a variety of ready-made kits for the novice bird house hobbyists to get you started but if you enjoy a challenge, constructing a bird house would require some initial design planning, then it is just a matter of assembling pieces of wood and materials that can be easily sourced from any hardware stores together, dusting off and putting your garage power tools to good use!
To get some new ideas or inspiration, there are a host of websites on the internet that offer invaluable insight into the process of bird house design and construction. Many books and publications target bird house construction for a specific species such as sparrows, titmice, swallows and nuthatches which often take advantage of a readily available nesting box or custom-made bird house.
Understanding the type of birds for which the bird houses are built is important when designing any bird house. The design of your bird house often does depend on a range of factors such as the size of the bird, their nesting behaviour (for example sparrows are gregarious creatures and like living in groups, therefore a bird house that can accommodate at least 3 mating pairs would be ideal), whether your bird house is predator-proof (for example the bird needs to feel safe roosting or nesting in your robust bird house with the entrance hole small enough to allow the bird through but too small for any predators to cause any trouble) and whether your bird house is located at a high enough location to fend off predators such as bigger birds, cats or dogs with ideal nesting conditions (for example the bird house is not in direct sunlight which could cause overheating to offspring and provides shelter from the rain.)
Most birds would choose a bird house that resembles a tree cavity, a place where the conditions are dry and relatively warm, free from dust or dampness and most importantly a place where predators cannot easily reach. Just like in their natural environment, use natural nesting materials such as coconut fibres, twigs and dry grass in your bird house to encourage mating. Weather proof the bird house with bird friendly non-toxic water-proof paint and ensure there are no loose bits that may come apart due to harsher weather conditions.
Building a bird house can be a family activity enjoyed by the young and old. Share your ideas with other budding bird house builders either through online forums, craft fairs or bird house suppliers. Not only is it a rewarding experience to design and create a bird house from scratch, the ultimate compliment will be when you find a contented mating pair nesting in it.
The arrival of spring heralds the return of birds to barren tree branches, to make homes with their families, or to take up residence in local area Bird houses that are either custom made or are built from pre cut bird house kits. As a bird lover and nature watcher the best way to see them up close is to build bird houses for the neighborhood birds, right on your own property.
Building a Bird House from a kit is a great activity that can involve the whole family. Pre-packaged kits with ready to assemble pieces are great because they do most of the work, and that makes it really easy if you aren't the naturally gifted carpenter. Make sure that you have all the necessary equipment before actually starting the project.
Some kits require only basic equipments. Wood glue that is weather proof, or water resistant, and rust proof nails to keep it together are the main equipment must-haves. More complex bird house kits would require you to have more equipment, make sure the kit being purchased can be easily made with the tools you already have.
The range of bird house kits varies, depending on the skill level of the builder. Basic single home Bird Houses are easy to do for first time builders, while, more advanced homes with multi stories are available for those looking for a challenge.
When building a Bird House from a kit, it's important to remember a few important tips. Make sure that some item of the bird house is removable. If the roof or the floor of the bird house can detach then it makes it easier for an annual cleaning.
Make sure the bird house kit that you purchase is the proper dimension for the kind of birds that you would like to see in your own back yard. The dimensions and entrance to the home must be precisely for a particular type of bird otherwise the homes can be taken over by squirrels and larger birds, evicting a poor and unsuspecting bird family.
Sometimes, leaving the bird house unfinished attracts more birds, considering that it closely resembles a natural home. Look for birdhouse kits with air holes drilled in the back wall, for ventilation, or along the house floor to let out rain waters. When putting the actual product together use water resistant glue and rust proof nails to insure the longevity of your finished product.
The height of the bird house will have to be adjusted, depending on the type of birds you are trying to attract to your yard. Keep in mind that some bird species only like to share their living space with their own species, and others still are willing to share with different kinds of birds.
Birds are quite particular, when it comes to choosing their future homes. To prevent the birds from moving into the neighbors' yard, place 2 to 3 bird houses facing different directions, to they may choose one with the most pleasant vantage point.
With careful inspection of a bird house kit before buying, you can insure that the bird house in your back yard will not be empty for long. And with the proper equipment and easy directions, any bird house can be a joy to have and be enjoyed all year long with the entire family.
Both Adam Douglas & Ken Charnly are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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