Robert S
Well-known member
I'm thinking of setting up nest boxes. Know nothing about them so any advice welcome.
Nest Boxes
- Thread starter Robert S
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Nest boxes can work well if they're built and set up properly. Each species has its own unique requirements - size, design, materials, placement, so you should decide on what birds you're interested in attracting, and dig in finding out what you can about their nesting behavior. There are a number of good retailers that sell various nest boxes, but it's much more enjoyable (and cheaper) to make your own if you're so inclined. You might check out NestWatch (https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/) or Audubon (https://www.theaudubonshop.com/product-category/bird-houses-nesting-boxes/). Your local Audubon chapter also would be a good place to start.
Good luck!
Box Brownie
Member
I did a quick search and found an Australian based website about nest boxes for your birds 'down under' that includes pdf downloads with bird specific 'build your own' plans
www.birdsinbackyards.net
HTH and you enjoy seeing and photographing your feather friends
PS there are likely other such websites?
PPS yes, others to learn from:-
nestboxtales.com
backyardbuddies.org.au
Nest Box Plans | BIRDS in BACKYARDS
HTH and you enjoy seeing and photographing your feather friends
PS there are likely other such websites?
PPS yes, others to learn from:-
Nest Box Designs
There are a number of organisations that have developed nest box designs for the particular preferences of Australian hollow nesting species. I would strongly recommend either purchasing from an ex…
nestboxtales.com
Build a Nest Box
Nest boxes replicate natural shelters such as tree hollows. They are fun, easy and cheap to make, and will provide a secure home for many years to come.
backyardbuddies.org.au
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Robert S
Well-known member
Thanks for the replies. The web sites are good. I had found some. This one gave me some ideas
Big problem is where to put them. First thought is to keep them away from where I feed birds. Live on a couple of acres so lots of trees to choose from. It seems the higher the better, but I'm past climbing ladders so will need help with that.
One tip, when you decide what birds you wish to attract, determine the appropriate size hole. Then drill that size hold in a square piece of wood and attach that to the front of the box. Other birds like starlings, European House Sparrows and even woodpeckers will try to enlarge whatever hole you have. With the hole on a separate piece of wood, it is fairly easy to remove that and put a new one on. Also, make the bottom of the box removable so you can clean it out at the end of the season. I would also say keep it simple in the design, a simple sloped roof, and simple joints. Leave the mitered joints for future project unless you've done a lot of work cutting mitered panels. Some birds, like bluebirds, would use a slot cut in the front instead of a round hole. I've built a few to hang around my yard. They are not pretty but they work (that is how I knew about starlings and woodpeckers making the holes bigger). I have seen some made from hollowed out pieces of tree limb, gourds, even PVC pipe. Carolina wrens are not overly picky about nesting locations, a friend had one make a nest and raise the family in a pair of boots in his shed.
Hope you will post some photos of whatever you build. Interesting projects.
Hope you will post some photos of whatever you build. Interesting projects.
Or go to a farm supply and buy them off the shelf. I know they are useable for the yard birds.
Ones I have mounted to tree trunks are at the 6-7 foot height (posts work). They are positioned at the edge of the woods facing my yard (grass lawn mostly). The nearest to feeders I have placed houses has been 20 feet but now I like 30-40 for the closest.
Ones hanging from limbs work. If you don’t want them to spin, then you can add cord from the house sides to tie back to the tree trunk.
After having large birds widen the entrance holes, I add copper “portals” to limit use to smaller birds such as wrens, bluebirds, titmouse, and nuthatches. Portals ( wood blocks) can help on egg stealing.
Ones hanging from limbs work. If you don’t want them to spin, then you can add cord from the house sides to tie back to the tree trunk.
After having large birds widen the entrance holes, I add copper “portals” to limit use to smaller birds such as wrens, bluebirds, titmouse, and nuthatches. Portals ( wood blocks) can help on egg stealing.
Robert S
Well-known member
Thanks for the info.
Robert S
Well-known member
They tend to be expensive here Charles. Will try making some.
Robert S
Well-known member
Thanks for the advice.
One solution is to reuse wooden pallets for your nest boxes, they can be had for free in lots of places, are normally untreated material and when cut can be close to the right size for nest boxes.
