Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WOODWORKING
OVER 50 PROJECTS!
will guide you along the way.
Why spend your money on a
ready-made birdhouse or feeder that
looks like all the rest? In one after-
noon, you can build a unique bird
retreat that will soon turn your back-
yard into a birdwatcher’s paradise!
P by the editors of
UPC
POPULAR
WOOD
9 78 1 55 8 70 7 04 7 WORKING
BOOKS
POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS
001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 1
09 08 07 06 057 6 5 4 3
“
“ Poor indeed is the garden in
which birds find no homes.
ABRAM L. URBAN
JIM STACK
Acquisitions Editor
table of contents
introduction ...7
HOUSES
PROJECT 1 AMERICAN KESTREL SANCTUARY. . . 18
FEEDERS
PROJECT 45 A-FRAME FEEDER . . . 112
r e s o u r c e s . . . 126
s u p p l i e r s . . . 127
i n d e x . . . 128
001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 7
introduction
T
hree good reasons exist for attracting birds,
butterflies and bats to your backyard. The
first reason is to do your part to restore
nature’s balance by providing a healthy
habitat to counteract the effect urbaniza-
tion has had on their natural habitats and feeding habits.
The second reason is to educate yourself, your family and
your neighbors on the importance of birds, butterflies
and bats in the chain of life. Observing these animals in your own
backyard furthers your respect and knowledge of them through firsthand experience. The
last reason, a purely selfish one, welcomes the entertainment, delight and relaxation that
comes from watching their amusing routines and antics. This book is intended for wood-
workers of all skill levels who have an interest in this worthwhile pastime. Be sure to read
“Construction Notes” before getting to work. It contains directions for common wood-
working procedures used in this book.
Many books are available about building birdhouses, so what
makes this one different? The projects are creative and fun, yet each is
simple enough to build in one day. Over 40 birdhouses are included,
each designed for a specific nesting bird found in North America,
South America, Europe or Australia. In addition to birdhouses, you’ll
find delightful butterfly house, bat house, bird feeder and birdbath
projects. Each project includes a technical drawing, cutting list,
step-by-step photos with text, placement details and specific bird
information. A helpful and informative chapter about attracting
birds, butterflies and bats to your backyard contains charts with
specific information such as diet, number of eggs laid per season, house specifications and
box dimensions. If you happen to like a birdhouse design for an Australian bird but you
live in the United States, simply refer to the House Specifications chart and modify the in-
structions. Everything you need is in this book!
We all had a great time designing, building and painting the projects in this book, and
we hope you do, too!
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CONSTRUCTION NOTES
You can make the projects in Hard-to-assemble
this book using basic wood- miter joints are easy
working tools. If you have only to put together using
hand tools, that’s OK. A standard a pocket-hole drilling
crosscut saw will cut any angle jig. Simply drill the
(even a compound angle), a pocket holes and
coping saw will cut curves and screw the joint to-
circles, a hand drill will bore gether. No clamps
holes, and a hammer and some needed.
nails will hold things together.
If you have power hand
tools, so much the better. A
power hand drill and jigsaw will
work very well for cutting and
drilling. A pneumatic brad or
nail gun will nail things together
in no time.
If you have stationary tools, When cutting square
you can do it all quickly. A table or multisided holes
saw will make straight, angle with corners, drill
holes at the corners.
and compound angle cuts. A
Then connect the
band saw will cut curves and
holes with saw cuts.
angles. A drill press ensures
Doing so automatical-
straight holes will be bored. And
ly rounds the corners,
so on.
and you can keep the
If you build some of these
saw moving from one
projects with children (which hole to the next.
we highly recommend), start
with hand tools. As the child be-
comes familiar with the process-
es of cutting, drilling and
nailing, you can introduce the
power hand tools under close
supervision. We don’t recom-
mend children use stationary A pneumatic nailer
power tools. Too much happens (if you have access to
too fast when using these tools one) is easy and
and the hazards are great. quick to use. It be-
Work smart and have fun! came our best friend
when we were build-
ing these projects.
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Top A
Drill a 21/2"-diameter
hole 19" on
center from
bottom. Use 2 nails
as pivots
for the side.
Side/front D (3)
Bottom B
Hammering a single nail into the top of each side of a part creates a hinge. This
makes it easy to open the side, front or bottom to clean a box.
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ATTRACTING
birds, butterflies
and bats
TO YOUR BACKYARD
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory • Do not put more than one bird-
Bird Management. It is available at house in a tree, unless the tree is
http://library.fws.gov/bird_publications/house.html. extremely large or the birdhouses
Also see the House Specifications chart later in this are for different species.
chapter. • If summers are very hot, face the
entrance holes north or east to
BIRDHOUSE CONSTRUCTION BASICS avoid overheating the box.
Materials
Wood is the best building material for a birdhouse. It Cleaning
is durable, insulating and breathable. Three-quarter- Inspect your birdhouse every
inch-thick bald cypress, red cedar, pine and exterior- week during nesting season. Don’t be surprised to House Wren
grade plywood are recommended. The wood may be find squirrels, mice, snakes or insects inside. Evict
rough-cut, finished or slab, but do not treat the in- unwanted tenants. If you need to use an insecticide,
side with stains or preservatives because the fumes use 1 percent rotenone powder or pyrethrin spray;
could harm the birds. both are safe around birds. When the weather turns
You do not need to paint birdhouses made of cy- cold and the birds have moved on, remove the nest-
press or cedar, but pine and plywood houses last ing materials from the house. Once the house is
longer with a coat of water-based exterior latex paint. empty, scrub the inside with a brush and soapy
Dull, light colors reflect heat and are less obvious to water. Rinse thoroughly. When your birds return in
predators. Do not paint the entrance hole or the in- the spring, their home will be clean and ready for a
side of the box. Unless it sits high on a pole, avoid new nest.
putting a metal roof on your birdhouse because it
will attract predators. For common birdhouse di- Protection from Predators
mensions, see the House Specifications chart later in Adding a sheet metal guard to your birdhouse, while
this chapter. unsightly, does offer protection from squirrels, cats,
raccoons and opossums. To snake-proof your bird-
Ventilation house, mount it on a metal pole lathered with petro-
Birdhouses can turn into ovens without air vents. Ei- leum jelly or cayenne pepper. You can keep bees and
ther leave gaps between the roof and sides or drill 1 ⁄ 4" wasps from attaching their nests to the house by
holes below the roof. coating the inside of the roof with soap. It’s also best
to destroy the nests of pest bird species, such as star-
Drainage lings. If you don’t discourage them, they will bully or
Water sitting on the bottom of a birdhouse is a prob- kill other nesting birds.
lem. Regardless of the design, rain will get in through
the entrance hole. To assure proper drainage, cut FOOD FOR BIRDS
away the corners of the box floor or drill 1 ⁄ 4" holes in Few yards are able to supply sufficient food or shelter
the box floor. for a variety of birds all year long. However, you can
improve shelter and food supplies by building or
Entrance Hole purchasing feeders and houses and by setting out
A rough surface, both inside and out, makes it easier certain foods.
for adults to get in and for nestlings to get out. Add Many species of birds will show up if you provide
grooves below the outside hole and add cleats, wire a variety of feed in different styles of feeders. Many
mesh or grooves below the inside hole. styles of bird feeders are available, from window-
mounted feeders to those that hang from branches
Placement and stands. Many birds readily eat off the ground.
• Houses mounted on metal poles are less vulnerable Bird feed comes in a variety of mixes; however, sun-
to predators than those nailed to tree trunks or flower seeds appeal to many birds, as well as small
hung from limbs. mammals. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees
• Use no more than four small birdhouses for any are especially attracted to suet. Citrus fruit, chopped
one species per acre. apples and bananas and raisins are good treats for
• Do not put birdhouses near bird feeders. numerous species including robins, titmice,
nuthatches, woodpeckers and mockingbirds.
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Design
All bat houses should be at least 24" tall, have roost-
ing chambers at least 14" wide and have a landing
area that extends below the entrance at least 3" to 6".
Taller and wider houses are even better. All partitions
and landing areas should be rough, scratched or
grooved.
Ventilation
All houses must include vents approximately 6" from
the bottom. Front vents should follow the width of
the house.
Placement
Place the house on a pole that’s at least 15' high, in a
spot that receives sun most of the day. You can
mount two bat houses back to back (one facing
north, the other facing south). Bat houses should not
be lit by bright lights. The information in this chapter was compiled from www.batcon.org, www.birding.com
www.butterflywebsite.com, www.enature.com and www.nwf.org.
