Building a birdhouse can be a fun and rewarding weekend project. Installing an easy-to-assemble, or DIY birdhouse in your backyard helps provide a safe, cozy shelter for various bird species. Let’s guide you through different installation processes for simple and classic designs.
1. MATERIALS NEEDED
To start, you’ll require timber (Cedar is ideal due to its decay-resistant quality), outdoor wood glue, drill, screws (1-1/2” and 3/4″ long), pencil, tape measure, safety goggles, work gloves, and a miter saw.
2. BIRDHOUSE CONSTRUCTION
Start by measuring and cutting your timber to the correct lengths. The birdhouse will consist of six main sections – front, back, two sides, and two for the roof.
Using your tape measure and pencil, mark the appropriate lengths onto your cedar. The front piece should measure 7”x 7”, the back 7”x 8”, sides 4”x 6”, and roof pieces 5”x7”. After marking, use your miter saw to cut the necessary pieces.
Now to assemble, apply wood glue along one edge of a side piece, attaching it to the back edge at a right angle. Secure with 3/4″ screws using a drill. Repeat the steps on the opposite side. Attach the front to the birdhouse in the same manner. Remember to leave an appropriate hole (1” to 1-1/2” diameter) on the front piece for the bird’s entry.
Finally, attach roof pieces on top, overlapping them for better rain protection. Secure with 1-1/2″ screws. Leave the bottom section unsealed for clean out.
3. INSTALLING THE BIRDHOUSE
Choose a quiet, high-traffic bird area for the birdhouse. Usually, garden trees make a good spot, or a pole can be erected if no natural surfaces are available.
Ensure you mount the birdhouse 5-6 feet above the ground to protect the birds from predators. Additionally, a covering canopy for birds is essential against weather elements.
Mounting on a Tree
For tree mounting, use stainless steel or ceramic coated screws which are rust-resistant. Screw through the back panel and into the tree. In case the tree’s bark overgrows into the screw head in the future, use a washer and guard against it. Avoid nailing; it can harm the tree.
Mounting on a Pole
For pole mounting, a conduit pole screwed onto a flange is the best choice. The conduit is rust-resistant and can blend in with the surroundings. You can attach the flange directly to the bottom of the birdhouse; hence no bracket is required. Make sure the pole is securely fitted into the ground.
4. MAINTENANCE OF THE BIRDHOUSE
To keep the birdhouse in a good state, clean it out annually before the bird breeding season begins. Remove the screws on one side or bottom, clear out any old nesting material and wipe the inside with a mild solution of bleach and water (nine parts water, one part bleach). This helps kill any parasites or diseases. Remember to rinse and let it dry before reassembling.
Painting the birdhouse is not recommended. Birds prefer a natural finish, and certain paints can be harmful. However, if you want to add a layer of non-toxic weather-resistant stain, it can help extend your birdhouse’s life.
Optimize the birdhouse usage by avoiding areas of strong wind exposure and pointing the birdhouse entrance towards the north or east – this reduces the entryway’s exposure to severe weather elements.
Lastly, ensure the birdhouse isn’t in a location where pesticides or herbicides will be used, as they can be harmful to birds.
5. BIRD SAFETY
For the safety of your bird tenants, consider installing a predator guard or baffle. Predator guards can be metal, wooden, or plastic shields added around the entrance hole to prevent larger animals from accessing the birdhouse. Pole baffles are dome-shaped obstacles fitted onto the birdhouse pole, impeding predators’ progress up the stake and into the birdhouse.
Remember, part of creating a safe environment for birds involves leaving them undisturbed. Monitor the birdhouse from a distance – birds spook easily, and too much human presence can prevent them from moving in.
In conclusion, the reward of installing a birdhouse goes beyond having an aesthetically pleasing feature in your backyard. It contributes to conservation efforts by providing local bird species a safe place to nest and thrive. By following these steps, you can contribute to ensuring the presence of a vibrant, chirping bird population in your immediate environment, adding life and color to your home.
