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Boy bird house architecture

Chapter 15: FOOTNOTES:
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About This Book

This practical guide explains how to build and maintain nesting boxes for common native birds, describing which species readily use artificial homes and the design features that attract them. It covers suitable materials, exterior finishes, precise box dimensions, placement and mounting, feeding devices, and seasonal care, and includes detailed plates and drawings of proven house types for bluebirds, robins, wrens, woodpeckers, nuthatches, swallows, titmice, and chickadees. Instructions for organizing school or community bird-house contests and exhibits are also provided.

Typical Bird House Specifications.

Bird Floor Area in Inches Depth in Inches Entrance Above Floor in Inches Diameter of Entrance in Inches Height From Ground in Inches
Bluebird 5×5 8 6 5-10
Robin 6×8 8 [A] [A] 6-15
Chickadee 4×4 8-10 8 1⅛ 6-15
Tufted Titmouse 4×4 8-10 8 6-15
White-breasted Nuthatch 4×4 8-10 8 12-20
House Wren 4×4 6-8 1-6 6-10
Bewick Wren 4×4 6-8 1-6 1⅛ 6-10
Carolina Wren 4×4 6-8 1-6 1⅛ 6-10
Dipper 6×6 6 1 3 1-3
Violent-Green Swallow 5×5 6 1-6 10-15
Tree Swallow 5×5 6 1-6 10-15
Barn Swallow 6×6 6 [A] [A] 8-12
Martin 6×6 6 1 16-20
Swallow 6×6 6 1 16-20
Song Sparrow 6×6 6 [B] 1-3
Crested Flycatcher 6×6 8-10 8 2 8-20
Red-headed Woodpecker 6×6 12-15 12 2 12-20
Golden-Fronted Woodpecker 6×6 12-15 12 12-20
Hairy Woodpecker 6×6 12-15 12 12-20
Downy Woodpecker 4×4 8-10 8 6-20
Screech Owl 8×8 12-15 12 3 10-30
Sparrow Hawk 8×8 12-15 12 3 10-30
Saw-Whet Owl 6×6 10-12 10 12-20
Barn Owl 10×18 15-18 4 6 12-18
Wood Duck 10×18 10-15 3 6 4-20

FOOTNOTES:

[A] One or more sides open.
[B] All sides open.


There should be a few small holes bored in the bottom to allow any moisture that might accumulate, to drain. Also, another set of holes at least ¼-inch in diameter should be bored for ventilation, high enough so that no drafts will affect the young. These are best located just under the eaves.

In boring the entrance hole, tip the bit upward slightly so that rain water will not drip inward.

Some device for attaching the house to a building or tree should be provided. It is best to have the house stationary to prevent undue swinging in a high wind, perhaps causing the breaking of eggs and discomfort to the mother bird.

Houses of unusual shape or design are not considered as good as the plainer types, the idea being to make each house harmonize as naturally as possible with the surroundings.

It must be evident from the foregoing that there are quite a number of things to keep in mind as we prepare our plans for the homes of the future feathered inhabitants.