Anyone build birdhouses?

hazetguy · Samba Member Joined: April 06, 2001 Posts: 8977

i need some non-VW related activities, and we just bought a house with a good sized yard and a lot of trees, both on our property and the neighbors'. there is a stream/creek at the very back of the property.
there are several old (hand made) birdhouses scattered about, but they are well past their useful days and will be going in the scrap pile soon.
i'd like to build a few birdhouses since there are many birds around here. anyone have any good plans for birdhouses? any hints or tips? not looking to build anything extremely exotic, although interesting designs are welcome.
what types of wood work well (i have access to a lot of recycled lumber)?
here's a list of local birds that might use them once built. http://asheville.wbu.com/content/show/9266

Glenn · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject:

http://www.freebirdhouseplans.net/

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seriously... your yard is huge and it will be nice to have the sound of birds when you sit on the deck.
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hazetguy · Samba Member Joined: April 06, 2001 Posts: 8977

crofty · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject:

I'll take a pic of the ones I threw together when I get a chance.

You could also get some working birds and build a birdhouse like this-

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I have pics of the coop finished but I'll have to post them later.
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alexs64 · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject:

crofty · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject:

zozo · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

I love these things. We have 4 feeders, and at dusk there'll be sometimes 25-30 of these little guys hummin' around. They're amazing little creatures and as yet have left no evidence of their presence in the way of bird crap or anything else.
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Patty B. · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:14 pm Post subject:

I love building birdhouses!

I want to build apartment buildings and bat houses to work on taking down the mosquito population.

I've seen some builders use old tin ceiling tiles bent to shape roofs--could use license plates. Also like re purposed things like tea pots.

Just make sure you have the right size hole or the Grackles and Starlings will move in first!!

my59 · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

I'd rather feed them than house them- we have enough cats looking for free treats.

My grandfather used to put out rasins for the mockingbirds, and whenever pigeons started raping the seed feeder and chasing off the songbirds he'd take them out with a wrist rocket and pachinko balls.
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The Sage · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject:

I don't think you are going to get a comprehensive answer with such an open ended question.

The first thing you must do is research what kind of birds you would like, and what kind of birds habituate in your region. You should also ask neighbors, and perhaps join your local bird watching group.

http://www.americanbirdcenter.com/abc-northcarolina.html

Once you understand which opportunities you have, then you must create an environment that is appropriate to the variety you wish to attract.

I personally go for the classic "License Plate" bird house, which incorporates a sensitivity toward recycling.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Collie · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

good idea with the license plate!!!
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crofty · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject:

Wow. Something from Florida that's actually useful!
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Glenn · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject:

The Sage · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

I picked a Florida plate specifically for Hazetguy, since he is such a fan.
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hazetguy · Samba Member Joined: April 06, 2001 Posts: 8977

keifernet · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

To me there is nothing novel about using a license plate for a birdhouse roof, it has PWT ( or PWTT) written all over it. And yes it would also transmit too much heat unless your putting it over some wood or insulating it some how.

I prefer old fence planks or barn siding. Western cedar or other natural non treated wood, natural weathering or very faded paint or stain.

Table saw/ chop saw and small T nailer gun and your imagination and your set. Except for the excellent tips about drilling and setting up the entry hole and maybe some size parameters to entice/include/exclude certain species and you should be fine.
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Foxx · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject:

nice
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jmsmilin · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

Cracker Barrel sells some sweet ones, we just got the 'See Rock City' one and its way cool

I think they sell on ebay too
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mynameismud · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject:

I'll have to post up a sketch in the a.m., of a birdhouse that I have yet to build.
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orangeeyesore · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject:

I think i just found what my son and I will be doing tomorrow.
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