Bird House Plans

Bird House Plans

Finding The Right Bird House Plans

Author: Jay Royster

A simple project for bird lovers that they can put in their backyard to enjoy bird watching is a bird house. Frequently, home owners will construct two houses to attract multiple species of birds to their yard. You can find bird house plans for free at various bird society and nature websites.

Step by step instructions are generally included in plans outlining the process of building a specific type. Some birds will actually use another bird's nest as a home, so these types of birds could really use a home of their own. Bluebirds are one such species, and because of suburban community development their population has continued to decline since they are having a much more difficult time finding a home.

Materials

Because each species has its own needs and requirements for living, many bird house plans will be specifically designed for that species only. Plans for two different species could overlap a bit, meaning you might be able to use a plan designed for several species of small birds, while also being able to use a plan designed for several species of larger birds.

Cedar is an excellent wood to use for because it naturally repels insects. This will result in birds finding the house more attractive since they know insects will not be a disturbance.

Placement

Other instructions included in a plan could include how to attach or place one on the top of a pole or post. This is designed to make it difficult for predators to gain access a bird's home. Some of the predators include raccoons, squirrels, and cats. They will often climb a tree to get into the bird house, where they will proceed to eat the eggs that are inside.

However, when it's placed on top of a pole, predators a much less likely to be able to get to the eggs or young birds. The bird house plans will indicate how high it should be mounted, so predators can't get in while the owner can still view it in order to see the nest developing.

Bird house plans might also include the ability to open the front of the house to view the nestlings and the nesting process from beginning to end. The front of some houses are able to open on a hinge while having a clear plastic interior to leave the nest undisturbed but still allowing people to see inside.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/finding-the-right-bird-house-plans-2081332.html

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10 Responses to Bird House Plans

  1. Anonymous says:

    Building a bird house:
    http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/BrdHouse

    Simple plan for small birds:
    http://habitat.ms11.net/bird/birdhouseplan.jpg
    Wren House plan:
    http://habitat.ms11.net/bird/wrenhouseplan.jpg
    Log birdhouse:
    http://habitat.ms11.net/bird/LogBirdHouse.htm
    Wrens are small songbirds, & are native to North and South America, Asia, and Europe. The wren is one of the most beloved songbirds of all time, and it is truly a pleasure to hear them singing in the morning

    From Texas Parks & Wildlife-Specifications for Bird Houses
    http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_birds/bird_houses/

    Purple Martin House:
    http://www.50birds.com/BPPurpleMartin.htm
    Dates of Purple Martin sightings in the south:
    http://www.purple-martin-house-plans.com/scouts.html

    Bird house construction plans from Cornell:
    http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/resources/construct

    Coconut Birdhouse:
    http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/how_to/build_your_own/coconut_birdhouse.aspx

    Mark Johns, who works with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to coordinate the N.C. Partners in Flight Program bird conservation program, says there are some things to be aware of. “Don’t use treated wood if at all possible…Try to use a wood that does not decay easily, like cedar or cypress. It will last longer.” advises: “Avoid painting boxes or treating wood with a preservative. This may cause the boxes to absorb too much heat (if you use a dark color) or give off toxic vapors.”
    http://faculty.ncwc.edu/MBrooks/pif/Native%20Plant/Build%20a%20better%20birdhouse.htm
    This site links you to info about specific birds:
    http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bios/sp_accts/
    Carolina Chickadee inhabits the southeastern United States:
    http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bios/sp_accts/cach

    Good luck! Hope this helps.

  2. Anonymous says:

    A blue jay will not use a birdhouse. Only birds that are cavity nesters use birdhouses. A blue jay will make its nest in the limbs of a tree or on a flat shelf.

    A birdhouse is not a house for a bird to live in or sleep in. Think of a birdhouse as a nursery, not a house or a bedroom. A cavity nesting bird, like a wood duck or a bluebird or an owl, will make its nest in a birdhouse (also known as a nest box). It will lay its eggs there and raise its family, and then leave.

  3. Anonymous says:

    The size of bird house you build depends on what type of birds you are trying to attract. You can start by simply typing “bird house plans” into Google and looking at image results. You might also try modifying the search to whatever type of bird you want to attract, i.e., “robin bird house plans”. Different birds have different requirements for house height, floor area, entrance size and entrance location.

    If you have starlings in your area (and who doesn’t) you will want to avoid putting a perch on the front of your bird house. Starlings will wait on the perch and kill the birds as they come out. Though it may look attractive, it will ensure an empty bird house.

    Scrap 1×4 or 1×6 wood is a good material to use. Do not use a license plate for the roof unless you want a decorative empty birdhouse. The metal roof will heat up to house too much.

  4. Anonymous says:

    This is where I get all my bird house feeder ideas from!

    http://birding.about.com/cs/birdhousesfeeders/a/buildingindex.htm

  5. Kim B says:

    where do i find free bird house plans?

  6. stubby says:

    does anyone know a good website for free bird house plans?
    one with all kinds of different species

  7. plowmscat says:

    Good bird house plans site?
    Hey there, Does anyone know of any good sites that have bird house plans on them. The ones I have found are not too good.
    I am looking for plans for birds that live in the southern U.S.
    Thanks!

  8. guyj45 says:

    hay are there any free sites for bird house plans.?
    i need a free site i went to google and gooled it i went to ask and other sites and cant find anything they always used to be free but please help me i need to buld one for this blue jay that lives under my porch please help.

    thanks,jordan

  9. MaryL says:

    bird house plans for a simple bird house?
    I need plans on how to make a simple birdhouse. Thanks…

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