Build-A-Birdbox

Bird boxes, also known as nesting boxes or birdhouses, are man-made structures designed to provide safe nesting sites/habitats for birds. Built to increase their breeding success and help restore bird populations. For humans, they provide enjoyment of nature, pest control, increased biodiversity, and educational opportunities.

Box Types

Bird boxes come in various types, each designed to attract specific bird species. Open-fronted boxes are good for species such as Robins, Pied Wagtails and Wrens, whilst closed-fronted boxes with small holes suit smaller birds such as Blue Tits. Swifts and Starlings require a much larger box (around 25% larger) with a much larger entrance hole. There are also specialized boxes for sparrows, owls, nuthatches, and swallows. This guide concentrates on the typical household garden birdbox, ideally suited to the common house sparrows, but can also cater for Tits, Bats and with some slight cosmetic alterations, can cater for a variety of bird species.

Tools & Materials Required for Build

Tools List:

· Tape Measure or Ruler

· A Saw Tool – Mitre/Circular Saw, Jigsaw or a form of Handsaw

· Hole Saw Cutter

· Pilot Drill Bit

· Drill

· Panel Sticking (e.g. Wood Glue, Nails or Screws)

· Screwdriver (or the appropriate bit for a drill)

· Staying Safe is a vital factor in any DIY or Construction Project, ensure that you are well protected with appropriate hand and face PPE.

o Gripper Gloves

o Goggles or Spectacle Glasses

· Paint/Stain – for added weatherproofing and design features

· Sandpaper – for a smooth finish

· Rawl plugs – optional for mounting on walls, fences or trees

· Ladder (if wall mounting in a high place)

Materials List:

· Wood – Pine, Ceder or Cypress are strongly recommended options

· 6 Panels Required (unless the roof is triangular/sloping with 2 separate panels – then 7 panels will be required).

o Single Front Wall Panel - which will include the entrance hole.

o Single Back Wall Panel - potential for wall, fence or tree mounting.

o Single Base (Floor) Panel - potential for stand or table mounting.

o 2 x Side Wall Panels – identical in size and shape to go on either side of the box.

o Roof Panel(s) – 1 (or 2) pieces to provide shelter to the box.

· Roofing Material Extras – Rubber

· Wire or strong rope – optional for hanging applications.

· A tabletop stand, stand attachment (with legs) for the base or hanging material – all depending on where and how you would like to place your box.

Material Considerations

To prevent warping and maintaining a well-insulated box, you should use wood that is between 15mm and 18mm thick.

For personal use, why not consider using old, recycled material (tired old pieces of wood from old unused furniture for example). This could not also provide an environmental benefit but also a cost benefit to you as an individual.

Be cautious if you are building for a client, organisation or national trust/forest location. You may need to use material and timber approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. You will need to look out for the FSC Logo.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Panel Measurements

All the panels should be rectangular shaped. The size of each panel will be dependent on the size/type of bird you are catering for and the amount of material you have at your disposal. Another factor to consider for measurements is the thickness of the material. For instance, if you are utilising wood as the material for the box, then the base panel should be -2 x mm (just over ¹/₁₆ of an inch) of the material thickness.

Example Sizes are as followed:

· 120mm x 150mm / 4.7” x 5.9” (Base/Floor)

· 250mm x 150mm / 9.8” x 5.9” (Side Panels – Flat Roof Singular Panel Roof design)

· 250mm x 200mm x 150mm / 9.8” x 7.8” x 5.9” (Side Panels – Triangular 2 Panel Pieces Roof design)

· 200mm x 150mm / 7.8” x 5.9” (Front Panel)

· 210mm x 150mm / 8.2” x 5.9” (Roof Panel)

· 350mm x 150mm / 13.7” x 5.9” (Back Panel – Bigger for Wall/Fence/Tree Mounting)

Cut the panels using a saw and the measurements provided, or you have chosen, If you are using a singular panel for the rooftop but choosing a sloped (triangular) roof, then you will need to cut it in half and adjust the side panels as described in the example above, with oblique angles, to accommodate the sloping roof. Another consideration, for users opting for a single flat panel rooftop, is the design of the box. If you wish for your flat roof to tilt/slope slightly forward, then the front and side panels should be trimmed to lower the height at the front of the box, creating a sloped design.

Quality Top Tip – Marking out the cutting lines and drill points with a pencil can be of great help, plus the pencil markings can then be rubbed out for a clean design and workpiece result afterwards

2. Create An Entrance

are the most ideal tool for this next step in the construction of your bird/nest box (or birdhouse). Hole Saws will allow you to create the perfect, well-rounded hole doorway into the small shelter. The size of the hole saw is critical in determining what type of bird or mammal you are attracting to your purpose-built habitat. Ideally users are looking for Hole Saws with a diameter ranging somewhere between 25mm – 43mm (0.9” – 1.6”). 32mm hole is the most common diameter to cater for the common types of small birds (such as House Sparrows), whilst 25mm holes appeal to Tit type birds (e.g. Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits) and 28mm holes are specialised for Great Tits and Tree Sparrows. It is advised that Starling boxes are 25-30% bigger than normal birdboxes with a 45mm hole entrance. Alongside the Hole Saw Cutter, a Pilot Drill Bit is recommended also, this allows a direct point and stable precise cut into the surface material. The position of your entrance hole is entirely up to you, however, most entrance holes are central or about 88mm (3½”) from the top/roof. Ensure that the hole is not too big, as this can expose the mammal to predators. Take your time and hold a steady hand as you drill the hole into the front wall panel of the birdhouse.