Be prepared though you may not get what you imagine or hope for as occupants, we have had bees, possums, feral birds etc occupy nest boxes I have installed on the yard fences and on a neighbours trees.
You will find that some species will nest close to the ground, so a few low hanging boxes may be useful.
A 300mm collar of thin sheet metal around the mounting structure will also help stop predation from rats, mice and feral cats.
Pardalotes - small box.
Brush-tailed Possums took over the large box with the chewed hole (to let their shoulders through the hole), it was supposed to be for Eastern Rosellas.
These pallet wood boxes are at least 7 years old and were still in use until the attachment to the trees failed and they fell down.
Be prepared though you may not get what you imagine or hope for as occupants, we have had bees, possums, feral birds etc occupy nest boxes I have installed on the yard fences and on a neighbours trees.
You will find that some species will nest close to the ground, so a few low hanging boxes may be useful.
A 300mm collar of thin sheet metal around the mounting structure will also help stop predation from rats, mice and feral cats.
Pardalotes - small box.
Brush-tailed Possums took over the large box with the chewed hole (to let their shoulders through the hole), it was supposed to be for Eastern Rosellas.
These pallet wood boxes are at least 7 years old and were still in use until the attachment to the trees failed and they fell down.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Lots of free plans here: https://www.thespruce.com/free-birdhouse-plans-1357100
Somebody gave me a hanging house similar to ww.diygardenplans.net/bluebirdhouse.htm which is in the picture below. Changes he made using all plywood: 1) front and back match with a short horizontal cut at the top of each for ventilation, 2) the floor is cut to go inside the walls and attached with counter sunk screws to allow for floor removal and cleaning (all nails for the rest of the house), and 3) added a screw-in hook on the top for hanging.
We have had bluebirds use the house multiple times as well as nuthatches last year.
Somebody gave me a hanging house similar to ww.diygardenplans.net/bluebirdhouse.htm which is in the picture below. Changes he made using all plywood: 1) front and back match with a short horizontal cut at the top of each for ventilation, 2) the floor is cut to go inside the walls and attached with counter sunk screws to allow for floor removal and cleaning (all nails for the rest of the house), and 3) added a screw-in hook on the top for hanging.
We have had bluebirds use the house multiple times as well as nuthatches last year.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
I would suggest contacting you local Audubon Society. The one in Tucson has conducted studies and built bird species specific nest boxes for our area. They are often given away and/or sold at a very low cost. Good for you wanting to do this!
aolander
Well-known member
Often "store bought" bird houses are not satisfactory for birds and can even be death traps. Make your own from proven designs developed by various bird organizations. I have a "bluebird trail" with about a dozen boxes spaced at recommended distances. Boxes made for bluebirds are also used by tree swallows and other species, like chickadees, depending upon the habitat in which you place them. I'm sure you have lots of cavity nesters where you live that would take to a nest box, but they need to be made for specific species and placed in the correct type of habitat.
You can google the plans online. Just an example. Usually the only difference between species is the size of the hole.
How to Build a Bluebird Nest Box
Step-by-step instructions for building a home that Mountain, Eastern, and Western Bluebirds will enjoy.
Robert S
Well-known member
Thanks for all the comments. I will post here how things go.
Side story…
While reseeding my lawn today I had this thread in the back of my mind, so I happened to look at one of our bird boxes mounted on a tree. I thought, “I need to prune those two limbs away from the front of the box.”
Two hours later after pruning the limbs I see a flash of grey through the entrance hole. I tap on the side to see what species of bird comes out. Nothing. Huh. I open the cleaning side to find a flying squirrel. I chased it away and removed about 1/8-inch of leaves. So the copper portal protector kept out the grey squirrels but not a flying squirrel.
While reseeding my lawn today I had this thread in the back of my mind, so I happened to look at one of our bird boxes mounted on a tree. I thought, “I need to prune those two limbs away from the front of the box.”
Two hours later after pruning the limbs I see a flash of grey through the entrance hole. I tap on the side to see what species of bird comes out. Nothing. Huh. I open the cleaning side to find a flying squirrel. I chased it away and removed about 1/8-inch of leaves. So the copper portal protector kept out the grey squirrels but not a flying squirrel.