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HOUSE SPECIFICATIONS
inches (millimeters)
floor box entrance entrance placement
dimensions height height diameter height (ft)
BIRD inches (mm) inches (mm) inches (mm) inches (mm) feet (m)
American Kestrel 6x6 152 x 152 14 356 9–12 229–305 3 76 12–20 4–6
American Robin 7x8 178 x 203 8–10 203–254 platform 6–15 2–4.5
1⁄
American Tree Sparrow 10 x 10 254 x 254 15 381 6 152 1 2 38 2–3 .6–.9
1⁄
Ash-Throated Flycatcher 6x6 152 x 152 8–12 203–305 6–10 152–254 1 2 38 5–15 1.5–4.5
House Wren 4x4 102 x 102 6–8 152–203 4–6 102–152 1 25 5–10 1.5–3
Mourning Dove 8x8 203 x 203 8–10 203–254 platform 7–15 2–4.5 10–20 3–6
Northern Cardinal 8x8 203 x 203 8–10 203–254 platform 5–8 1.5–2 5–8 1.5–2
1⁄
Northern Flicker 7x7 178 x 178 16–18 406–457 14–16 356–406 2 2 64 6–20 2–6
Prothonotary Warbler 5x5 127 x 127 6 152 4–5 102–127 2 51 4–8 1–2
1⁄
Purple Martin 6x6 152 x 152 6 152 1–2 25–51 2 4 57 6–20 2–6
Pygmy Nuthatch 4x4 102 x 102 6–8 152–203 4–6 102–152 1 25 5–10 1.5–3
1⁄
Red-Breasted Nuthatch 4x4 102 x 102 8–10 203–254 6–8 152–203 1 4 32 5–15 1.5–4.5
Red-Headed Woodpecker 6x6 152 x 152 12–15 305–381 9–12 229–305 2 51 10–20 3–6
Wood Duck 10 x 18 254 x 457 6–8 152–203 12–16 305–406 4 102 10–20 3–6
1⁄
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker 5x5 127 x 127 12–15 305–381 9–12 229–305 1 2 38 10–20 3–6
15
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VITAL STATISTICS
BROODS PER
INCUBATION
NUMBER OF
LENGTH OF
SIZE (IN)
SEASON
RANGE
BIRD
EGGS
(MM)
DIET
American Kestrel 9–12 229–305 4 or 5 28 days 1 house sparrows, insects, summer, continental United States, Canada and
(Falco sparverius) small birds and rodents Alaska; winter, Great Lakes and New England
American Robin 9–11 229–279 3 to 5 12 days 2 to 3 insects, worms, fruit summer, across the United States to Alaska; winter,
(Turdus migratorius) and berries south to Mexico
American Tree Sparrow 6 152 4 or 5 11 to 14 days 1 berries, seeds and insects summer, Canada to Alaska; winter, across United
(Spizella arborea) States, south to Carolinas and west to California
Ash-Throated Flycatcher 8 203 2 to 7 15 days 1 anthropods and fruit summer, western United States, south to Mexico and
(Myiarchus cinerascens) Central America; winter, southward from California
Barn Swallow 6–7 152–178 3 to 7 13 to 17 days 1 to 3 flying insects summer, much of the northern hemisphere; winter,
(Hirundo rustica) much of the southern hemisphere
Barred Owl 20 508 2 to 4 23 to 32 days 1 small mammals, insects, resident in the continental United States and
(Strix varia) reptiles, fish, bats, and southern Canada
other birds and owls
Black-Capped Chickadee 5 127 6 to 8 11 to 13 days 1 insects, berries and seeds summer, central United States, Canada and Alaska;
(Poecile atricapilla) winter, south to Maryland and Texas
Bobolink 6–8 152–203 4 to 7 10 to 13 days 1 grain summer, Canada and northern United States; winter,
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus) South America
California Towhee 8–10 203–254 3 or 4 11 days 2 to 3 seeds and insects resident in Oregon and California
(Pipilo crissalis)
Eastern Bluebird 7 178 4 or 5 14 days 2 insects, spiders, summer, central to eastern United States north to
(Sialia sialis) fruits, berries and seeds Canada; winter, southern United States west to Texas
Eastern Phoebe 6–7 152–178 2 to 6 16 days 2 flying insects and fruit summer, eastern United States and Canada; winter,
(Sayornis phoebe) southern United States and Mexico
Grey Shrike-Thrush 9 229 3 or 4 16 to 18 days 2 insects and reptiles resident in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea
(Colluricincla harmonica)
House Finch 5–6 127–152 3 to 5 15 days 2 to 4 insects, grass and weed resident from southern Canada to southern Mexico;
(Carpodacus mexicanus) seeds introduced and now widespread in eastern N.A.
House Sparrow 5–6 127–152 4 to 6 10 to 13 days 4 seeds and insects native to Eurasia and North Africa; introduced on all
(Passer domesticus) continents; resident throughout temperate N.A.
House Wren 4–5 102–127 5 to 8 12 to 15 days 2 or 3 insects, spiders and snails summer, continental United States to southern
(Troglodytes aedon) Canada; winter, southern states to Mexico
Japanese White-Eye 4 102 2 to 5 11 days 1 or 2 insects and nectar resident on all Hawaiian Islands
(Zosterops japonicus)
Little Brown Bat 3.5 long 89 N/A N/A 1 young insects (esp. mosquitoes) resident in much of North America
(Myotis lucifugus)
Mourning Dove 12 305 2 14 days 6 seeds summer, Mexico to southeastern Alaska; winter,
(Zenaida macroura) northern United States
Northern Cardinal 8–9 203–229 3 or 4 11 to 13 days 3 to 4 seeds, fruit, buds and resident from southern Texas to southern Canada
(Cardinalis cardinalis) insects
Northern Flicker 12–14 305–356 5 to 12 11 to 14 days 1 insects and larvae; seeds resident in continental United States; summer, north
(Colaptes auratus) and nuts in the winter to Alaska; winter, south to Mexico
Prothonotary Warbler 5–6 127–152 6 12 2 insects summer, southeastern United States north to New
(Protonotaria citrea) York, Michigan and Minnesota; winter, tropics
Purple Martin 7–8 178–203 4 or 5 15 to 18 days 1 all forms of flying insects summer, Canada and east coast to the Rockies;
(Progne subis) winter, tropics
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VITAL STATISTICS
BROODS PER
INCUBATION
NUMBER OF
LENGTH OF
SIZE (IN)
SEASON
RANGE
BIRD
EGGS
(MM)
DIET
Pygmy Nuthatch 4 102 5 to 9 15 to 16 days 1 or 2 insects and seeds resident from Mexico northward to British Columbia
(Sitta pygmaea) and eastward to South Dakota
Red-Breasted Nuthatch 4 102 4 to 7 12 to 16 days unknown invertebrate insects and summer, continental United States, Canada, Alaska;
(Sitta canadensis) seeds winter, Gulf Coast and northern Florida
Red-Headed Woodpecker 10 254 5 12 days 2 flying insects, nuts, acorns, summer, Florida and Gulf Coast to southern Canada;
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus) berries, bird eggs and mice winter, Florida and Gulf Coast
Redwing 8 203 2 to 8 11 to 16 days 2 insects, worms, berries resident in Ireland; winter, England, Scotland, and
(Turdus iliacus) and fruit much of western Europe
Rosella 12 305 4 to 6 18 days unknown seeds, nuts, fruit and resident in Australia and Tasmania
(Platycercus spp.) vegetable matter
Treecreeper 5 127 3 to 9 14 to 15 days 2 insects resident throughout Australia, England and Scotland
(Certhia familiaris)
Tufted Titmouse 6 152 5 or 6 12 to 14 days 1 or 2 insects and seeds resident from the midwest to the eastern United
(Baeolophus bicolor) States south to Florida
Violet-Green Swallow 5–6 127–152 4 or 5 13 to 14 days 1 flying insects summer, from Alaska to Texas east to South Dakota;
(Tachycineta thalassina) winter, Mexico
Wood Duck 17–20 432–508 9 to 12 28 to 37 days 2 seeds, acorns, fruit, resident in continental United States and southern
(Aix sponsa) aquatic and terrestrial Canada
invertebrates
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker 7–9 178–229 5 or 6 12 to 13 days 1 sap, fruit and anthropods summer, Alaska and Canada; winter, southeastern
(Sphyrapicus varius) United States, Mexico and tropics
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AMERICAN KESTRAL
sanctuary
<j i m stack>
Roof parts
D (2)
Side B (2)
3/4" 3/4"
Tower peak L
inches (millimeters)
Upper tower
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
Upper tower
QUANTITY
top K
LENGTH
front/back G (2)
WIDTH
PART
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< 1>
Cut out the parts
according to the cut-
ting list. Nail one of
the sides to the bot-
tom, then nail the
front and back to the
sides and bottom.
Use two nails at the
top of one side as
hinges so you can
open the side for
cleaning. Nail the
roof parts in place.
AMERICAN KESTRAL
Perhaps the most colorful raptor in the world, the
American kestrel is the most common falcon in
North America. This bird is also known as the spar-
< 2>
Assemble the lower
row hawk because of its diet of house sparrows, and upper towers
among other small birds, rodents and insects. The 9" using nails. Using a
to 12" American kestrel is recognized by its band saw, cut the
rust-colored tail and back, slate blue wings and two lower tower so it fits
on the roof. Then
dark mustache marks on its face.
nail the tops in place.
Unlike larger falcons, the American kestrel has
Use the band saw to
adapted to humans, and nests even in the largest
taper the tower peak,
cities. However, they prefer a wide variety of open then sand it smooth.
habitats, including meadows, grasslands, deserts, Finally, nail these as-
parks and agricultural areas. They summer in most of semblies together as
the continental United States, Canada and Alaska and shown in the photo.
winter in the Great Lakes region and New England.
3/4"
< 3>
Nail the tower to the
roof.
Upper tower
side H (2)
Lower tower
side F (2)
)
Side B (2)
Bottom C
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70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 20
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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< 4>
Lay the sides/bottom/top assembly on its face
and attach the back with glue and nails. It’s
not necessary to finish this nesting shelf be-
cause it’s made of cedar.
Top A
8" Back D
Side C (2)
Top A
" 6"
81 /4
20°
13" 8"
1 /2"
7" 3 7 /8"
9 1 /4" Bottom B
21
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22
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (mm) (mm) (mm)
Despite the American tree A 2 top/bottom 3⁄
4 (19) 81⁄ 4 (210) 12 (305)
sparrow’s name, these birds B 2 sides 3⁄
4 (19) 7 (178) 8 (203)
actually forage and nest on C 2 back roof parts 3⁄
4 (19) 6 (152) 9 (229)
the ground, and breed prima- D 3 angled roof parts 3⁄
4 (19) 5 7⁄
8 (149) 6 1⁄
2 (165)
rily above the tree line in the E 1 back 3⁄
4 (19) 63⁄ 4 (172) 101⁄ 8 (257)
far north. However, they do F 4 columns 1⁄
2 (13) 1⁄
2 (13) 7 (178)
prefer artificial nest boxes
during the winter.
Back roof
The American tree sparrow parts C (2)
is a small songbird with a gray
head, a rusty brown crown 3/4" x 63 / 4 "-notch
and eye stripe, two white wing 13 7 / 8 " in top.
bars, a dark spot in the center Angled roof
parts D (3)
of the breast and a rather long
tail. They eat seeds, berries and
insects, and prefer to live in *Note: Columns can be 1 / 2 "-square Top A
91/2"
arctic willow and birch thickets sticks or 1 / 2 "-diameter dowels.
and woodlands. These birds Angled roof
summer in northern Canada parts D (3)
47/8"
9"
and Alaska and winter across Back roof
+ /- parts C (2)
the continental United States. 6" 30°
30°
35/8"
The American tree sparrow
can tolerate subzero tempera-
tures when its seed diet pro- Back E Back E
Top/
7" Side B (2)
vides sufficient calories, thus bottom
A (2)
they can winter where snow
doesn’t entirely cover the
81/4" Column
weeds and grasses. No one F (4) 8"
12"
knows exactly how many
American tree sparrows exist,
but because they have about
247 million acres in which to < 1>
breed in northern Canada and Cut out the side and
Alaska, then approximately 10 back parts and nail
million to 20 million pairs them together as
should be breeding. shown in the
illustration.
