2torial #0965:
Learn2 Build a Birdhouse

Follow the nesting instinct

Spring just wouldn't be the same without the sight and sounds of wild songbirds. If you're wondering how to attract them to your home, start by creating a home of their own. With a little research and the right tools and materials, you can build the perfect birdhouse (or nest box, as they're formally known) for your favorite avian friends. With a little luck, you might soon start hearing the new sound of fledgling chicks around the yard.

Birds can be pretty picky about where they'll set up shop, so to build a successful birdhouse, you need to know your potential tenant. Start with a little research on who might be moving in, and when. You can contact your local bird society (such as an Audubon Society chapter), visit your local library or bookstore to read up on what birds nest in your area, or identify species yourself by watching your backyard with binoculars and a bird identification book.

This 2torial details the birdhouse specifications for the more common North American cavity-nesting songbirds, most of which start building their nests between March and May. Ideally, you'll want to have the box ready and mounted before they migrate into your region. Also, a food and water source, natural or man-made, will make your area a lot more attractive. You can usually find all the needed materials--from lumber to tools to birdfeeders, seed, and baths--at a hardware store.