Quality Tools UK supplies a range of Hole Saw Cutters, Pilot Drill Bits to accompany the Hole Saws and alternatively Core Drill Bits (also known as Annular Cutters or Broach Cutter Tools). You can view our extensive range of Tools here, learn more about Hole Saws, or find out the difference between Hole Saws and Core Drills in our handy guide.

TERRAX by RUKO Hole Saw Kit, supplying 6 different sized diameter Hole Saws (22mm – 68mm variations) accompanied by 1 x A1 and 1 x A2 Arbor Pilot Drill Bits, stored in a convenient carry case, available here at Quality Tools UK

3. Assemble The Panels

Align all the panels apart from the rooftop panel(s) and stick them together. This can be done using a form of glue (NOTE – Check it is safe for animals before use), nails or screws. This should provide you with a base flooring and 4 wall panels (front, back and 2 sides). All 4 panels should ‘wrap around’ the base flooring panel of the box.

4. Attach The Roof

For flat single panel rooftops, a simple straightforward attachment to the top can be executed, just like the rest of the panels.

For triangular sloped rooftops with 2-piece (dual) panels, the panels should be aligned against each other and attached into each other before being mounted onto the roof.

Keep the roof as a detachable piece to allow for cleaning and access into the box. Screws would be more beneficial as an attachment tool to the top of the box. Maybe explore the idea of a hinged roof to allow fixture to the top but with the added ability to open the roof for access. A waterproof strip can act as a hinge between the top edge of the roof and the back board panel to maintain the waterproofing of the box.

5. Additional Aesthetic & Design Touches

Design
To create a more personal touch to the box, why not add some colour by giving it a lick of paint. Water-based wood preservatives is recommended. DO NOT paint inside the box or around the entrance hole as this could be harmful to the animals nesting within. It is also best to make sure the box is dry and properly aired out before putting the box up. Decals, stickers and other design features can help provide a nice, classy effect or give the box a good strong style presence. PLEASE NOTE – It is best to double check the stickers/decals/effects added to the box to make sure it is safe for animals, waterproof and suitable for attaching to the wood and for outdoor use.

Additional Considerations
Ventilation, Drainage and Waterproofing features may benefit nesting animals within your box. Using a standard Jobber Twist Drill Bit, you can add small holes near the top/roof for ventilation (prevents chicks, birds and other nesting animals from overheating) and small holes within the base bottom floor panel for extra drainage. Adding rubber or roofing felt to the top of the box will help to improve the waterproofing and insulation, especially for flat roofed boxes where the additional weatherproofing may be a strong requirement.

Finishing Touches

Sanding rough edges and using stain could help to create a smoother finish to the finished box.

Boosting The Attraction

Providing Food, Water and Bedding (thin layers of wood chips or straw) to the bottom of the box provides a freshly dug cavity to the mammals with extra comfort to boost the attraction and appeal of the box.

6. Position & Mount The Box

Whether you choose to hang, wall/fence/tree mount or free stand your box is up to you. However, there is some considerations you should bear in mind. Firstly, ensure that the box is safe from predators. It is advised that the box is at least 2m (or 6ft) above ground level. It is also recommended that it is within a well sheltered area from extreme changing weather conditions, for example, keeping the box out of direct sunlight is of extreme benefit to the wildlife nesting within. It is favourable to place the box facing between north and east to achieve the optimum climate of correct heat/coolness and dry/wet levels. For mounting to fence panels, walls, posts or trees, the additional size of the rear back panel, allows for drill guide holes to be created and using screws and Rawl plugs, you can conveniently mount the box with multiple screws to create a strong and sturdy nesting box. Alternatively, by drilling a hole within the top of the rear back panel, users can use wire (or strong rope) to hang the box from things like tree branches.

Summary: Box In-Action

In conclusion, building a birdbox/nestbox/birdhouse, can provide a thrilling DIY activity to a person of any age. By following the guide above and taking in the considerations below, you can craft a beautiful box that attracts a successful number of birds or small mammals.

Final Pieces of Advice:

· Regular Clean-outs and maintenance can help encourage nesting activities.

· Location is key! Sheltering from the elements and providing a safe distance and hiding spot from predators helps to appeal to animals requiring a nest.

· The correct diameter size of the entrance hole will make all the difference for the type of bird or animal you are appealing to. Think carefully about your intentions for the box and what you would like to nest in it.