23
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 24
< 4>
The waste will fall away from the saw blade with
no problem of kickback from the blade.
< 5>
Make the two 30°-angle cuts on the back. Then cut the radius on the top and bottom
parts and nail them to the side and back assembly. Then glue and nail the columns in
place. Use a clamp to help hold the assembly until the glue sets.
24
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 25
< 8>
This is a quick and safe procedure.
< 9>
Apply glue to the miters on the angled roof assembly and to the front edges of the
back roof assembly. Put the parts together and let the glue set. Then nail the roof
assembly to the base assembly.
25
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 26
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
This project consists of three boxes that have been textured with saw- (mm) (mm) (mm)
1⁄
dust and painted. It takes about two hours to complete. The ladder A 2 front/back 2 (13) 7 (178) 8 (203)
1⁄
B 2 sides 2 (13) 7 (178) 8 (203)
was added for fun — for the birds, the builder and the bird watchers. 1⁄
C 2 top/bottom 2 (13) 8 (203) 9 (229)
The best material for this project is plywood because it’s stable, 1⁄
D 2 front/back 2 (13) 7 (178) 10 (254)
which means the boxes won’t crack with seasonal movement. The E 2 sides 1⁄
2 (13) 7 (178) 6 (152)
1⁄
paint seals the plywood, protecting it from water damage. To finish, F 2 top/bottom 2 (13) 7 (178) 10 (254)
1⁄
G 2 front/back 2 (13) 7 (178) 12 (305)
mix a small handful of sawdust into white paint and apply as a base
1⁄
H 2 sides 2 (13) 5 (127) 7H (178)
coat. This will give it a textured, adobe-like feel. Then use a sponge to 1⁄
J 2 top/bottom 2 (13) 6 (152) 12 (305)
apply red and brown desert-toned paint. K 2 ladder legs 1⁄
4 (6) 1⁄
4 (6) 10 (254)
1⁄ 1⁄
Mount this house on a pole or place it in a tree about 5' to 15' off L 6 ladder rungs 4 (6) 4 (6) 3 (76)
3⁄ 3⁄
the ground. M 14 dowels 8 dia.(10) 4 (19)
26
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 27
< 1>
Drill six 1 ⁄ 4"-diameter
drainage holes in the
bottoms of each
house. Drill the 2"-
diameter entrance
holes in the fronts,
then use nails to as-
semble the boxes.
You can use glue if
you want to, but it’s
not necessary.
< 2>
Round over all the
edges of the boxes.
This will make it eas-
ier for the textured
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER paint to stick to the
Ash-throated flycatchers frequently use nonnatural edges, as well as giv-
structures such as nest boxes, pipes, fence posts — ing it a more adobe-
even clothes on a clothesline — for nesting. These like appearance.
birds are approximately 8" tall with olive-colored
backs and yellowish underparts.
Ash-throated flycatchers eat mainly anthropods
< 3>
and small fruit, but occasionally they prey on small Drill 3⁄ 8"-diameter
holes about 1 ⁄ 4" deep
reptiles and mammals. They prefer to live in a desert
into the sides and
habitat with cactus and mesquite thickets or other
fronts. Then glue the
semiarid areas. Because of this, you will find ash-
dowels into the holes.
throated flycatchers living only in the western United When all the boxes
States during the summer and southward from Cali- are assembled, use
fornia in the winter. poly-urethane glue to
attach the boxes to
Top/bottom each other and to at-
J (2) tach the ladder to the
final assembly of
boxes.
Top/bottom
C (2) Front/back
G (2) Side Top/bottom
< 4>
H (2) The ladder is option-
F (2)
Front/back al, but we thought it
A (2) would be fun to see if
Dowel M (14) the birds will climb
on it! Glue the rungs
Side E (2)
to the legs.
Side B (2)
2"-diameter
entrance hole
Ladder leg 31/2" on center
from bottom of box
K (2) Front/back
Ladder rung D (2)
L (6)
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THICKNESS
QUANTITY
28
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 29
<j i m stack>
BARN SWALLOW
< 1>
Cut out the three roof parts, lay them on a flat surface, then tape and
A familiar inhabitant of barns, the barn swallow is glue the miters.
easily recognized by its long forked tail streamers and
chestnut body. The barn swallow is the most abun-
dant and widely distributed swallow species in the
world. This swallow prefers to nest almost exclusively
in nonnatural structures.
Barn swallows eat flying insects, which they catch
in flight, often low to the ground. They need mud for
nest building, so they prefer to live in agricultural
areas. Barn swallows, originally cave dwellers, have
benefited greatly from humans. Artificial structures
have allowed them to move into new areas and nest
in greater densities than ever before. As a result, barn
swallows are prevalent throughout most of the
world. They spend their summers in the northern
hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.
Roof
< 2>
Using the roof assembly as a template, trace the shape of the roof on
part
C (3) the back. Cut the back to shape and nail it to the bottom. Then nail the
sides to the bottom. Finally, nail the roof to the barn. Paint the outside
Cut the miters of the project. Leave the inside unfinished; the birds prefer natural
at 30°. wood for their nesting site.
60°
53
Roof
Back D part
C (3)
7 3 / 32 " Side B (2)
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BARRED OWL
house
<j i m stack>
Cut a 30°-bevel on
inches (millimeters) Side A (6) all long edges of sides. Roof part B (6)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
ides.
Roof part B (6)
Side A (6)
22 1/2°
< 4>
Cut the six roof parts. Once
again, cut the compound miters
7" x 7" using scrap wood. When the
entrance
hole miters come together correctly,
lay out the parts face up, tape the
13 1 / 4 " miters, flip all the parts over,
apply glue to the miters and fold
it together. Let the glue set, then
12" nail the roof to the house.
8 1 /2"
Bottom C 31
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 32
BAT
house
I used rough-sawn cedar for
this project.The rough sides
are perfect for the inside of the
house, giving the bats a surface
from which to hang and sleep.
You can make a bat house with
one, two or more approximate-
ly 1"-deep sections.This house,
which has only one section,
holds 50 to 75 bats!
Bats like to be very warm so
paint the house black or cover
it with roofing tar paper. Attach
the house 10' to 30' high to the
sunny side of a barn or garage
underneath the edge of the roof.
Be sure to read “The Benefi-
cial Bat” in “Attracting Birds,
Butterflies and Bats to Your
Backyard” for more information
about bats and bat houses.
8"
6"
Top D Spacer E
15°
Back B
Front C
inches (millimeters) 21"
27"
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
Bottom
LENGTH
WIDTH
32
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 33
<m e g a n fitzpatrick>
< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting list.
Nail the spacer to the
back. Remember to
keep the rough-sawn
face of the cedar to
the inside of the
house.
< 2>
Nail the bottom cap
to the inside bottom
LITTLE BROWN BAT of the front part.
The little brown bat is one of Then nail the front to
the most common bats in the the spacer/back as-
United States and Canada. sembly. Nail the sides
They prefer to live in areas to the front/back
along streams and lakes, and assembly.
form nursery colonies in
buildings or artificial bat
houses in the summer. They
hibernate in the winter in
caves and mines, waking once
every two weeks to fly about,
but not to feed. It stores about
2 grams of fat on its body as
winter sustenance.
Little brown bats forage
over water, where their diet
consists of aquatic insects.
< 3>
After nailing the
During peak feeding activity,
sides in place, nail
one bat can catch up to 1,200
the roof to the house.
insects.
Cedar stands up to
the elements and in-
WARNING: Bats are susceptible sects well, so no fin-
to rabies. Rabid bats rarely at- ish is needed.
tack humans or other animals,
but bats found lying on the
ground may be rabid. Never
touch or pick up any bat. Re-
port it immediately to animal-
control officers.
33
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BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE house
<c h r i s t i n e polomsky>
Top D
1"-diameter hole Bevel top edge
7 1 /2" on center Back E
of this side
from bottom of front for ease
of opening.
Use nails
as hinges for
one side.
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
1 / 4" ventilation
LENGTH
WIDTH
holes
PART
Bottom C
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< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting list.
Drill the entrance
hole in the front and
the ventilation holes
in the sides.
< 2>
Nail the sides to the
bottom. Then nail
the back to the sides.
Hammer two nails at
the top of one side to
act as hinges so you
can open that side to
clean the box.
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE
The black-capped chickadee is just that: a
chickadee with a black cap and throat. It
has white cheeks, a gray back, dull white
underparts, and wings edged in white.
< 3>
Nail the front and
Chickadees are small and plump in top to the box.
stature with an average height of 5".
They consume seeds, berries, and in-
sects and like to nest in soft, rotting tree
stumps. They prefer a forest or woodland
habitat and are found throughout the
United States and Canada.
Chickadees are active and inquisitive
birds. They hop about and often cling up-
side down from branches in search of in-
sect eggs and larvae. They spend the
winter making regular rounds of neigh-
borhood feeders and depart to the woods < 4>
during the spring to nest. Use a galvanized dry-
wall screw to secure
the door side to the
house bottom.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
36
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9 1 /2"
1"-diameter
hole 6 3 /4" on Nails at
< 2>
Align the first roof stick at the top
center from top of side of the radius. Nail it in place. Butt
bottom of house.
the second stick against the first
and nail it in place. Continue
3"
down the radius. The final stick
will overhang the side. Attach the
5 /8" 6 1 /4" strips on the second radius the
6 1 /2" same way. Then lay the final strip
3 1 /2 " flat on the peak of the box so it
overlaps the top strips and nail it
Bottom D in place.
1 1 /2"
7 1 / 2"
Roof sticks
< 3>
E (15) This photo shows how one side
opens for easy cleaning. Note the
6 1 /2" bottom has clipped corners for
Front/ drainage.
back B (2)
Side C (2)
Base A
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BUTTERFLY
lighthouse
<j i m stack>
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
7"
5"
7" 35°
Entrance
holes
< 1> < 2>
1 /2" x 3" Cut the parts according to the cutting list. Lay Using nails, attach the perch rail to one side,
out the holes on the front, then drill holes at then attach the sides to the back. Flip the as-
the top and bottom of each hole location and sembly over and attach the front to the sides.
connect them using a jigsaw or coping saw. Then fit the bottom inside the box and attach
30"
Front/ The layout of the holes doesn’t need to be it with nails.
back A (2) exact. Just space them evenly on the front.
