Roughly 80 species of birds nest in cavities and thus are likely to use a nest box, according to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Some species are more likely to nest in boxes of a specific size and shape. By following the steps below you can build a nest box that is optimal for attracting all kinds of birds.
Instructions
1. Purchase a piece of bamboo. Bamboo is a good choice because it is considered one of the more environmentally friendly wood products on the market. Note that your bamboo nest box will need to be large enough to house the birds you want to attract. To see the dimensions for specific birds, click on the link below ("Build a Nest Box to Attract Birds"). If you are not sure which birds you wish to attract, you can use the following dimensions to build a six-sided box: 2 pieces of 5 1/4" wood (width of floor panels) and 4 pieces 10" wood (height of wall panels).
2. Use wood glue to attach the pieces of wood so that it forms a shape like a shoebox. Wood glue can be found at most home repair stores or on the Internet.
3. Mount the nest box on a metal or wooden post. Generally, the nest box should be 4 to 6 feet above the ground. Place the box in an open and grassy area. If you have a cat, be sure to keep it away from your nest box. According to the National Audubon Society, cats roaming outdoors are responsible for over 500 million bird deaths each year.
4. Get the most out of your nest box. Register with NestWatch, a nest-monitoring project developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and funded by the National Science Foundation. NestWatch teaches registered users how to collect and submit nest records, as well as how to maintain their nests. The link to NestWatch can be found below.
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