< 3>
After cutting the miters on the
roof parts, tape them together,
add glue to the joint and fold it.
Then nail this assembly to the top
5 1 /2 "
of the box.
1" 1"
5" Top C (2)
Bottom E
7"
39
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 40
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Mounting stick C
Brace D
40
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 41
< 3>
Square the ends of
the top fingers. Then
glue and nail the
mounting stick to
the ends of the top
fingers. Cut 45°
miters on the ends of
the brace and glue
and nail it in place.
Finish the platform
with a coat or two of
linseed oil.
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EASTERN BLUEBIRD
houses
<a l parrish>
Back D
Roof part E
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
QUANTITY
LENGTH
LENGTH
WIDTH
WIDTH
PART
PART
42
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 43
< 1>
Cut the parts according to the
cutting list. Nail the sides to the
bottom. Then nail the back to the
sides and bottom.
< 2>
Nail the roof to the house.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD
The Eastern bluebird is a favorite of
many people and is eagerly awaited
each spring. Male bluebirds have
bright blue wings and tails, rust-
colored throats and white bellies. Fe-
males are duller in color and not as
extensively blue. Bluebirds are chunky
in stature with an average height of 7".
The Eastern bluebird diet consists
mainly of insects and fruit. They pre-
fer to nest in tree cavities and bird- < 3>
houses in either open woodlands or Cut the grooves on the inside of
farmlands with scattered trees. In the the front that will help the little
summer, they are found in the central ones get out and drill the en-
trance hole. Attach the front to
and eastern United States and Canada.
the box with two screws at the
Bluebirds winter in the southern Unit-
bottom so you can easily monitor
ed States west to Texas. and clean the box.
If ever a bird species profited from
the construction of a birdhouse, it’s
the bluebird. In the past 25 years,
Eastern bluebirds have become un-
common in the eastern United States
due to competition for nest sites with
European starlings and house spar-
rows. The erection of birdhouses in
< 4>
A light coat of paint applied to
recent years has helped increase the
the rough surface of the cedar
Eastern bluebird population. creates an interesting texure.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
44
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 45
< 3>
Glue and nail the top
assembly in place.
Top C (2)
"
/4
"
/2
Side B (2)
3
10
81
"
Front/back
Bottom D A (2) 41/2"
41/2"
45
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 46
Side/back
stick C (8)
Side/back/front
stick C (8)
Bottom end
stick B (2) Bottom stick A (8)
46
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< 3>
Nail two stumps to
the header sticks on
the front and back of
the cabin. Lay a ridge
inches (millimeters) stick on the top of
each stump. Nail the
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
47
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 48
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
48
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 49
EASTERN PHOEBE
In 1804, the Eastern phoebe became
the first bird banded in North Amer-
ica. John James Audubon attached a
silver thread to an Eastern phoebe’s
leg to track its return.
The Eastern phoebe is a small
songbird (6" to 7") with a dark gray-
brown back and head and no distin-
< 1> < 2>
Cut the parts according to the cutting list. It After taping the roof parts together, turn it
guishing marks on its eyes or wings. may take you a couple of trys to get the an- over and apply glue to the miter joints.
The Eastern phoebe is recognized by gles to work so you can tape and fold the
its habit of constantly wagging its tail roof assembly together.
and by its insistent “phee-bee” call.
To catch flying insects, phoebes fly
from a perch near the ground or
hover. Occasionally their diet consists
of small fruits.
Eastern phoebes prefer to live in
woodland habitats near water. They
like to be around humans, and often
nest near buildings and bridges. As
its name suggests, the Eastern phoebe
lives in the eastern United States and
Canada during the summer and win-
ters in the southeastern United States
< 3> < 4>
Fold the roof assembly and apply a final Cut the angles on the tops of the walls using
and Mexico. piece of tape to the last miter joint. Let the the table saw. Make a jig as shown to protect
glue set. your hands when making this cut.
49
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Fingers A (15)
Dowel E
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
50
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 51
<j i m stack>
< 3>
Using your eyes as
your guide, fold the
fingers of the plat-
form into an angle.
Cut the mounting
bracket to fit and at-
tach it to the plat-
form using screws.
Finish with a coat or
two of linseed oil.
51
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Back
tower J Center Balcony K (2)
tower G
52
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 53
< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting list.
Use a band saw or
jigsaw to cut the
notches in the tops of
the towers. Cut the
balcony notches the
same way.
< 2>
To give the effect of
HOUSE FINCH uneven stones used
The house finch was originally a bird of the south- to make the castles
walls, cut some irreg-
western United States and Mexico. In 1940, a small
ular curves on the
number were turned loose on Long Island, New
edges of the towers
York, and by 1990, they had spread across the entire and the front panel.
United States and southern Canada.
Adult males have bright red crowns, breasts and
rumps. Interestingly, males get their red color from
the pigment in the food they eat. Females are brown
and striped. Females prefer to mate with the reddest
< 3>
Nail the main castle
male they can find. house together. Then
House finches eat insects, buds, seeds and fruit and nail the front balcony
frequently visit feeders. In the eastern United States, in place. Finally, nail
they prefer to live in urban and suburban areas. In on the roof parts.
the West, they also prefer to live around people but
will settle in deserts, orchards and coniferous forests
as well.
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
53
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54
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 55
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
HOUSE SPARROW
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)
The entire North American 1⁄ 1⁄
A 2 ends 2 (13) 6 2 (165) 10 (254)
population of the house spar- 1⁄
B 2 dividers 2 (13) 61⁄ 2 (165) 91⁄ 2 (241)
row is descended from a few 1⁄
C 1 back 2 (13) 101⁄ 4 (260) 16 (406)
birds released in New York 1⁄
D 1 front 2 (13) 73⁄ 4 (197) 16 (406)
City’s Central Park in 1850. By 1⁄ 3⁄ 1⁄
E 1 top 2 (13) 8 4 (222) 17 2 (445)
1900, it had spread to the 3⁄
F 2 hangers 4 (19) 11⁄ 4 (32) 12 (305)
Rocky Mountains. Male house 1⁄
G 1 bottom 2 (13) 61⁄ 2 (165) 15 (381)
sparrows have black throats,
white cheeks and chestnut- Back C
colored necks and backs with
black streaking. Females are
dull brown with dull white un-
derparts and pale eyebrows.
These birds consume seeds
and insects. House sparrows
live up to their name, prefer- Divider B (2)
Hanger F (2)
ring to live in residential and Top E
urban areas. In fact, the
species has been introduced 17 1/2"
"
and thrives on every continent 83 /4
except Antarctica. 2 1/2"
201/2°
1 /2"
10 1/4"
7 3/4"
Front D End A (2)
Front D Back C
16" 6 1/2"
1/2" 1/2"
Bottom G Three 1 1/8"-diameter holes
are 6 1/8" on center from the
bottom of the house.
< 1>
Cut the parts according to the cutting list.
Drill the holes in the ends and the front. Then
glue and nail the center dividers and the ends
to the bottom. This is best done by laying all
the parts on their backs on a flat surface.
Then attach the front, back and roof. Screw
the two hangers to the back of the house.
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:03 AM Page 56
Back log 4°
C (6) Porch roof
post H (4)
Back log
D (6)
Cabin bottom K Porch Porch base
bottom L Porch base end log P (2)
end log Q (2)
56
70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:03 AM Page 57
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)
1⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
A 12 end logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 7 4 (184)
1⁄ 1⁄
B 12 end logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 61⁄ 4 (159)
1⁄ 1⁄
C 6 back logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 171⁄ 2 (445)
1⁄ 1⁄
D 6 back logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 161⁄ 2 (419)
1⁄ 1⁄
E 12 front logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 71⁄ 4 (184)
1⁄ 1⁄
F 12 front logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 63⁄ 4 (172)
1⁄
G 2 cabin roof tops 2 (13) 43⁄ 4 (121) 19 (483)
1⁄ 1⁄
H 4 porch roof posts 2 (13) 2 (13) 61⁄ 8 (156)
1⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
K 1 cabin bottom 2 (13) 6 4 (159) 16 2 (419)
1⁄
L 1 porch bottom 2 (13) 51⁄ 2 (140) 161⁄ 2 (419)
1⁄ 1⁄
M 1 porch base log 2 (13) 2 (13) 171⁄ 2 (445)
1⁄ 1⁄
N 1 porch base log 2 (13) 2 (13) 161⁄ 2 (419)
1⁄ 1⁄
P 2 porch base end logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 51⁄ 2 (140)
1⁄ 1⁄
Q 2 porch base end logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 6 (152)
1⁄ 1⁄
R 35 porch deck logs 2 (13) 2 (13) 6 (152)
This log cabin has a lot of parts but it doesn’t take as
S 1 chimney 1 (25) 4 (102) 12 (305)
long as you might think to cut them. In an hour you T 2 gable assemblies 1⁄
2 (13) 2 1⁄
8 (54) 7 1⁄
4 (184)
1⁄
can be ready to assemble the cabin. I used a high- U 2 porch roof ends 2 (13) 13⁄ 4 (45) 51⁄ 2 (140)
1⁄
speed steel table saw blade with slightly bent (on V 1 door 2 (13) 3 (76) 6 (152)
1⁄ 1⁄
W 4 window-frame rails 4 (6) 2 (13) 3 (76)
purpose) teeth to create the log’s rough texture. The 1⁄ 1⁄
X 4 window-frame stiles 4 (6) 2 (13) 2 (51)
technique adds a lot to the look and feel of this proj- 3⁄
Y 1 divider 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 61⁄ 4 (159)
ect. The cabin is divided into two sections for multiple Z 2 porch cleats 1⁄
2 (13) 1⁄
2 (13) 6 (152)
bird families, with entrances on the side and front. AA 1 pkg framing shims for shingles
< 1>
Lay out the shape of the chimney and cut it out. Use a handsaw to cut
kerfs to simulate the joints where the rocks of the chimney come together.
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 58
< 4>
Locate the entrance openings
four logs up from the bottom of
the cabin. Cut one hole in the
side and one in the front of the
cabin. Then nail the window-
frame stiles and rails in place.
58
70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 59
< 5>
To make the door, glue six
1
⁄ 2" × 1 ⁄ 2" × 6" logs together and
nail the two 1 ⁄ 4" × 1 ⁄ 2" × 21 ⁄ 2" bat-
tons in place. Attach it to the
front edge of the divider. Using
the porch base logs and the
porch base end logs, build up
two layers of porch foundation
logs, then attach the porch deck
logs. If you’re adding a porch
roof, attach the porch cleats.
< 6>
I used a packet of cedar shims to make the roof shingles.
< 7>
This was the easiest roofing job I’ve ever done! Glue or tack
the shingles in place. You also can build a porch roof if you
like. See the illustration for details.
59
70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 60
Dormer roof
part J (2)
30° 26°
61/2°
House side
A (2)
91/2" 31/4"
71/2° miter angle Dormer side G (2) Porch back F
15° Front Porch 30°
Dormer roof K
front H roof L Back roof M
5° House
back B
60
70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 61
< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting
list. Cut the openings
for the porch sides
and the profile for
the front of the
porch. Nail the porch
parts together.
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 62
< 3>
Nail the house together, then nail the roof in
place. Cut the porch fronts, sills, steps and
railings to a size that’s proportional to the rest
of the house. (I’m not giving you specifics be-
cause I want to encourage you to come up
with your own imaginative design.) Glue
them in place. The house is beginning to look
like a bungalow.
< 4>
Cut the column wraparounds, dormer and
roof braces from wooden matchsticks or scrap
wood. Again, locate these parts wherever you
think they look good. Cut a 71 ⁄ 2° bevel on one
long edge of the dormer roof parts. It may take
a couple of test cuts to get the dormer roof to
match the roof line of the house. When it’s
correct, glue and fold the roof together. After
the glue sets, cut the sides and front of the
dormer to fit the roof, and nail them in place.
< 5>
Cutting and fitting the column wraparounds
and the roof brackets is easily done with a
handsaw. I cut the compound angles by eye
and they worked just fine. You’ll be surprised
at how accurately you can cut these parts the
first time.
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 63
< 6>
Glue the roof brackets and porch
column wraparounds in place.
< 7>
Nail the dormer in place. You
can fill the nail holes with wood
putty or paint the house as is.
I’ve found that brushing paint
into the nail holes fills them
nicely. Feel free to paint windows
on the house to add more detail.
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Full-scale section
of top strip
3/4"
3/4"
7 1 /2°
End A (2)
Top strip D (15)
23 / 4 "
radius on
ends.
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 65
< 1>
Cut out the parts according to
the cutting list. When cutting the
entrance hole, drill the round part
of the hole first. Draw the squared
bottom of the hole and cut it
using a jigsaw. I made an arched
hole because it matched the
mailbox shape better than a
round hole.
< 2>
Nail the ends to the bottom. Nail
one side to the bottom and ends.
Attach the other side with screws
so you can remove it when it’s
time to clean the box.
< 3>
Attach the top strips with nails.
Start at the top of each side and
work your way up. Fit the final
strip, if necessary.
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
65
70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 66
HOUSE WREN
abode
THICKNESS
5
QUANTITY
66
70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 67
<w e n d y dunning>
< 4>
Using 6d galvanized finishing
nails or a nail gun, assemble the
box. Attach one of the sides with
two nails at the top for a hinge.
This is the side you’ll open to
61/2" clean the box.
Bottom C
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 68
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
71/2"
1 1 / 2 "-diameter hole is located
4 1 / 2 " on center from
the bottom of the front panel.
The stiles and rails create a
1"-square hole.
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 69
< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting list.
Drill the 11 ⁄ 2" en-
trance hole in the
front. Then nail the
corner posts to the
front and back pan-
els. Finally, nail these
assemblies to the side
panels. Remember to
put two nails at the
top of one side for
cleaning purposes.
The two nails will act
as pivots, and the
Both the interior and exterior of side will swing up
like a garage door.
a Haiku house is designed to en-
courage the Japanese practice of
living in harmony with nature. It < 2>
Nail the top and bot-
is a graceful and simple style that
tom in place using a
I think works perfectly for a bird- square to align the
house design. final box assembly.
It’s possible to build this box
in an hour, so you might as well
make two or three and enjoy a
few hours of woodworking. Hang
this box from a tree branch or
mount it on a post 5' to 10' off
the ground.
< 3>
Nail stiles and rails in
place around the en-
trance opening.
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 70
inches (millimeters)
Top A
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
Side C
Bottom E is a
right-angle 1"-diameter hole
triangle. Each is located 21/2" on
side edge is 67/8". center from bottom of house.
70
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< 1>
Cut out the parts ac-
cording to the cut-
ting list. To make the
sides and back, cut
the 45° bevels on the
back edges of the
sides and the ends of
the back first. Then
make the compound
cuts on the tops of
the sides. Finally,
make the 13° bevel
on the top edge of
the back. Using nails,
attach the sides to the
This wren house requires only a bottom, then install
small amount of material. It has the back. Drill the
entrance hole.
a nontraditional shape, which
makes it interesting and attrac-
tive (to birds and humans alike).
The wrens aren’t picky about de-
< 2>
Drill 1 ⁄ 4"-diameter
sign; they just need a place to drainage holes in the
raise a family. bottom.
< 3>
If necessary, use a
block plane on the
top edges of the sides
and back so they
align with each other.
Then attach the top
with nails.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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< 4>
This is what the house looks like when it’s
folded and taped and the last side has been
installed.
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Tower base E
Tower body F
Set miter saw to a 44° miter
Top D (4) and a 15° bevel to cut the
compound miters for the top parts. inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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< 1>
Cut out the tops. To make the
tower, rough-cut the angles on
the sides with a band saw, then
smooth them with a hand plane
or power sander. Use a power
sander to shape the peak. Then
tape, glue and fold the tops to-
gether while centering the tower
between the tops.
< 2>
Curve the front edges of the sides
using a power sander or band saw.
Then nail the platform together.
JAPANESE WHITE-EYE
Despite its name, the Japanese
white-eye is the most com-
mon bird on the Hawaiian
Islands. In 1929, Hawaii’s Ter-
ritorial Board of Agriculture
and Forestry introduced these
birds from Japan to the island
< 3>
Shape the top of the back to fit
of Oahu and later, in 1937, to the inside of the top assembly.
the island of Hawaii. They are
tamable, sociable birds who
sing a beautiful song, making
them a favorite cage bird.
Japanese white-eyes are 4"
songbirds with yellow fore-
heads, throats, chins, bellies
and tails, white eye rings and
olive-green backs. They are ex-
tremely energetic and acrobat-
ic birds, constantly moving
and hanging upside down and
in every way necessary to
< 4>
Attach the top assembly with gal-
search for food. Their diet vanized screws. Paint the platform
consists of insects and nectar with your choice of colors.
— as a matter of fact, the
Japanese white-eye is a useful
bird because it consumes large
numbers of noxious insects
and their larvae.
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Side B
Roof part (2)
C (2)
Roof part
C (2)
21 1 /2°
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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You can build this basic nesting box in 30 minutes or less. Leave it
unfinished or paint it your choice of colors.
To finish this project, I started with a neutral-colored base coat of
acrylic paint. I let it dry, then I glazed the entire house with a deep
purple glaze. I wiped off the excess glaze and let it dry. Finally, I ap-
plied brown antiquing gel to age the platform.
Mount this platform 5' to 8' off the ground near or in shrubbery.
Black oil sunflower seeds will lure cardinals to your box.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Bottom B
Front D
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NORTHERN
FLICKER box
<m e g cannon>
Side pivots
Top A on nails.
12 1/2"
Drill a 2 1/2"-diameter
hole 19" on center
from bottom.
Back C
Side/
front D (3)
Side/front D (3) 32"
24"
Bottom B
7 1/4"
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< 1>
Cut out the parts according to the
cutting list. Use a compass to lay
out the radius at the top of the
back. Use a scroll saw, coping saw,
jigsaw or band saw to cut the ra-
dius. Smooth the cut with a file or
sandpaper. Use this part as a tem-
plate to mark the radius on the
top. Cut and sand the radius on
NORTHERN FLICKER the top. Cut the hole in the front
Two forms of Northern flicker,
and attach the two sides to the
a common ant-eating wood- front. Then attach the back to the
pecker, are found in different sides. Remember to put just two
regions of North America. The nails through the top of the front
yellow-shafted form is com- and back parts to act as hinges so
mon across eastern and north- you can be open it for cleaning.
ern parts, while the red-
shafted form is found in the
western parts.
< 2>
Although it can climb tree Cut off the corners of the bottom
for drainage. Attach the bottom
trunks and hammer on wood,
to the back, front and the one un-
the Northern flicker prefers to
hinged side.
find food on the ground. Ants
are its favorite, and it digs in
the dirt to find them. There-
fore, flickers prefer to live in
open country with trees, parks
and large gardens.
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
4
(19)
(19) 53⁄ 4
(184)
(146) 71⁄ 4 (184)
< 3>
3⁄
Attach the top to the back with
C 1 back 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 32 (813)
screws. Then nail the top to the
3⁄
D 3 sides/front 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 24 (610) front and unhinged side.
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Top/bottom A (2)
Top/bottom A (2)
Front D
Side B (2)
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< 1>
Cut out the parts ac-
cording to the cut-
ting list. Drill a 2"
hole in the front.
< 2>
Staple the bottom,
sides and top togeth-
er. Make sure the
front will fit between
the sides. If not,
you’ll have to cut the
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER front to fit.
The prothonotary warbler is one of the characteris-
tic birds of the southern swamplands, where its
bright plumage stands out in the gloomy bayous.
These birds are 5" to 6" with yellow-orange heads
and chests, green backs, gray wings and white
bellies. They were named for the prothonotary
clerks in the Roman Catholic Church, whose robes
< 3>
were bright yellow. Drill three drainage
holes into the bottom
The prothonotary warbler’s diet consists mainly of
piece.
insects. This warbler is one of only two warbler species
that breed in holes of trees, so they prefer to live in
wooded areas near water, especially flooded bottom-
land forests and along lakes, rivers and streams with
dead trees. They spend the summer in the south-
eastern United States, north to New York, Michigan
and Minnesota and prefer to winter in the tropics.
inches (millimeters)
< 4>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
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This martin condo is based on a traditional martin house design. The condo has
multiple housing units, complete with a deck for each unit. The top of the house
The joining plate is mounted
is sloped to let the rain run off easily. What makes this design unique is the an- at the tops of the four houses and
gled houses. A bracket secured in the center of the houses allows you to slip the holds them together.
Joining plate L Roof
whole condo over a 4×4 post 6' to 20' high. 5° part E (4)
THICKNESS
(8)
QUANTITY
LENGTH
Drill the
WIDTH
PART
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PURPLE MARTIN
The purple martin is the largest
of the North American swallows
and has nested almost exclusively
in nest boxes for more than 100
years. In fact, Native Americans
hung empty gourds for purple
martins long before Europeans
arrived.
Purple martins are large at 7"
< 1> < 2>
Cut the parts according to the cutting list. Drill the entrance holes in the fronts and
to 8". Males are dark steel blue,
Make four housing units. For each one, nail bevel the edges of the holes on both sides of
and females are duller with pale
two sides to a back, then nail two platforms in the front.
gray underparts. These beneficial place. Cut a 5° bevel on each edge of the join-
birds eat all manner of flying in- ing plate and screw each house to the plate.
sects and prefer to live in areas
populated by humans, especially
those near water or open areas.
In the summer, purple martins
live in Canada and from the east
coast of the United States to the
Rocky Mountains. They spend
their winters in the tropics of
South America.
The purple martin is unsusual
among birds that use birdhouses;
several pairs will nest in a single
box with multiple compartments.
However, martins living in west-
ern Canada and the United States
< 3> < 4>
Nail the fronts in place with two nails at the Nail the platforms in place on the front.
tend not to occupy martin hous-
tops. Doing so permits you to pivot the fronts
es, preferring instead the open outward so the house can be cleaned.
countryside or downtown areas.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting list.
Cut the hole in the
front.
< 3>
Line up the top on
the house as shown
in the illustration
and attach it with
nails. Finally, attach
the perch ledges.
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THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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< 2>
Nail the sides to the
front and back. Be
sure to nail one side
at the top only so
you can open it for
cleaning purposes.
< 3>
Cut the bevels on the
roof parts, tape them
at the miter, add glue
to the miter joint and
nail the roof in place.
All of these houses are
assembled the same
way even though
they are different
sizes. Screw the
houses to the base.
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MARTIN
high-rise
<j i m stack>
Drill a 11/2"-diameter
hole 4" on center
from the bottom Peak K
of each box.
Front/back Bottom/top
E (2) Side B (2)
H (2)
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< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting
list. Drill the
entrance holes in
the fronts. Assemble
each box so that one
side is hinged at the
top with two nails.
Then apply a small
bead of glue on the
top edge of the bot-
tom two boxes and
stack the boxes.
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
4
(19)
(19) 31⁄ 2
(114)
(89) 31⁄ 2
(114)
(89)
< 2>
Glue up a solid-wood
K 1 peak 41⁄ 2 (114) 41⁄ 2 (114) 7 (178)
blank for the top
peak. When the glue
sets, cut the taper
using the band saw.
Then either hand
plane or sand the
sides of the peak
smooth. Finally, glue
it to the top box.
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PYGMY NUTHATCH
pipe house
<a m y hattersley>
Top C (2)
Top B (2)
Top A
inches (millimeters)
31 /2" on
REFERENCE
center
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
typ.
WIDTH
PART
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PYGMY NUTHATCH
The pygmy nuthatch is a small,
social, noisy nuthatch. They pre-
fer to roost in a group, some-
times with more than 100 in a
single cavity.
Pygmy nuthatches are small,
< 1> < 2>
Cut the blanks for the tops and bottoms. Drill a hole where you marked the center of
at 4", with gray-brown heads,
Find the center point of each blank. Mark an the blanks. This is where the pivot pin on the
gray backs and buff white bellies.
arrow to point toward the side of the blank circle-cutting jig will go.
These birds climb down trees where you’ll start cutting the circle on the
headfirst in search of insects. band saw.
They’re also frequent visitors at
neighborhood feeders, preferring
suet or sunflower seeds.
Pygmy nuthatches prefer a
pine forest habitat with many
dead trees in which to nest. In
fact, the pygmy nuthatch is listed
as a species of special concern in
several states because it’s pres-
ence serves as an indicator of
positive forest health in pon-
derosa pine forests. These birds
live year-round from Mexico
northward to British Columbia
< 3> < 4>
Insert the pivot pin on the jig into the hole Drainage is important for any birdhouse.
and eastward to South Dakota. you drilled in the blank. Be sure the side that Drill five 1 ⁄ 4"-diameter holes in both the shelf
the arrow is pointing to is next to the saw and bottom pieces.
blade. Adjust the jig until the blank just
touches the saw blade. Start the saw and turn
the blank until a perfect circle has been cut.
Do this for all the round parts.
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6"
11/4"-diameter
2"
hole 61/4" on
1/
center from
bottom of
front
Front/
back B (2)
4"
1" 1"
8"
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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< 1>
Cut the parts as
shown in the cutting
list. Cut the angles on
the front and back
parts.
< 2>
Cut the angles on the
legs.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
At 4", the red-breasted nuthatch is tiny,
but it can be as aggressive and feisty as
a bird triple its size. Males have blue-
gray upperparts, rust-colored breasts
and underparts, black crowns with a
line through the eye, and white eye-
brows. Females are similar, but they
have gray crowns.
The red-breasted nuthatch climbs
down trees headfirst eating insects and
conifer seeds and is a frequent visitor
< 3>
to neighborhood feeders. It prefers a After cutting the cor-
ners off the bottom,
coniferous forest habitat, especially
assemble the house.
those made of spruce, fir and cedar. It
Predrill holes for the
lives year-round in forests throughout
nails to keep the
the continental United States, Canada wood from splitting.
and Alaska. Join the legs to the
These nuthatches hoard excessive front and back parts
amounts of food and protect their first. Then attach the
stash by applying sticky conifer resin sides to the front and
globules to the entrance of their nest back assembly.
holes. The males put the resin on the
outside of the hole, and the females
put it on the inside. They prefer a box
< 4>
Note that the bottom
with a large cavity and a small en-
and second side pan-
trance hole.
els are used as spac-
ers to help locate the
first side for assem-
bly. Finally, attach the
two top parts. This
house is made of
redwood and needs
no finish because the
redwood contains
resins that protect it
from bugs and rot.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
The red-headed woodpecker is
an unmistakable bird. It has a
striking red head, black tail
and wings, a white patch on
each wing and white under-
parts. It is one of the most ag-
gressive and omnivorous
woodpeckers.
The red-headed wood-
pecker eats flying insects, nuts,
seeds, berries, fruit, bird eggs,
nestlings and mice. It is also
the only woodpecker known to
store food and cover the stored
food with wood or bark. It will
attack other birds to protect
its territory, and it’s known to
remove eggs and destroy the
nests of other species.
These woodpeckers prefer
to live in deciduous wood-
lands, especially beech or oak,
and are attracted to dying
trees, burns and recent clear-
< 1>
Cut the sides according to the cutting list. Cut the front and back parts. Then cut the
ings. The red-headed wood-
beveled angles on the tops of the front and back parts, leaving them longer than final
pecker benefits greatly from dimensions. Hold the top of the front and back parts even with their respective front
devastating tree diseases, such and back edges of the side parts. Mark the length of the parts as they match the sides.
as the chestnut blight and Cut the front and back parts to final lengths. Drill the entrance hole in the front. Nail
Dutch elm disease. They sum- the front to the sides, then nail the back to the sides. Nail the bottom in place. Tape
mer in Florida and the Gulf and glue the roof miter. Finally, nail the roof to the box.
Coast up to southern Canada
and winter in Florida and the
Gulf Coast. Miter
angle 27 1 /2°
11"
1 2"
7"
5/
Top A
35° 20°
2"-diameter
hole 13" on Back E
center from 2 9 / 16 "
Top B bottom
18" of front
16 3 / 16 " 16 5 / 16 "
Front D Side C (2)
Bottom F
7 1 /4" 7 1 /4"
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This house was so easy to build, it was finished in about 20 minutes! The de-
inches (millimeters)
sign is super simple, so make a statement with the paint you choose.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
For me, red was the obvious color choice for this redwing box. For con-
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
trast, I chose a light blue for the treehouse steps. After it was dry, I used (mm) (mm) (mm)
3⁄
brown antiquing gel to give it an aged, rustic look. Simply apply it all over A 1 top 4 (19) 111⁄ 2 (292) 12 (305)
3⁄
with a dry brush or sponge and immediately remove the excess with a dry B 2 ends 4 (19) 91⁄ 2 (241) 16 (406)
3⁄
C 1 back 4 (19) 8 (203) 16 (406)
cloth. For the final touch, I sprayed on a coat of lacquer gloss finish to seal 3⁄
D 1 front 4 (19) 8 (203) 1115⁄ 16 (303)
the acrylic paint for the outdoors. E 1 bottom 3⁄
4 (19) 8 (203) 8 (203)
3⁄
Mount the house on the side of a tree near bushes or shrubbery 4' to 8' F 8 dowels 8 dia. (10) 3 (76)
off the ground.
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REDWING
The redwing, a resident of Ireland who also winters in
< 1>
Cut the ends and
England, Scotland and much of western Europe, is an bottom piece ac-
8" thrush with red flanks, brown upperparts and a cording to the cut-
prominent yellow stripe above each eye. ting list. I cut the
Redwings feed on insects, worms and berries. Soft corners off the bot-
fruit, fallen apples and plants bearing berries will at- tom piece as shown
tract redwings to your garden. They prefer to live in to allow for drain-
open countrysides and rural settings, making their age. Nail the ends to
nests in trees, bushes or tree stumps. the bottom.
< 2>
Fledglings will need
help climbing out of
25° the treehouse, so I
stapled dowels on
Drill a 2"-diameter hole the inside front of
111/2" on center from bottom of box the box. Then drill
and 3" on center the entrance hole.
111/2" from the back edge.
Back C
Bottom E
Front D
End B (2)
< 4>
91/2" To add to the tree-
91/2"
Dowel F (8) house effect, I sta-
pled dowels on the
outside as well.
Attach four dowels to the
inside of this end.
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Top E
Drop
front F
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
71/4"
(mm) (mm) (mm)
3⁄ Drill a 3"-diameter
A 2 sides 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 173⁄ 4 (451) entrance hole 12"
3⁄ 1⁄ 3⁄ on center from
B 1 front 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 15 4 (400)
3⁄ 1⁄ 3⁄ the bottom of the box.
C 1 back 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 17 4 (451)
3⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 53⁄ 4 (146) 71⁄ 4 (184)
3⁄
E 1 top 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 13 (330)
3⁄
17 3 / 4 "
F 1 drop front 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 10 (254)
3⁄
G 2 drop front sides 4 (19) 33⁄ 4 (95) 101⁄ 4 (260) Dowel
H 10 dowel steps 3⁄
8 dia. (10) 2 (51) step H (10)
3⁄
J 1 mounting strip 4 (19) 2 (51) 20 (508)
K 2 galvanized hinges 11⁄ 2 (38) 2 (51)
53/4"
Bottom D
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< 1>
Cut out the parts ac-
cording to the cut-
ting list. A fly circle
cutter mounted in a
drill press works well
for cutting large di-
ameter holes. You
could also drill a
starter hole and cut
the larger hole with a
jigsaw or coping saw.
ROSELLA
Rosellas are most commonly referred to as
< 2>
Glue and nail the
parrots or parakeets. Rosella varieties include dowel steps to the in-
crimson, green, yellow, blue, Eastern, West- side and outside of
ern, Northern, Adelaide and pale-headed. All the box front. Nail
of these colorful, sociable birds are residents the front and back to
of Australia and Tasmania. Rosellas are usu- the sides. After cut-
ally found in pairs or small groups. ting the corners off
the bottom, nail it in
The rosella diet consists of seeds, nuts,
place. Nail the drop
fruit and vegetable matter. They prefer
front sides to the top,
woods near a waterway or a rain forest habi- then nail the drop
tat. They are usually found in areas where front to the drop
the annual rainfall is over 16", at elevations front side and top.
up to 1,250 meters. Rosellas spend most of Screw the mounting
their time in treetops and will shelter them- strips to the back of
selves from the heat in the middle of the day. the box.
Their nests are usually in the hollows of trees
or among rocks.
< 3>
Cut a rabbet on the bottom back Cut a 1 ⁄ 8" × 3 ⁄ 4" rabbet
edge of the top the depth
of the hinge thickness. in the bottom and
back of the top and
attach the hinges to
"
1 33 / 4 the top. The rabbet
75° Back C allows the top to sit
Drop tightly on the top of
front Mounting the box.
10 1 / 4 " side Side A (2) strip J
G (2)
11 1 / 2 "
< 4>
Attach the top to the
top edge of the back.
41/2"
83/4"
Front B
81/2"
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Top C
5"
Front
door D
14"
33/8"
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70656 I pgs 096 to 111 7/28/04 2:14 AM Page 103
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
TREECREEPER
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)
Both the male and female 3⁄ 3⁄ 5⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 4 8 (111) 10 8 (270)
treecreepers have speckled 3⁄
B 1 back 4 (19) 5 (127) 14 (356)
brown backs and white under- 3⁄
C 1 top 4 (19) 5 (127) 6 (152)
parts. You’ll also recognize 3⁄
D 1 front door 4 (19) 33⁄ 8 (86) 9 (229)
treecreepers by their unique 1⁄ 3⁄
E 1 handle 2 dia. (13) 4 (19)
foraging behavior: They climb 3⁄ 3⁄
F 1 stop block 4 (19) 4 (19) 11⁄ 2 (38)
up trees mouselike, starting at
the bottom and working up-
wards in a spiral around the < 1>
trunk. They are unable to Cut out the side and
climb down trees, so when back parts according
they finish spiraling their way to the cutting list and
nail them together as
up a tree trunk, they simply
shown in the illustra-
fly to the next tree and start at
tion.
the bottom all over again.
Treecreepers eat mainly in-
sects, so they prefer to live in
coniferous or deciduous
woods, or parks and gardens
with mature trees. Treecreepers
are found year-round in Aus-
tralia, England and Scotland.
< 2>
Using nails, attach
the sides to the back.
Then attach the top
to the back and sides.
Using two nails at the
bottom of the front
door, attach it be-
tween the sides. In-
Entrance hole is stall the front door
about 1" in height
and width. stop on the under-
side of the top and
Stop block F attach the handle to
the door. The door
221/2° might need a small
screw inserted into
the stop block to stay
Back B
closed.
Side A (2)
Handle E
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Ridge pole D
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
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< 1>
Cut the front and
back according to the
cutting list and drill a
2" hole in the front.
Drill drainage holes
in the bottom piece.
Nail the bottom to
the front and back.
< 2>
Nailing the sides is a
bit tricky. Get some-
one to help you hold
the pieces in place if
you can. Align the
two pieces so they are
flush with the back.
Place two staples on
TUFTED TITMOUSE each side piece to
The tufted titmouse is a social bird and hold it in place.
often joins with small mixed flocks of
chickadees, nuthatches, creepers and
small woodpeckers. It is quick to scold
predators and is attracted to the calls of
other species.
< 3>
Now that you have
The tufted titmouse is around 6" tall the sides placed
with a conspicuous, short gray tuft on its where you want
head, rust-colored flanks and a white them, put the chalet
belly and chest. Its diet consists of insects on its side for easier
and seeds — titmice frequently visit feed- nailing.
ers. They prefer to live in deciduous
forests, swamps, orchards, parks and sub-
urban areas. The tufted Titmouse is a res-
ident from the midwest to the eastern
United States, south to Florida.
< 4>
Apply the 8" ridge
pole with polyure-
thane glue.
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This version of the log cabin uses neat, symmetrical dowels for logs.
inches (millimeters)
By gluing and stacking the logs inside a form, the cabin comes out
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
perfectly square and straight. Don’t try to use nails or screws to as-
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
semble this cabin. It’s too frustrating to keep all the logs lined up (mm) (mm) (mm)
3⁄
without some shifting. Instead, use outdoor glue so the cabin will A 8 side logs 4 dia. (19) 6 (152)
3⁄
stay together under the elements. Sparrows, martins and wrens will B 8 side logs 4 dia. (19) 41⁄ 2 (114)
3⁄
C 6 front/back logs 4 dia. (19) 8 (203)
also find this cabin hospitable. 3⁄
D 6 front/back logs 4 dia. (19) 91⁄ 2 (241)
Mount the house 5' to 15' high under an eave on a house or barn. E 4 front logs 3⁄
4 dia. (19) 33⁄ 4 (95)
3⁄
F 4 front logs 4 dia. (19) 3 (76)
1⁄ 1⁄
G 2 ends 2 (13) 2 8 (54) 6 (152)
1⁄
H 2 roof parts 2 (13) 5 (127) 101⁄ 2 (267)
3⁄
J 1 bottom 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 8 (203)
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<j i m stack>
< 1>
Cut the parts accord-
ing to the cutting list.
Clip the corners off
the bottom. Then
glue two front/back
logs and two side
logs to the edges of
the bottom. Build a
frame around the
bottom assembly,
then glue the logs on
top of each other.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW The frame helps you
The violet-green swallow is a keep all the walls
beautiful swallow around 5" or 6" straight and in line.
tall with dark metallic green up-
perparts, an iridescent violet
rump and forked tail and white
< 2>
After the glue has set,
underparts and cheek.
glue the two ends in
Violet-green swallows eat only
place.
flying insects and prefer to feed
in groups so they can readily de-
tect and defend themselves from
hawks — a major predatory
threat. These birds nest in tree
cavities, so they prefer to live in
forests, mountains and suburban
< 3>
Tape and glue the
areas. The violet-green swallow is miter at the peak of
found only in the American west, the roof. After the
spending the summer from glue sets, glue the
Alaska to Texas east to South roof in place.
Dakota and wintering in Mexico.
Front/back
log D (6)
35°
Front Side log B (8)
log F (4)
Side log A (8)
Front
log E (4)
2" x 3" Front/back
Entrance log C (6) End G (2)
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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WOOD DUCK
A colorful duck native to
< 1>
wooded swamps, rivers and Cut out the parts according to the
cutting list. Drill the hole and attach
streams, the wood duck is one
the steps to the inside of the front.
of the few North American
ducks that nests in trees. Nat-
ural cavities for nesting are
scarce, so wood ducks readily
use artificial nest boxes. They
nest in trees near water —
sometimes directly over
water — or up to 1.2 miles
away. They feed on seeds,
acorns, fruits and aquatic and
terrestrial invertebrates.
The male wood duck is
patterned in iridescent greens,
purples and blues with a dis-
tinctive white chin patch and
face stripes. Many people con-
sider it to be the most beautiful
of all waterfowl. The females
are grayish with a broad white
ring around the eyes. Wood
ducks are medium-size water-
fowl measuring 17" to 20".
A resident of the continen- < 2> < 3>
tal United States, it was nearly Drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Use two nails at the top of one side
hunted to extinction during to act as hinges so you can open the
box for cleaning. Nail the opposite
the late 19th and early 20th
side, bottom and roof parts in place.
centuries. In 1918, the hunting
Paint to finish.
season was closed, and for the Roof part A (2)
next two decades numbers
rose steadily. Well over a mil-
lion wood ducks now live in
North America.
20°
4"-diameter
entrance hole Front/back B (2)
11 1 /2" on center
from bottom
of box Side C (2)
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
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<j i m stack>
Roof
part D (2)
Entrance hole
is 2"-wide by
11/2"-high. 45° Scroll
trim G (2)
Back C
Front
gable F Front B Side A (2)
Bottom E
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
112
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< 1>
Cut the parts as shown according to the cutting list. Nail
the gussets to the sides. Then nail the ends to the sides.
Finally, nail the bottom to this assembly.
25°
< 2>
Glue two 3 ⁄ 4"-thick pieces of wood
Ridge pole D
together to make the ridge pole or
cut it from a 2×4. Cut the bevels
on the ridge pole and glue and
nail it in place. Finish the feeder
Side A (2)
with boiled linseed oil.
Gusset C (2)
25°
Bottom B
End E (2)
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Hat top A
Hat bill B
Head C
Neck D
Upper
arm
F (2)
inches (millimeters)
Lower
REFERENCE
arm G (2)
THICKNESS
Torso E
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Upper
(mm) (mm) (mm) leg H (2)
A 1 hat top 11⁄ 2 (38) 21⁄ 2 (64) 21⁄ 2 (64)
1⁄ 1⁄
B 1 hat bill 2 (13) 3 2 (89) 6 (152)
C 1 head 21⁄ 2 (64) 31⁄ 4 (83) 31⁄ 2 (89)
D 1 neck 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38) 21⁄ 2 (64)
E 1 torso 11⁄ 2 (38) 31⁄ 4 (83) 101⁄ 4 (260)
Lower
F 2 upper arms 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38) 91⁄ 2 (241) leg J (2)
G 2 lower arms 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38) 10 (254)
1⁄
H 2 upper legs 1 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38) 10 (254)
J 2 lower legs 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38) 11 (279) Feet K (2)
1⁄ 1⁄
K 2 feet 1 2 (38) 1 2 (38) 4 (102)
L 6 bowl parts 11⁄ 2 (38) 3 (76) 18 (457)
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< 1>
Cut the parts to length according to the cut-
ting list and lay them out to create the pose
you would like your guy to hold. The arm
and leg parts are cut at angles that are up to
you. To assemble the guy, use a pocket-hole
drilling jig and drill the holes. Then apply
polyurethane glue on the joints and install
the screws.
< 4> <5>
Tilt the band saw table to make the next The final cuts on the outer parts will be shallow.
cuts. Doing so will give the dish its inside First, glue the six parts edge to edge using ure-
bowl shape. After making the cuts on the thane glue. After the glue sets, sand the depres-
parts next to the center parts, trace the ra- sion in the dish until it’s joints are smooth.
dius to the outer parts and use the saw to cut Apply several coats of boiled linseed oil to the
them at the same angle. dish. Paint the guy with the colors of your
choice. Anchor the guy to the ground with
bend wire looped over his feet and pushed into
the soil.
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inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Bottom C
Bottom B
60° typ.
116
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< 1>
Cut out the parts ac-
cording to the cut-
ting list. Lay out the
location of the cut-
outs in the sides.
Drill a 1"-diameter
hole at each corner of
the cutout.
< 2>
Connect the holes
using a jigsaw, scroll
saw or coping saw.
BOBOLINK
The bobolink breeding male is largely
black with a white rump and back and a
dull yellow nape. Females and winter
males are a rich buff yellow with black
streaking on their backs and crowns.
Bobolinks prefer to live in prairies and
meadows. However, during migration
they prefer marshlands.
The bobolink diet consists only of
grain. They have also earned the name
ricebird because of their habit of return-
ing each fall to southern rice fields. They
spend their summers in Canada and the
northern United States and winter in
southern South America.
< 3>
Attach the sides to the bottom and back parts using galvanized screws. Then attach
the top with screws. Finish the inside of the bottom parts with mineral oil (it’s non-
toxic) and paint the outside of the feeder to protect the plywood from the elements.
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THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
119
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Top A
Pole D
inches (millimeters)
Lip ring C
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
120
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121
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< 2>
Cut the sides for the
bottom piece.
LENGTH
using a crosscut
WIDTH
PART
Lid F
Butt hinge H (2) < 4>
Use a jigsaw or band
saw to cut the radius
on the hinge bracket.
Hinge bracket G Sand the inside of the
radius to match the
angle on the pipe. At-
PVC pipe E tach the hinge brack-
et with polyurethane
glue and let it dry
overnight. Cut out
the lid and attach it
to the bracket with
two 1" butt hinges.
Install a hook-and-
Back side D Long side B (2)
eye catch to hold the
lid shut.
Base A
Front side C
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Top A
Side rail D (2)
inches (millimeters)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Leg C (4)
Bottom B
124
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125
126-128 7/28/04 1:53 AM Page 126
RESOURCES
BIRDS
AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY
P.O. Box 6599 159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80934 Ithaca, New York 14850
719-578-9703 800-843-2473
800-850-2473 www.birds.cornell.edu
www.americanbirding.org
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
AUSTRALIAN BIRD STUDY ASSOCIATION, INC. 700 Broadway
P.O. Box A313 New York, New York 10003 BUTTERFLIES
Sydney South 212-979-3000 BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION (UK)
New South Wales 1235 www.audubon.org Manor Yard
Australia East Lulworth
www.absa.asn.au THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION Wareham
OF BIRDS Dorset BH20 5QP
BIRD CONSERVATION NODE (NBII) UK Headquarters United Kingdom
NBII National Program Office The Lodge 0870 7744309
302 National Center Sandy www.butterfly-conservation.org
Reston, Virginia 20192 Bedfordshire
703-648-6244 SG19 2DL
http://birdcon.nbii.gov United Kingdom
01767 680551 HELPFUL WEB SITES
BIRD STUDIES CANADA www.rspb.org.uk www.avianweb.com
P.O. Box 160 www.birding.com
Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada N0E 1MO www.birdsofbritain.co.uk
888-448-2473 www.butterflywebsite.com
www.bsc-eoc.org BATS www.enature.com
BAT CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL, INC. www.garden-birds.co.uk
BIRDS AUSTRALIA P.O. Box 162603 www.thebutterflysite.com
415 Riversdale Road Austin, Texas 78716
Hawthorn East 512-327-9721
Victoria 3123 www.batcon.org
Australia
(03) 9882 2662 THE BAT CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF CANADA
www.birdsaustralia.com.au P.O. Box 56042, Airways Postal Outlet
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 8K5
403-860-2287
www.cancaver.ca/bats/canada.htm
126
126-128 7/28/04 1:53 AM Page 127
SUPPLIERS
ADAMS & KENNEDY – THE WOOD SOURCE ROCKLER WOODWORKING AND HARDWARE
6178 Mitch Owen Road 4365 Willow Drive
P.O. Box 700 Medina, Minnesota 55340
Manotick, Ontario, Canada K4M 1A6 800-279-4441
613-822-6800 www.rockler.com
www.wood-source.com Woodworking tools and hardware
Wood supply
VAUGHAN & BUSHNELL MANUFACTURING
CONSTANTINES WOOD CENTER COMPANY
1040 East Oakland Park Boulevard 11414 Maple Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 Hebron, Illinois 60034
800-443-9667 815-648-2446
www.constantines.com www.vaughanmfg.com
Tools, woods, veneers, hardware Hammers and other tools
127
126-128 7/28/04 1:53 AM Page 128
index
A C M T
A-Frame Feeder, 112-113 California Towhee Web Platform, Martin High-Rise, 90-91 Techniques and basics, 8-9
American Kestrel Sanctuary, 18- 40-41 Materials bevel angle, finding, 9
19 Chute Feeder, 118-119 bat houses, 14 miter joints, 9
American Robin Nesting Shelf, Cleaning birdhouses, 12 nails as hinges, 9
20-21 birdhouses, 12 Miter joints, 9 Three-Sided Wren House, 70-71
American Tree Sparrow Nesting Construction Notes, 8-9 Modern Martin House, 86-87 Treecreeper Box, 102-103
Platform, 22-25 Mourning Dove Nesting Box, 76- Trees
Ash-Throated Flycatcher Desert D 77 birds, to attract, 11
Villa, 26-27 Design Tufted Titmouse A-Frame Chalet,
bat houses, 14 N 104-105
B Drainage Nails as hinges, 9
Barn Swallow Nesting Platform, birdhouses, 12 Nectar plants for butterflies, 13 V
28-29 Northern Cardinal Platform, 78- Ventilation
Barred Owl House, 30-31 E 79 bat houses, 14
Bat House, 32-33 Eastern Bluebird Cube, 44-45 Northern Flicker Box, 80-81 birdhouses, 12
Bat houses Eastern Bluebird Houses, 42-43 Vines
design, 14 Eastern Bluebird Log Cabin, 46- P birds, to attract, 11
materials, 14 47 Placement Violet-Green Swallow Dowel Log
placement, 14 Eastern Phoebe Nesting Platform, bat houses, 14 House, 106-107
ventilation, 14 48-49 birdhouses, 12
shelter considerations, 14 Entrance hole Predator protection W
Bevel angle, finding, 9 birdhouses, 12 birdhouses, 12 Water & Feeder, 124-125
Birdhouses Prothonotary Warbler Privy, 82- Wood Duck Box, 108-109
cleaning, 12 F 83
drainage, 12 Flowers Purple Martin Condo, 84-85 Y
entrance hole, 12 birds, to attract, 11 Purple Martin Row Houses, 88-89 Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Victori-
materials, 12 Food Pygmy Nuthatch Pipe House, 92- an House, 110-111
placement, 12 birds, 12 93
predator protection, 12 butterflies, 13
specifications, 15 R
ventilation, 12 G Red-Breasted Nuthatch House,
Birdbath Guy, 114-115 Grey Shrike-Thrush Nesting Plat- 94-95
Birds form, 50-51 Red-Headed Woodpecker Saltbox,
attracting, 11 96-97
flowers that attract, 11 H Redwing Treehouse, 98-99
food, 12 Haiku Wren House, 68-69 Resources, 126
shelter considerations, 11-12 House Finch Castle, 52-53 Rosella Nesting Box, 100-101
shrubs that attract, 11 House Sparrow Log Cabin, 56-59
trees that attract, 11 House Sparrow Residence, 54-55 S
vines that attract, 11 House Wren Abode, 66-67 Shrubs
vital statistics, 16-17 birds, to attract, 11
Black-Capped Chickadee House, I Sparrow Bungalow, 60-63
34-35 Icosahedron Wren House, 72-73 Sparrow Nesting Mailbox, 64-65
Black-Capped Chickadee Cottage, Introduction, 7 Squirrel-Proof Feeder, 120-121
36-37 Sunflower Seed Pipe Feeder, 122-
Bobolink Feeder, 116-117 J 123
Butterflies Japanese White-Eye Pagoda, 74- Suppliers, 127
food, 13 75
nectar plants for, 13
shelter considerations, 13
Butterfly Lighthouse, 38-39
128
0656 CM BIRDHOUSE A DAY_R#B0B8 1/16/08 2:44 PM Page 1
WOODWORKING
OVER 50 PROJECTS!
will guide you along the way.
Why spend your money on a
ready-made birdhouse or feeder that
looks like all the rest? In one after-
noon, you can build a unique bird
retreat that will soon turn your back-
yard into a birdwatcher’s paradise!
50 S!
ISBN-13: 978-1-55870-704-7
ISBN 978-1-55870-704-7
ISBN-10: 1-55870-704-2
52499
EAN
by the editors of
UPC
POPULAR
WOOD
9 78 1 55 8 70 7 04 7 WORKING
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POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS