Build A Fine Home For Your Feathered Friends!: Birdhouses

0656 CM BIRDHOUSE A DAY_R#B0B8 1/16/08 2:44 PM Page 1
(A)(LSH) 200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) CVR
WOODWORKING
BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY

BUILD A FINE HOME FOR YOUR
FEATHERED FRIENDS! birdhouses
Birds of all feathers will be flocking to your backyard to live in
the beautiful houses and dine in the unique feeders you can
build in just a few short hours. This book is chock-full of more
than 50 simple projects for bird, butterfly and bat houses
YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY
designed by the expert editors of Popular Woodworking
Books. All you need are basic woodworking skills, tools, project
materials and your imagination!
Each design is guaranteed to attract specific birds in nearly
every region, including Australia, Europe and the United States.
Build a cottage for chickadees, nesting shelves and boxes for
robins and mourning doves, basic bluebird houses — even a
finch castle! Step-by-step color pho-
tos and easy-to-follow instructions
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!
MORE FINE TITLES FROM POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS:

70656
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OVER
ISBN-13: 978-1-55870-704-7
ISBN 978-1-55870-704-7
ISBN-10: 1-55870-704-2
52499
5 0
ROJECTS!
EAN
P by the editors of
UPC
POPULAR
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POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS
001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 1
200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P1
by the editors of POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS

CINCINNATI, OHIO
www.popularwoodworking.com
70656 FM rev 09-05.qxd 10/7/05 7:57 PM Page 2
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lustrations, photographs and text have been
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Birdhouses You Can Build in a Day. Copyright © 2004 by the Editors
ects should be carefully read, studied and under- of Popluar Woodworking Books. Manufactured in China. All rights re-
stood before beginning construction. In some served. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
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09 08 07 06 057 6 5 4 3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Birdhouses you can build in a day/by the editors of Popular Wood-

working Books.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 13: 978-1-55870-704-7 (alk. paper)
ISBN-13: 978-1-55870-925-6 (EPUB)
ISBN 10: 1-55870-704-2 (alk. paper)
1. Birdhouses--design and construction. I. Popular Woodworking
Books (Firm)
QL676.5.B483 2004
690'.8927--dc22 2004044767
ACQUISITIONS EDITOR: Jim Stack

EDITED BY: Amy Hattersley
DESIGNED BY: Brian Roeth
LAYOUT ARTIST: Kathy Gardner
PRODUCTION COORDINATED BY: Robin Richie
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Bill Horn and Bill Leaman
FINISHED PROJECTS AND COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Tim Grondin
STYLIST: Nora Martini
001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 3
“
“ Poor indeed is the garden in
which birds find no homes.
ABRAM L. URBAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PROJECT AUTHORS

It took a village of people to build the birdhouses and feeders for this book. Here at F+W Publica- Meg Cannon
tions, I put the word out that we were looking for folks interested in picking a bird, doing research Patrick Crawford
and designing and building a birdhouse or two. The response was great. All the houses were built Wendy Dunning
in the Popular Woodworking workshop. Megan Fitzpatrick
The aim was to see how much fun and creativity we could pack into each project. The builders Amy Hattersley
had a blast. Whether it was designing the project, cutting the wood, assembling or finishing the Tim Hogan
houses, a good time was had by all. Al Parrish
I want to thank all the project builders for their enthusiasm and willingness to jump right in Christine Polomsky
and make things happen. It is our hope that our fine feathered friends will enjoy the new houses Jasmine Poole
and feeders that will be appearing in our area this spring. Brian Roeth
The last challenge was to get some, if not all, of the builders to hold still long enough for a Brian Schroeder
group photo. Here they are with their creations in hand. Jim Stack
JIM STACK
Acquisitions Editor
From left to right:

(SEATED) Megan Fitz-
patrick, Jasmine
Poole; (FRONT ROW)
Jim Stack, Amy Hat-
tersley, Meg Cannon,
Christine Polomsky,
Wendy Dunning;
(BACK ROW) Brian
Schroeder, Al Parrish,
Brian Roeth;
(Not pictured: Tim
Hogan and Patrick
Crawford)
001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 4
table of contents
introduction ...7
construction notes ...8
Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Bats

to Your Backyard . . . 10
HOUSES
PROJECT 1 AMERICAN KESTREL SANCTUARY. . . 18
PROJECT 2 AMERICAN ROBIN NESTING SHELF. . . 20
PROJECT 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW NESTING PLATFORM . . . 22
PROJECT 4 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER DESERT VILLA . . . 26
PROJECT 5 BARN SWALLOW NESTING PLATFORM . . . 28
PROJECT 6 BARRED OWL HOUSE . . . 30
PROJECT 7 BAT HOUSE . . . 32
PROJECT 8 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE HOUSE . . . 34
PROJECT 9 CHICKADEE COTTAGE . . . 36
PROJECT 10 BUTTERFLY LIGHTHOUSE . . . 38
PROJECT 11 CALIFORNIA TOWHEE WEB PLATFORM . . . 40
PROJECT 12 EASTERN BLUEBIRD HOUSES . . . 42
PROJECT 13 EASTERN BLUEBIRD CUBE . . . 44
PROJECT 14 EASTERN BLUEBIRD LOG CABIN . . . 46
PROJECT 15 EASTERN PHOEBE NESTING PLATFORM . . . 48
PROJECT 16 GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH NESTING PLATFORM . . . 50

001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 5
PROJECT 17 HOUSE FINCH CASTLE . . . 52
PROJECT 18 HOUSE SPARROW RESIDENCE . . . 54
PROJECT 19 HOUSE SPARROW LOG CABIN . . . 56
PROJECT 20 SPARROW BUNGALOW . . . 60
PROJECT 21 SPARROW NESTING MAILBOX . . . 64
PROJECT 22 HOUSE WREN ABODE . . . 66
PROJECT 23 HAIKU WREN HOUSE . . . 68
PROJECT 24 THREE-SIDED WREN HOUSE . . . 70
PROJECT 25 ICOSAHEDRON WREN HOUSE . . . 72
PROJECT 26 JAPANESE WHITE-EYE PAGODA . . . 74
PROJECT 27 MOURNING DOVE NESTING BOX . . . 76
PROJECT 28 NORTHERN CARDINAL PLATFORM . . . 78
PROJECT 29 NORTHERN FLICKER BOX . . . 80
PROJECT 30 PROTHONOTARY WARBLER PRIVY . . . 82
PROJECT 31 PURPLE MARTIN CONDO . . . 84
PROJECT 32 MODERN MARTIN HOUSE . . . 86
TABLE OF CONTENTS continued >

001-007 7/28/04 1:48 AM Page 6
PROJECT 33 PURPLE MARTIN ROW HOUSES . . . 88
PROJECT 34 MARTIN HIGH-RISE . . . 90
PROJECT 35 PYGMY NUTHATCH PIPE HOUSE . . . 92
PROJECT 36 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH HOUSE . . . 94
PROJECT 37 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER SALTBOX . . . 96
PROJECT 38 REDWING TREEHOUSE . . . 98
PROJECT 39 ROSELLA NESTING BOX . . . 100
PROJECT 40 TREECREEPER BOX . . . 102
PROJECT 41 TUFTED TITMOUSE A-FRAME CHALET . . . 104
PROJECT 42 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW DOWEL LOG HOUSE . . . 106
PROJECT 43 WOOD DUCK BOX . . . 108
PROJECT 44 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER VICTORIAN HOUSE . . . 110
FEEDERS
PROJECT 45 A-FRAME FEEDER . . . 112
PROJECT 46 BIRDBATH GUY . . . 114
PROJECT 47 BOBOLINK FEEDER . . . 116
PROJECT 48 CHUTE FEEDER . . . 118
PROJECT 49 “SQUIRREL-PROOF” FEEDER . . . 120
PROJECT 50 SUNFLOWER SEED PIPE FEEDER . . . 122
PROJECT 51 WATER & FEEDER . . . 124
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.
8
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USING NAILS AS HINGES 71/4"
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.
ASSEMBLING MITER JOINTS
< 1> < 2> < 3>

Cut the parts, lay them face up and tape Turn the assembly over and apply glue to the Fold the assembly and apply a final piece of tape
them using clear packing tape. miter joints. to the last miter joint. Let the glue set. This
method of assembling miter joints eliminates
the need for clamps.
FINDING A BEVEL ANGLE

Use this simple method Flip the sliding T-bevel
to determine the bevel over and lay it against
angle of two miter cuts. the other miter cut.
Hold a sliding T-bevel Draw a line against the
against one of the bevel. The two lines
miter cuts. Then, using should almost be the
your eye, set the bevel same. Repeat these two
at approximately half steps until you have a
of the angle formed by line that is the same
the two miter cuts and when the bevel is held
draw a line. against either slanted cut. You can use this angle to cut the
bevels on the edges of two parts to be joined together into
an assembly that will fit on the miter cuts.
9
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ATTRACTING
birds, butterflies
and bats
TO YOUR BACKYARD
70656 I pgs 008 to17 7/28/04 1:54 AM Page 11
THE bird environment

> FOOD AND SHELTER ARE ESSENTIAL FOR for wildlife habitats, as well as flowers and
the survival of all species. Loss of suitable nesting vines that will attract birds. Ask salespeo-
sites is a major factor in the decline of some bird ple from a local nursery to recommend
species. In the wild, many species nest in cavities of plants that are suitable for your area. Some
dead trees. With the loss of hedgerows in some parts plants, while suited for wildlife, may have
of the country and the removal of dead trees in characteristics such as shallow roots or weak
towns, natural nesting sites are often limited. Also, limbs that make them inappropriate for
some highly competitive, nonnative species of birds small urban properties, or they may not be
have taken over some of the existing nesting sites winter hardy in all locations. Birds will eat
once occupied by native birds. any kind of flower or seed, depending on the
Bird species are extremely variable in their habits. kind of bird and kind of seed.
Some like deeply wooded areas; others prefer open
fields and meadows. Many species are year-round SHELTER FOR BIRDS
residents, while others appear only for a few days a All bird species have specific nesting requirements. Purple Martin
year during migration. Species such as sparrows, blue Because of these requirements, your yard may not
jays, cardinals, robins, juncos and chickadees are accommodate certain species. For instance, Eastern
highly adaptable and found in many environments. bluebirds prefer nesting sites that border open fields
Many people are not aware of the value that dead, or lawns and have a tree or fence post nearby to pro-
dying and hollow trees, as well as logs on the ground vide feeding perches whereas chickadees prefer to
have for birds and other wildlife. Dead trees provide nest in brushy wooded areas.
homes to more than 400 species of birds, mammals Before setting out nesting houses, find out which
and amphibians. Fish, plants and fungi also benefit species are common in your area and can be encour-
from dead and dying trees. Consider leaving standing aged to nest in your yard. Make or buy a birdhouse
dead and dying trees in your yard unless they pose a specifically designed for the bird you wish to attract.
human safety or property hazard, and use old logs The size of the entrance hole is critical to prevent the
and stumps in gardens and landscaping. eggs and young from being destroyed by larger birds;
always check a list of appropriate hole sizes, like the
ATTRACTING BIRDS TO YOUR YARD chart found later in this chapter. Other considera-
You can attract a variety of birds to your yard by let- tions include box size, height above the ground, di-
ting a part of your yard grow wild. If that is unap- rection the entrance hole faces and amount of
pealing, you can create a brush pile, let a section of sunlight. Boxes may need baffles or other protective
your grass remain unmowed or plant a patch of devices to limit access by cats and other predators. A
wildflowers. Below are some plant species to consider good reference publication is Homes for Birds by the
TREES FOR BIRDS SHRUBS FOR BIRDS FLOWERS AND VINES

American beech (FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA) Burning bush (EUONYMUS ALATUS) FOR BIRDS
Balsam fir (ABIES BALSAMEA) Common juniper (JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS) American bittersweet (CELASTRUS SCANDENS)
Black cherry (PRUNUS SEROTINA) Firethorn (PYRACANTHA COCCINEA) Barberry (BERBERIS VULGARIS)
Black gum (NYSSA SYLVATICA) Highbush blueberry (VACCINIUM CORYBOSUM) Clover (TRIFOLIUM SPP.)
Crabapple (MALUS SPP.) Hollies — both evergreen and deciduous Petunia (PETUNIA HYBRIDA)
Elm (ULMUS SPP.) species (ILEX SPP.) Trumpet honeysuckle (LONICERA SEMPERVIRENS
Flowering dogwood (CORNUS FLORIDA) Red osier dogwood (CORNUS STOLONIFERA) AND RELATED SPP.)
Hawthorn (CRATAEGUS SPP.) Serviceberry (AMELANCHIER ARBOREA) Strawberry (FRAGARIA SPP.)
Hickory (CARYA SPP.) Spicebush (LINDERA BENZOIN) Sunflower (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS)
Live oak (QUERCUS VIRGINIANA) Sumac (RHUS SPP.) Trumpet creeper or vine (CAMPSIS RADICANS)
Locust (ROBINIA SPP.) Viburnum (VIBURNUM SPP.) Virginia creeper (PARTHENOCISSUS
Maple (ACER SPP.) Wax myrtle (MYRICA CERIFERA) QUINQUEFOLIA)
Oak (QUERCUS SPP.) Wild grape (VITIS SPP.)
Pine (PINUS SPP.)
Red mulberry (MORUS RUBRA)
Spruce (PICEA SPP.)
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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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70656 I pgs 008 to17 7/28/04 1:54 AM Page 13
THE butterfly environment

> COLORFUL BUTTERFLIES ADD BEAUTY AND FOOD FOR BUTTERFLIES
interest to your backyard. Hundreds of different When it comes to food choices, butterflies are amaz-
species of butterflies live in North America. Butter- ingly particular. The larval stage of the butterfly may
flies are insects. They hatch into larvae (commonly require food quite different from that of the adult.
referred to as caterpillars), eventually become pupae Some larvae consume tremendous amounts of plant
and develop into colorful adults. How long the material, seemingly devouring plants overnight. A
process takes depends on the species and the climate. common example in the garden is the tomato horn-
Butterflies, like all insects, are most active when worm, which rapidly strips tomato plants of their
the sun is out and temperatures are warmer. They leaves. An equally voracious but beautiful larva is the
benefit from a basking site where they can warm up Eastern black swallowtail, which is found only on
on cool mornings. A light-colored rock or concrete plants in the carrot family, including celery, carrot,
garden sculpture make good basking sites. Butter- dill and parsley. A close relative, the Eastern tiger
flies also need a source of water. A shallow dish of swallowtail, eats the foliage of wild cherry, birch,
water or a depression in a rock that retains water is poplar, ash and tulip trees.
all they need. Adult butterflies require liquid foods such as
plant-produced nectar. They get some of it from
SHELTER FOR BUTTERFLIES flowers and from juices of extraripe fruit. The types
Butterfly houses are built to attract butterflies, par- of flowering plants you grow will determine the
ticularly mourning cloaks, anglewings and tortoise- kinds of butterflies you attract to your backyard.
shells. To make the most of the house, place it in a Butterfly bush is especially attractive. Find out what
woody section of your yard. Butterflies are attracted butterfly species are common in your area and use
to elm, willow and poplar trees. Most importantly, plants they like. You can also use nectar feeders to at-
plant some nectar plants nearby (see box, below). tract butterflies. Do not use insecticides near plants
You can also paint purple and yellow flowers on the and feeders for butterflies. Learn to recognize larval
house to attract butterflies. and egg forms. That large green and black caterpillar
eating your dill may one day turn into the gorgeous
butterfly you were hoping to attract!
NECTAR PLANTS FOR BUTTERFLIES

Aster (ASTER SPP.)
Azalea (RHODODENDRON SPP.)
Butterfly bush (BUDDLEIA SPP.)
Butterfly weed and other milkweeds (ASCLEPIAS SPP.)
Cardinal flower (LOBELIA CARDINALIS)
Clover and other legumes (TRIFOLIUM SPP. OR MELILOTUS SPP., LESPEDEZA
SPP., MEDICAGO SPP.)
Columbine (AQUILEGIA SPP.)
Coneflower (ECHINACEA SPP.)
Delphinium (DELPHINIUM SPP.)
Fuchsia (FUCHSIA SPP.)
Honeysuckle (LONICERA SPP.)
Jewelweed (IMPATIENS CAPENSIS OR IMPATIENS PALLIDA)
Lobelia (LOBELIA SPP.)
Lupine (LUPINUS SPP.)
Butterflies love flowers with lots of Penstemon (PENSTEMON SPP.)
sweet nectar. Phlox (PHLOX SPP.)
Salvia (SALVIA SPP.)
Sedum (SEDUM SPP.)
Trumpet creeper or vine (CAMPSIS RADICANS)
Weigela (WEIGELA SPP.)
Zinnia (ZINNIA SPP.)
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THE beneficial bat

> BATS ARE BENEFICIAL AND INTERESTING
mammals. They are the single most important con-
troller of night-flying insects, including mosquitoes,
moths and beetles. For example, a single little brown
bat can catch up to 600 mosquitoes in an hour. It’s
fun to watch bats fly around light posts catching bugs.
SHELTER FOR BATS

A bat house will help attract bats to your yard and
provide them with a much-needed roosting habitat.
Most colonies of bats choose roosts within a quarter
mile of water, preferably a stream, river or lake. The
greatest bat house success has been achieved in areas
with a mixture of varied agricultural and natural
vegetation.
BAT HOUSE CONSTRUCTION BASICS

Materials
A combination of exterior plywood and cedar is best.
Apply three coats of exterior-grade, water-based
paint or stain to the exterior. The paint color
depends upon the amount of sun exposure in your
geographic area. Use black when the average high
temperature in July is less than 85° F, use dark brown
or gray when the temperature is 85° F to 95° F, use
medium colors when the temperature is 95° F to
100° F and use white or light colors when the tem-
perature exceeds 100° F. Create scratches and grooves
and staple plastic mesh to the interior and apply two
coats of dark, exterior-grade, water-based stain.
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.
14
70656 I pgs 008 to17 7/28/04 1:54 AM Page 15
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
Barn Swallow open nester 6 152 8–12 2–6
Barred Owl 10 x 10 254 x 254 15 381 10 254 6 152 10–30 3–9

7⁄
Bat no floor 24–30 610–762 bottom 8x 6 22 x 152 10–30 3–9
1⁄
Black-Capped Chickadee 4x4 102 x 102 8–10 203–254 6–8 152–203 1 8 29 4–15 1–4.5
1⁄
Butterfly 7x7 178 x 178 24 610 slots up & down 2x 3 13 x 76 3–5 1–1.5
front of box
California Towhee open nester platform 4–12 1–6

1⁄
Eastern Bluebird 5x5 127 x 127 8–12 203–305 6–10 152–254 1 2 38 4–6 1–2
Eastern Phoebe open nester 6 152 8–12 2–4
Grey Shrike-Thrush open nester platform 10–15 3–4.5
House Finch 6x6 152 x 152 6 152 4 102 2 51 8–12 2–4

1⁄
House Sparrow 10 x 10 254 x 254 15 381 6 152 1 2 38 10–20 3–6
House Wren 4x4 102 x 102 6–8 152–203 4–6 102–152 1 25 5–10 1.5–3
Japanese White-Eye open nester platform 6–10 2–3
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
Redwing 5x5 127 x 127 6 152 4–5 102–127 2 51 4–8 1–2
Rosella 8x8 203 x 203 17–18 432–457 10 254 3 76 17–20 5–6

1⁄
Treecreeper 3x4 76 x 102 10 254 9 229 1 4 32 8–15 2–4.5
Tufted Titmouse 4x4 102 x 102 10 254 4–6 102–152 2 51 5–15 1.5–4.5
1⁄
Violet-Green Swallow 5x5 127 x 127 6–8 152–203 4–6 102–152 1 2 38 5–15 1.5–4.5
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
70656 I pgs 008 to17 7/28/04 1:54 AM Page 16
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
16
70656 I pgs 008 to17 7/28/04 1:54 AM Page 17
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
17
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:56 AM Page 18
AMERICAN KESTRAL
sanctuary
<j i m stack>
This birdhouse is larger than most in this

book, but the assembly is straightforward.
The tower makes this house distinctive
and is a fun part of the project to make.
Attach the house to the side of a tree 12'
to 20' off the ground or on the peak of a
barn or a tall house.
Roof parts
D (2)
Side B (2)
3/4" 3/4"
Tower peak L
Upper tower
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
Upper tower
QUANTITY
top K
LENGTH
front/back G (2)
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
Lower tower
A 2 front/back 4 (19) 12 (305) 14 (356) top J Lower tower
3⁄ 1⁄ front/back E (2)
B 2 sides 4 (19) 9 2 (241) 14 (356)
3⁄
C 1 bottom 4 (19) 13 (330) 161⁄ 2 (419)
3⁄ 35°
D 2 roof parts 4 (19) 9 (229) 171⁄ 2 (445)
3⁄ Ro
E 2 lower tower front/back 4 (19) 4 (102) 5 (127)
3⁄
F 2 lower tower sides 4 (19) 21⁄ 2 (64) 5 (127) 3"-diameter hole
G 2 upper tower front/back 3⁄
4 (19) 3 (76) 4 (102) located 9" on center
3⁄
from the bottom of the
H 2 upper tower sides 4 (19) 11⁄ 2 (38) 4 (102) front panel
1⁄
J 1 lower tower top 2 (13) 5 (127) 5 (127)
K 1 upper tower top 1⁄
2 (13) 4 (102) 4 (102) Front/back A (2)
1⁄ 1⁄
L 1 tower peak 1 4 (32) 1 4 (32) 5 (127)
18
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 19
< 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)
)
Roof part D (2)
Side B (2)
Bottom C
19
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 20
AMERICAN ROBIN nesting shelf <m e g cannon>
Because robins build exposed

nest cups that rest in the forks
of branches, they prefer an
open-sided nest box like this
one. Robins aren’t shy about
nesting near humans, so you
can attach the nest box to
your house near a window and
watch their lives unfold up
close. Attaching a robin’s nest
box to your house also helps
protect the robins from such
predators as crows, who tend
to stay away from buildings.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 1 top 4 (19) 8 (203) 81⁄ 4 (210)
3⁄
B 1 bottom 4 (19) 8 (203) 7 (178)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 6 (152) 8 (203)
3⁄
D 1 back 4 (19) 91⁄ 4 (235) 13 (330)
20
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 21
AMERICAN ROBIN < 1>

Although the appearance of the Cut out the parts according to the cutting list.
American robin is considered an Then lay out the radius cut on the sides. Use a
indicator of spring, they actually band saw, coping saw or jigsaw to make the
spend the winter in much of radius cut. Sand it smooth using an oscillating
their breeding range. However, sander as shown. If you don’t have a sander,
because they spend more time in use some 150-grit sandpaper wrapped around
flocks in the winter and less time a cutoff from a broom stick or a fine rasp.
in backyards, you are less likely to
see them until spring.
The American robin is 9" to
11" tall with a gray back and
< 2>
Using exterior glue and nails, attach the sides
wings and brick-red underparts. to the bottom.
They are a familiar sight pulling
up worms on suburban lawns,
but fruit is a substantial part of
their main diet. American robins
prefer to live in forests and in
urban and suburban areas. They
are found across the United States
and Canada in the summer, but
spend the winter south into Mex-
< 3>
Using glue and nails, attach the top to the sides.
ico. The American robin is the
most widespread thrush in North
America due to its tolerance of
human-modified habitats.
< 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
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 22
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW nesting platform

<j i m stack>
This nesting platform is a fun

and challenging project to
make. The angled roof parts
require some patience to fit
together, but that’s what these
projects are about — having
fun and enjoying a challenge.
The columns limit the size
of the birds that can use it. If
you want to make this for a
bird other than the American
tree sparrow, simply make all
the parts and space the
columns accordingly.
Because American tree
sparrows nest close to the
ground, place the house ap-
proximately 2' off the ground
and conceal within vegetation
for protection.
22
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 23
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.
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW NESTING PLATFORM continued >
23
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 24
< 2> < 3>

Cut a notch in the top to accept the back. This is Make the long cut of the notch by setting the saw’s fence to the depth of
easily done on the band saw by first making the the notch. Make a skewed cut up to one of the short cuts. Flip the part
two short cuts of the notch. over and make the second cut to the other short cut.
< 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
< 6> < 7>

Cut out the two back roof parts. Then cut a 15° bevel on one long edge of each Lay the taped, angled roof assembly flat and cut
part. Tape and glue the miter joint. When the glue sets, cut out the angled roof the radius on the line you drew.
parts. Start by cutting a 251 ⁄ 2° × 171 ⁄ 2°-compound bevel on scrap roof parts. Cut
the sample parts until you have the compound angle just right, then cut the actu-
al roof parts. Tape the miter joints and hold the assembly in place next to the
back roof parts. Center a compass at the peak of the roof and draw a radius
around the angled assembly.
< 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
(A)(LSH) 200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P26
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER desert villa
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
<j i m stack and amy hattersley>
< 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)
27
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 28
BARN SWALLOW nesting platform
A barn-style nesting platform for barn swallows seemed only

natural. You can attach this platform below the eaves or gutters
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
of a barn, a tall outbuilding or your two-story house if you live in

LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
an open area. (mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 1 bottom 4 (19) 9 (229) 91⁄ 4 (235)
3⁄
B 2 sides 4 (19) 73⁄ 32 (180) 10 (254)
3⁄ 3⁄
C 3 roof parts 4 (19) 5 8 (137) 12 (305)
3⁄
D 1 back 4 (19) 9 (229) 11 (279)
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.
Roof part C (3)

5 3/8"
/8"
60°
53
Roof
Back D part
C (3)
7 3 / 32 " Side B (2)
9" Bottom A 10"
29
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BARRED OWL
house
<j i m stack>
This birdhouse is the largest one in the

book. Barred owls require a large entrance
hole and spacious nesting quarters. To
have some fun, I made this six-sided
house with a matching roof.
Hang this house on the side of a tree
10’ to 30’ high. Be sure to place the en-
trance next to the trunk of the tree in-
stead of facing away from the tree. This
allows the owl to jump from the tree
through the house opening.
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
(mm) (mm) (mm) 2

3⁄ 1⁄
13 1 / 4 "
A 6 sides 4 (19) 8 2 (216) 32 (813)
3⁄
B 6 roof parts 4 (19) 81⁄ 2 (216) 91⁄ 4 (235)
C 1 bottom 3⁄
4 (19) 131⁄ 4 (337) 151⁄ 4 (387)
15 1 / 4 " 14 3 / 4 "
R f t B (6) 1/ " 17"

30
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 31
BARRED OWL < 1>

The barred owl is recognized by its dis- Cut the side parts according to
tinctive “who-cooks-for-you, who- the cutting list. Cut a 30° bevel on
cooks-for-you-all” hooting. At about both long edges of each side.
20", it’s an aggressive, large, stocky owl Then lay all the parts face up
with a gray-brown back, white under- miter to miter. Tape the joints,
parts with dark streaks, dark eyes and a flip the whole assembly face
round head with no ear tufts. down, apply glue to the miter
Barred owls eat small mammals, joints and fold the box together.
rabbits, birds, insects, fish, bats and Apply tape on the final miter
joint to hold the box until the
other owls. They prefer a large forest
glue sets.
habitat and reside year-round in the
continental United States and southern
Canada. A small disjointed population
also lives in southern Mexico. They like
to use artificial nest boxes.
< 2>
Lay out the entrance hole and
The barred owl population has drill 1 ⁄ 2"-diameter holes at the
expanded westward in the last century bottom corners. Cut the opening
and may displace the endangered spot- with a jigsaw.
ted owl. In fact, there are known hybrids
of the two species. The most serious
predatory threat to this combative bird
is the great horned owl, and although
the two breeds share the same areas, a < 3>
barred owl will avoid parts of its terri- Using the box as a template, trace
tory occupied by a great horned owl. its shape on the bottom blank.
Mark one side so you’ll know
which way the bottom fits after
you cut it to shape. Then nail the
bottom in place.
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
Side A (2) cap F

PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 1⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 3 2 (89) 27 (686) Cut a diagonal
B 1 back 3⁄
4 (19) 61⁄ 2 (165) 27 (686) bevel on the
bottom cap.
3⁄
C 1 front 4 (19) 61⁄ 2 (165) 21 (533) Back B
3⁄ 51/4" 7/8"-wide
D 1 top 4 (19) 6 (152) 8 (203)
3⁄ 1⁄ entrance
E 1 spacer 4 (19) 2 (51) 5 2 (140) opening
3⁄
F 1 bottom cap 4 (19) 11⁄ 8 (29) 51⁄ 2 (140) 51/2"
31/2"
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>
Since chickadees nest naturally in excavated

holes in rotting trees, you can entice (and de-
ceive) them into your box by filling it with saw-
dust or woodchips. They will carry the sawdust
or wood chips out bit by bit and will accept the
box for nesting.
To finish this project, I applied a base coat of
blue acrylic paint and let it dry. Then I spread a
little bit of petroleum jelly in different spots all
over the house. I applied a coat of darker blue
acrylic paint on top of the base coat and spots
of petroleum jelly. I let it dry, then I wiped the
jelly off the paint. Where the jelly was applied,
the paint wiped off, resulting in an attractive
mottled design. After I cleaned the remainder
of the jelly off the house with soap and water, I
applied a light application of brown antiquing
gel to age it.
Attach this house to the side of tree 4' to 15'
off the ground.
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.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
1 / 4" ventilation
LENGTH
WIDTH
holes
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

Front A Side B (2)
3⁄
A 1 front 4 (19) 4 (102) 9 (229)
3⁄
B 2 sides 4 (19) 4 (102) 9 (229)
3⁄
C 1 bottom 4 (19) 21⁄ 2 (64) 4 (102)
3⁄
D 1 top 4 (19) 4 (102) 71⁄ 2 (191)
3⁄
E 1 back 4 (19) 4 (102) 131⁄ 2 (343)
Bottom C
34
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 35
< 1>
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.
35
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 36
CHICKADEE cottage <j a s m i n e poole>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

A 1 base 11⁄ 2 (38) 71⁄ 2 (191) 91⁄ 2 (241)
3⁄
B 2 front/back 4 (19) 71⁄ 2 (191) 91⁄ 2 (241)
3⁄ 1⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 4 (102) 6 2 (165)
3⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 4 (102) 4 (102)
5⁄ 3⁄
E 15 roof sticks 8 (16) 4 (19) 61⁄ 2 (165)
36
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 37
This house, complete with a curved roof

to enhance drainage and ventilation, has
< 1>
Cut the parts according to the
a 1" entrance hole that appeals not only cutting list. Use a compass to lay
out the radii at the top of the
to chickadees but to many birds such as
front and back parts. Use a scroll
finches, titmice and wrens. saw, coping saw, jigsaw or band
One side of the house is hinged with saw to cut the radii. Smooth the
cuts with a file, sandpaper or os-
nails so you can open it and clean the
cillating drum sander as shown in
house. Remove the old nest to make the photo. Drill the hole in the
room for a new nest each year. front. Nail the front to the sides.
Attach one side at its top only.
Install the birdhouse on top of a fence
(The side you want to be able to
post or on the side of a tree 4' to 15' off open for cleaning.) Orient the
the ground. sides as shown in the illustration.
Next, attach the bottom to the
sides and the front with nails. Fi-
nally, set this assembly upright on
a flat surface and align the back
with the front. (This ensures that
the roof sticks will align proper-
7 1 /2"
ly.) Nail the back to the sides and
bottom.
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
37
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 38
BUTTERFLY
lighthouse
<j i m stack>
To make this house a little different, I decided to

slightly taper the sides, front and back. You can, how-
ever, cut all the parts square, and the butterflies will
be perfectly content.
Cutting the entrace slots is easily done: Simply drill
a hole at the top and bottom of the slot locations and
cut out the material between the holes. You also can
attach a 2" to 3"-long dowel at the bottom of each
entrance opening. The butterflies will land on these
and walk into the house. The perch rail inside the
house gives the butterflies a place to cling and rest.
To attract the butterflies, paint the house with
bright colors and place it in a flower bed or mount it
on a post 2' to 3' off the ground.
Be sure to read “The Butterfly Environment” in “At-
tracting Birds, Butterflies and Bats to Your Backyard”
for more information about butterflies and butterfly
houses.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 2 front/back 4 (19) 7 (178) 30 (762)
3⁄
B 2 sides 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 281⁄ 4 (718)
3⁄
C 2 tops 4 (19) 7 (178) 7 (178)
3⁄
D 1 perch rail 4 (19) 2 (51) 23 (584)
3⁄
E 1 bottom 4 (19) 53⁄ 8 (137) 53⁄ 8 (137)
70656 I pgs 018 to39 7/28/04 1:57 AM Page 39
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)
Perch rail D < 4>

Even though the sides have a
slight angle, the roof will fit tight-
ly to the box. Paint the outside of
30"
28 1 /4" the box to seal and protect the
Side B (2) plywood.
Bottom E
7"
39
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 40
CALIFORNIA TOWHEE web platform

<j i m stack>
This nesting platform is about

as simple as it gets. The
towhee will build its nest on
this spiderweb platform and
have a good view of the sur-
rounding area. This project
took only 10 minutes to build
and required one 48" stick of
redwood.
To finish, I applied a coat of
linseed oil. Mount the platform
4' to 12' high on a post or,
even better, the side of a barn
or other building.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 3⁄
A 3 top fingers 4 (19) 4 (19) 9 (229)
3⁄ 3⁄
B 2 cross fingers 4 (19) 4 (19) 3 (76)
C 1 mounting stick 3⁄ 4 (19) 3⁄
4 (19) 9 (229)
3⁄ 3⁄
D 1 brace 4 (19) 4 (19) 33⁄ 4 (95)
Mounting stick C
Top finger A (3)
Cross finger B (2)
Brace D
40
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 41
CALIFORNIA TOWHEE < 1>

The California towhee is easily Cut a 15° angle on
overlooked because it often for- both sides of the
ages quietly among chaparral center top finger. Cut
bushes or garden cover. This the same angle on
rather large (at 8" to 10"), drab- only one side of the
brown bird resides in back- other two top fin-
country habitats and oak wood- gers. Use a sacrificial
lands of California and Oregon. fence attached to the
California towhees eat mainly miter saw. (The fence
safely supports the
seeds and insects. Year-round res-
narrow end of the
idents of California and Oregon,
finger.)
these birds make small migra-
tions uphill after breeding, from
chaparral bushes into the lower
mountains of California. They
also move downslope during < 2>
severe winter weather. Glue and staple the
The Inyo California towhee, a top fingers together.
subspecies, is on the U.S. Endan- Cut a 30° miter on
the ends of the cross
gered Species List. This bird lives
fingers. Then glue
in riverside habitats only in the
and staple the cross
Argus Mountains of Inyo fingers in place. The
County. Habitat destruction length of the cross
caused by water diversion prac- fingers isn’t critical
tices, development and agricul- because the cross fin-
ture is the biggest threat to its gers simply stabilize
survival. The population now the top fingers.
consists of approximately 200
birds. Because its numbers are so
small, it is vulnerable to any at-
tack on its ecosystem.
< 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.
41
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 42
EASTERN BLUEBIRD
houses
<a l parrish>
These birdhouses are basic designs

made from rough-sawn cedar. Be-
cause cedar weathers well, no finish
is needed. A tapered cedar shake
shingle was used for the roof on one
of the houses.
Both projects take about 30 min-
utes to build, so it’s possible to make
two or three in about an hour.
Place bluebird houses 4' to 6' off
the ground on a fence post or pole
in an open area.
Back D
Roof part E
Use a cedar shingle

Top E for the top. Roof part F
Drill a 11/2"- diameter Drill a 11/2"-

hole 8 1/4" from diamter hole 5"
bottom of house. Back C on center from
Side A the bottom.
(2)
Bottom D
Front A Side B (2)
Saw kerfs provide
footholds for the
baby birds as they
start climbing out 7 1/4"
of the house. Front B Bottom C
3/4"
inches (millimeters) inches (millimeters)

REFERENCE
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
QUANTITY
LENGTH
LENGTH
WIDTH
WIDTH
PART
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 1⁄ 3⁄ 1⁄ 3⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 14 (356) A 1 front 4 (19) 4 2 (114) 7 4 (197)
3⁄ 3⁄
B 1 front 4 (19) 5 (127) 11 (279) B 2 sides 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 53⁄ 4 (146)
3⁄
C 1 back 4 (19) 61⁄ 2 (165) 131⁄ 2 (343) C 1 bottom 3⁄
4 (19) 3 (76) 41⁄ 2 (114)
3⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 5 (127) 61⁄ 2 (165) D 1 back 3⁄
4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 113⁄ 4 (298)
1⁄ 3⁄
E 1 top 2 (13) 8 (203) 10 (254) E 1 roof part 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 63⁄ 4 (171)
3⁄
F 1 roof part 4 (19) 3 (76) 63⁄ 4 (171)
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.
43
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 44
EASTERN BLUEBIRD cube <b r i a n roeth>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 2 front/back 4 (19) 10 (254) 10 (254)
3⁄
B 2 sides 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 81⁄ 2 (216)
3⁄ 1⁄
C 2 tops 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 123⁄ 4 (324)
3⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 41⁄ 2 (114)
44
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 45
This birdhouse is a basic design, and al-

though it varies from the traditional blue-
< 1>
bird house, it was built to meet the ing to the cutting list.
Cut a 45° bevel on
specifications for attracting bluebirds.
the tops’ two short
When building the box, keep in mind that edges. Then glue and
it should be able to be opened for clean- nail the two top parts
together at the miter
ing purposes. Also leave holes in the bot-
joint. Set this assem-
tom to allow water to drain and air to bly aside for the mo-
ventilate the birdhouse. ment.
The box shown was painted with a
light color to keep it cool inside. If you
want to give it a weathered look, use
< 2>
After cutting the hole
sandpaper to remove some of the paint. in the front part, glue
and nail the bottom
This birdhouse was just recently built, but
and sides to the
it looks as if it has endured a few seasons front. Flip over this
outside. assembly and glue
and nail the back in
Mount your finished cube on a fence
place.
post or pole 4' to 6' off the ground in
open areas such as fields and pastures.
< 3>
Glue and nail the top
assembly in place.
Clip the corners

off bottom for drainage.
Drill a 11/4"-diameter 7 1 /4"

hole 6 5 /8" on
center from
bottom.
"
/4
3
12
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
EASTERN BLUEBIRD log cabin <j i m stack>
Roof stick G (16) Ridge stick F
Stump stick E (2)

Side/back/front
stick D (8)
Side/back
stick C (8)
Short front Long front

stick J (4) stick H (4)
Side/back/front
stick D (8)
Side/back/front
stick C (8)
Bottom end
stick B (2) Bottom stick A (8)
46
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 47
During a stay with my family in a

cabin in the woods, I came up
< 1>
Gather the sticks that
with the idea for this house. I you need. Look for
the straightest ones
gathered some tree branches
you can find simply
that were lying on the ground because they’re easier
and took them home. After sort- to work with. Make
the base first. Lay
ing them according to size and
some sticks side by
shape, I cut them to various side. Lay two sticks
lengths and built this birdhouse. across the ends of
these and nail them
Make this cabin as large as you
together.
want. It would make a nice cabin
for any bird you choose.
Because no two branches are
alike, no two of these houses will
be the same. This one is very
basic, but it was fun to make. I
< 2>
Build the cabin walls
nailed the parts together, but you
by stacking sticks al-
can screw or glue them together ternately across one
if you prefer. another at all the
corners. Cut some
Mount this cabin on a fence
short sticks to create
post or pole 4' to 6' off the the opening. Nail
ground in an open area. each row to the one
underneath it.
< 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
roof sticks to the

LENGTH
PART
ridge stick and the

(mm) (mm)
top sticks on each
A 8 bottom sticks 1 dia. (25) 8 (203)
side of the cabin.
B 2 bottom end sticks 1 dia. (25) 8 (203)
C 8 side/back sticks 1 dia. (25) 8 (203)
D 8 side/back/front sticks 1 dia. (25) 6 (152)
E 2 stump sticks 1 dia. (25) 1 (25)
F 1 ridge stick 1 dia. (25) 8 (203)
G 16 roof sticks 1 dia. (25) 5 (127)
H 4 long front sticks 1 dia. (25) 21⁄ 2 (64)
J 4 short front sticks 1 dia. (25) 11⁄ 2 (38)
47
70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 48
EASTERN PHOEBE nesting platform

<j i m stack>
The trickiest part of this proj-

ect is the roof. The parts for
the roof have compound an-
gles. Cut them using a table
saw, band saw, crosscut hand-
saw or power miter saw. It
may take a couple of tries for
you to get the parts to fold to-
gether correctly, but be pa-
tient and have fun!
Mount this platform on a
post 8' to 12' off the ground,
near a pond or lake if possible.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 1⁄ 3⁄
A 1 bottom 4 (19) 7 2 (191) 8 4 (222)
3⁄
B 3 walls 4 (19) 33⁄ 8 (86) 6 (152)
3⁄
C 6 roof parts 4 (19) 41⁄ 4 (108) 47⁄ 8 (124)
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.
Roof parts have a 24° miter angle

and an 18.5° + /- bevel angle as cut on
a power miter saw.
Roof part C (6)

< 5> <6>
Clamp the safety jig to the top of the table saw. Join the wall parts with glue. Hold the parts
with tape, as you did when making the roof,
43/8" Cut a 45° angle on the 43/8" then add glue and fold. Check the location
outside top ends of the walls. of the wall and roof assemblies so the edge
Detail of of the roof lines up with the edge of bottom.
roof part
" 47/8" Screw the walls to the bottom, then glue and
7 /8 40° 45°
4 nail the roof assembly to the sides.
90° 24° + / -
47/8"
Wall B (3) Bottom A
83/4" 71/2" 18.5° + / -
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GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH nesting platform
This nesting platform is simple, fun and quick to

make. It takes no more than an hour to put together,
and it’s finished with a coat of linseed oil.
Attach it to the side of a barn or on a pole 10' to Mounting bracket D
Long brace B
15' high.
Fingers A (15)
Dowel E
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 3⁄
A 15 fingers 4 (19) 4 (19) 9 (229)
3⁄ 3⁄
B 1 long brace 4 (19) 4 (19) 111⁄ 4 (286)
3⁄ 3⁄
C 1 short brace 4 (19) 4 (19) 93⁄ 4 (248)
3⁄
D 1 mounting 4 (19) 5 (127) 16 (406)
bracket Eight fingers on
3⁄ Short brace C
E 1 dowel 8 dia. (10) 12 (305) this side. Seven fingers on
this side.
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<j i m stack>
GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH < 1>

The grey shrike-thrush, a com- After cutting out the
mon and familiar bird of Aus- parts, use a drill press
tralia, Tasmania and New Guinea, to drill the holes for
makes up for its lack of color in the dowel through
its rich and melodious voice. The one end of each fin-
call varies throughout its range, ger. You can make a
but typical phrases include a quick jig to hold the
whistling “whit-whit-whit,” “pur- parts so all the holes
pur-pur-kwee-yew” and a sharp will be in the same
location on all the
“yorrick.”
fingers.
At 9", they are large birds that
mainly live alone or in pairs, in-
habiting the same areas through-
out their lives. Grey shrike-
thrushes eat insects and small
reptiles, searching for food on < 2>
the ground. These birds prefer to Slide the fingers on
live in forests or woodlands in the dowel. Cut the
long brace and nail it
arid regions.
to every other finger.
Cut the short brace
and nail it to the re-
maining fingers.
< 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.
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HOUSE FINCH castle

<j i m stack>
All the projects in this book

are meant to spark your imagi-
nation and this one is no ex-
ception. Build the castle with a
drawbridge or moat if you like;
the details are up to you. Have
fun!
Mount the castle 8' to 12'
high on a pole, a fence or the
side of a tree. The illustration
shows windows and a gate,
but you can paint your castle
any way you like.
Back
tower J Center Balcony K (2)
tower G
Balcony K (2) Right tower E

Back B Left Front
tower H balcony L
Right center
tower F
Roof parts
D (2) Front/side
Front A (3)
balcony L
2" -diameter hole 41/4" on center Back B

from bottom of box Bottom C
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70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 53
< 1>
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.
inches (millimeters) < 4>

Glue and nail the
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
towers into any con-

LENGTH
WIDTH
figuration you like.

PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

This is just one of
3⁄
A 3 front/sides 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 6 (152) many possibilities.
3⁄
B 1 back 4 (19) 63⁄ 4 (171) 6 (152) Nail the balconies in
3⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
C 1 bottom 4 (19) 5 4 (133) 7 4 (184) place. Finally, glue
3⁄
D 2 roof parts 4 (19) 4 (102) 8 (203) and nail the tower as-
E 1 right tower 3⁄
4 (19) 3 (76) 121⁄ 2 (318) sembly to the back of
F 1 right center 3⁄
4 (19) 3 (76) 4 (102) the castle.
tower
3⁄
G 1 center tower 4 (19) 21⁄ 2 (64) 61⁄ 2 (165)
3⁄
H 1 left tower 4 (19) 2 (51) 3 (76)
3⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
J 1 back tower 4 (19) 2 2 (64) 7 2 (191)
K 2 balconies 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 4 (32) 31⁄ 4 (83)
L 1 front balcony 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 4 (32) 81⁄ 4 (210)
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HOUSE SPARROW residence <t i m hogan>
This house is divided into three apartments with separate entrances.

The construction is straightforward, so you can build it in about 30
minutes.
Mount the house on the side of a house, shed or barn about 10' to
20' off the ground.
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70656 I pgs 040 to 55 7/28/04 2:01 AM Page 55
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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HOUSE SPARROW log cabin <j i m stack>
Cabin roof top G (2)

Window-frame Window-frame Front log Chimney S
rail W (4) stile X (4) E (12) Gable
Front log assembly
Door V T (2)
Entrance openings F (12)
3 1
are 1 /4"-wide by 2 /4"-tall.
30° End log
Locate them four logs up A (12)
from the bottom of the cabin.
Porch base End log B (12)

log M
Porch deck Porch roof
Porch base log N log R (35) end U (2)
Porch roof J
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)
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:03 AM Page 57
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
I used brown water-based paint to finish the

cabin. I applied the paint to a section, then wiped it
off with a damp rag. The paint that stays behind
brings out the rough texture.
Mount this house on a pole approximately 10' to
20' off the ground near a house or barn.
< 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.
HOUSE SPARROW LOG CABIN continued >
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 58
< 2> < 3>

Cut the parts according to the cutting list. Using the end logs, back logs You’ll need to mark one of the cabin roof tops
and front logs, nail the first logs to the edges of the bottom. Then build for the location of a notch for the chimney. Cut
up the wall just like you would a real cabin, with the logs overlapping at the notch for the chimney and nail the roof tops
the corners. Nail each layer to the previous layer. Nail the divider in place in place on the cabin.
when the walls are at the proper height. Glue fourteen 9"-long logs side
by side to make a blank. Cut the two gable assemblies and the two porch
roof ends from this blank. Nail the gables to the cabin. Nail the chimney
to the cabin.
< 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.
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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.
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SPARROW bungalow <j i m stack>
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
Porch House 11/2"-diameter

bottom N Porch Porch hole 3" on center
front E side D (2) front C
from bottom of house
Porch House
bottom N bottom P
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 61
< 1>
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.
This birdhouse is another theme house that I

< 2>
After taping the roof
just couldn’t resist. Whether or not the birds parts together at the
miter joints, apply
actually come to live in the house is second- glue to the miters,
ary because it’s such a fun project to build. fold the roof assem-
Knowing how sparrows are, they will flock to bly and let the glue
set. One miter joint
this humble abode. folds one way and
You can put as much detail on this house one folds the other.
as you like. Paint on some windows and a Push the assembly
against a stable ob-
front door or put shingles on the roof and a ject and secure the
chimney on the side of the house. pushing board with
When you’re finished, mount this house a clamp.
on a fence post or on the side of a tree 8' to inches (millimeters)

REFERENCE
12' off the ground.

THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

1⁄
A 2 house sides 2 (13) 6 (152) 91⁄ 2 (241)
1⁄
B 1 house back 2 (13) 31⁄ 8 (79) 101⁄ 8 (257)
1⁄ 5⁄
C 1 house front 2 (13) 3 8 (92) 101⁄ 8 (257)
1⁄ 1⁄
D 2 porch sides 2 (13) 3 4 (83) 31⁄ 2 (89)
1⁄ 1⁄
E 1 porch front 2 (13) 3 4 (83) 111⁄ 8 (283)
1⁄
F 1 porch back 2 (13) 31⁄ 2 (89) 101⁄ 8 (257)
1⁄ 1⁄
G 2 dormer sides 2 (13) 1 2 (38) 33⁄ 8 (86)
1⁄ 1⁄
H 1 dormer front 2 (13) 2 4 (57) 6 (152)
1⁄
J 2 dormer roof parts 2 (13) 33⁄ 8 (86) 61⁄ 8 (156)
1⁄
K 1 porch roof 2 (13) 45⁄ 8 (117) 121⁄ 2 (318)
1⁄
L 1 front roof 2 (13) 51⁄ 4 (133) 121⁄ 2 (318)
1⁄ 3⁄
M 1 back roof 2 (13) 6 8 (162) 121⁄ 2 (318)
1⁄ 3⁄
N 1 porch bottom 2 (13) 2 4 (70) 101⁄ 8 (257)
1⁄
P 1 house bottom 2 (13) 81⁄ 2 (216) 101⁄ 8 (257)
SPARROW BUNGALOW continued >
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< 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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SPARROW nesting mailbox

<j i m stack>
This box looks complicated

but it’s actually quick and
simple to construct. The en-
trance hole is large enough for
sparrows, but you can size it
for any bird you choose.
Mount this mailbox on a
post 8' to 12' high. Be sure the
mail carrier doesn’t try to
deliver some mail!
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.
End A (2) Side C (2) Bottom B
Cut a 13 / 4 " x 2"

entrance hole
3" from the
bottom.
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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.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
A 2 ends 4 (19) 5 2 (140) 6 2 (165)
3⁄
B 1 bottom 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 101⁄ 2 (267)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 33⁄ 4 (95) 12 (305)
3⁄ 3⁄
D 15 top strips 4 (19) 4 (19) 12 (305)
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70656 I pgs 056 to 75 7/28/04 2:04 AM Page 66
HOUSE WREN
abode
You can’t go wrong with this adorable

birdhouse. Nest-building male wrens will
fill homes with twigs before settling in so
with that in mind, the house features a
horizontal slot to allow them easy access
to build their nest.
This house is made of red cedar, which
weathers wonderfully and doesn’t need to
be painted. Attach it to a tree approxi-
mately 5' to 10' off the ground.
Use nails at the top of Top D (2) 61/2"

inches (millimeters) one side to create hinge 30°
so side can be opened 1 /2"
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
5
QUANTITY
to clean the house.

LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3 /4
"
3⁄
A 2 front/back 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 8 (203)
3⁄ Cut a 2"-wide by 8"
B 2 sides 4 (19) 4 (102) 61⁄ 2 (165) 61/8" Side B (2)
1"-high hole with
C 1 bottom 3⁄
4 (19) 4 (102) 4 (102) 1/4"-radius Front/back
A (2)
D 2 tops 1⁄
2 (13) 51⁄ 2 (140) 61⁄ 2 (165) on corners.
1/4"
51/2" 4"
1/2" 1/2" 3/4" 3 / 4"
Hole is 5 3/4" on
Cut corners center from Bottom C
off bottom for bottom of
drainage. front.
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<w e n d y dunning>
HOUSE WREN < 1>

The house wren is a tiny bird, at Lay out and drill holes in the
about 4" to 5", with a short tail front part to create the radius at
and dusky brown coloring with each corner of the entrance hole.
no distinctive markings. They eat
small insects and prefer to live in
residential areas. The house wren
has one of the largest breeding
ranges of any songbird. It breeds
from Canada through the West
Indies, through Central America
< 2>
Connect the holes to create the
to the southernmost point of
large hole.
South America.
The house wren often nests in
odd places, such as flowerpots,
mailboxes and even the pockets
of a coat on a clothesline. This
little brown bird will puncture
the eggs of other species and take
over that species’ nest. The house
wren has also been known to ha-
rass more powerful birds by fill-
ing their nests with its own
nesting material.
< 3>
Using a chop saw, cut the angles
to create the peaks on the front
and back parts. You can also use a
table saw, jigsaw, band saw or
handsaw.
< 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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HAIKU wren HOUSE <j i m stack>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Top/ (mm) (mm) (mm)

bottom A (2)
3⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
A 2 top/bottom 4 (19) 11 2 (292) 11 2 (292)
3⁄ 3⁄
B 4 corner posts 4 (19) 4 (19) 6 (152)
1⁄
C 2 sides 2 (13) 6 (152) 6 (152)
Rail E (2) 1⁄
D 2 front/back 2 (13) 6 (152) 6 (152)
1⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
11 1 / 2 " 11 1 / 2 " E 2 rails 4 (6) 2 (13) 2 2 (64)
1⁄ 1⁄
Stile F (2) F 2 stiles 4 (6) 2 (13) 1 (25)
Front/ Corner
back D (2) 6" Side C (2) posts B (2)
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>
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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THREE-SIDED wren HOUSE <j i m stack>
Top A
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
The back edges

LENGTH
Top edge of back

WIDTH
and both ends

PART
of the back and back edge of

(mm) (mm) (mm) top have a
have 45° bevels.
A 1 top 3⁄
4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 14 (356) 13° bevel.
3⁄
B 1 side 4 (19) 73⁄ 4 (197) 8 (203) Back D
3⁄ 3⁄
Both sides have
C 1 side 4 (19) 8 4 (222) 8 (203) an 81/2° bevel and
D 1 back 3⁄
4 (19) 93⁄ 4 (248) 71⁄ 4 (184) 81/2° 9° a 9° miter cut
Side B on the top edges.
3⁄ 3⁄
E 1 bottom 4 (19) 5 (127) 9 4 (248)
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.
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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.
Mount this wren house 5' to

10' high on the side of a barn,
house or on top of a fence post.
< 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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ICOSAHEDRON wren HOUSE <j i m stack>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 20 sides 4 (19) 39⁄ 16 (90) 41⁄ 8 (105)
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An icosahedron is a solid figure

with 20 faces. This wren house
was a personal challenge. I
wanted to see if it was possible
to fold a multisided box in one
step. As you can see, it worked. I
know the wrens will have as
< 1> < 2>
Rip several strips of 3 ⁄ 4"-thick plywood 33 ⁄ 4" Attach a runner at a 30° angle to the bottom
much fun living in this cute wide. Then set your table saw’s miter gauge of a flat piece of scrap wood. Attach another
house as I had making it. to exactly 30°. Attach a sacrificial fence to strip of wood to act as a fence on the top
the gauge. Make a miter cut on one of the of the sled. Set the band saw table to a 22°
I chose to make the com-
strips. Flip the strip and make another cut. bevel. Attach a stop block to the sled as you
pound cuts on the edges of the Attach this fall-off piece to the miter gauge did on the table saw. Cut a 22° bevel on all
sides in two steps. If you want, fence for a stop block. Flip the strip again, three edges of the side parts. Make this cut
push it against the stop block and make the so it slightly cuts into the sharp top of the
you can make a single com-
cut. This is your first side part. Make 19 edge. You may need to slightly move the
pound cut. more. I removed the blade guard in the part away from the stop block when you
Mounted on a pole in the photo for clarity. make the second and third cuts.
middle of the backyard, or
hanging from a branch 5' to 10'
off the ground, this unique con-
versation piece will spark
human (and bird) curiosity.
< 4>
This is what the house looks like when it’s
folded and taped and the last side has been
installed.
Cut miters at 30°.

Then cut bevels at 22°.
60° typ.
Drill a 1"-diameter
entrance hole in <
the center of
3 >
on side. Lay out the side parts in the pattern shown
in the photo — but face up — and tape the
miters. Then flip this assembly on its face.
Apply glue to the miters and fold it all to-
gether. When you fold the assembly, you’ll
need to tape the miters that you couldn’t
tape while the assembly was flat on the table.
<5>
After the glue sets, drill a 1"-diameter hole in
You’ll notice that there are only 19 sides in one of the sides. Fill the miter joints with
the photo. It’s likely the final side will need spackling or wood putty, if necessary. Sand
some adjustment to fit. I’m proud to say that all the faces and joints smooth and apply the
I made three of these and all the sides fit finish of your choice. When the house needs
perfectly each time! cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner.
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JAPANESE WHITE-EYE pagoda <j i m stack>
Here’s another project that requires roof

parts that have compound miters. Such
miters aren’t difficult to cut, but I caution
you to be careful. I used a compound
miter saw to do the job. It’s an accurate
and quick way to cut compound miters.
The tower is made from one piece of
wood. Make the long angled cuts using a
band saw or jigsaw. Then smooth the cuts
with a sander or block plane. To create the
point of the tower, make the top miter
cuts using a miter saw or sander. Attach
the tower base to the tower with nails.
Glue the roof parts to the square tower
base. Screw the entire roof assembly to
the nesting platform.
To finish, I painted the whole pagoda
white and then used metallic acrylic paint
This is a simple box to make in less than
in different colors to accent it.
an hour. The scroll work attached to the
Mount the platform on the side of a
roof makes this a decorative backyard ob-
treeFPO
amongst the branches, approximate-
ject. It can be mounted on the side of a
new art
ly 6' to 10'to
high.
tree. The front is attached with screws so
come
it can
xxx%be removed and the house cleaned.
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
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 1 bottom 4 (19) 8 (203) 8 (203)
Back C B 2 side rails 3⁄
4 (19) 21⁄ 2 (64) 83⁄ 4 (222)
Back C
3⁄
C 1 back 4 (19) 8 (203) 8 (203)
3⁄
Side rail D 4 tops 4 (19) 9 (229) 14 (356)
B (2) Bottom A E 1 tower base 3⁄
4 (19) 2 (51) 2 (51)
Side rail
B (2) F 1 tower body 2 (51) 2 (51) 6 (152)
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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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MOURNING DOVE nesting box <j i m stack>
Doves usually nest in the

open. This box is open enough
so the doves won’t feel
cramped, but at the same
time, it protects them from the
elements. If you prefer, you can
cut openings in both the front
and back.
Mount this box 10' to 20'
high under an eave or by a
windowsill so you can observe
the birds as they nest.
Side B
Roof part (2)
C (2)
Roof part
C (2)
Front/back A (2) inches (millimeters)

REFERENCE
21 1 /2°
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 1⁄
A 2 front/back 4 (19) 7 8 (181) 12 (305)
3⁄
Side B B 2 sides 4 (19) 53⁄ 8 (137) 71⁄ 4 (184)
(2) C 2 roof parts 3⁄
4 (19) 83⁄ 4 (222) 83⁄ 4 (222)
3⁄ 1⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 12 (305)
Entrance is 4" x 5".

Bottom D
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70656 I pgs 076 to 95 7/28/04 2:08 AM Page 77
MOURNING DOVE < 1>

The mourning dove is named Cut the parts according to the
for its low, mournful call cutting list. Lay out the cutout on
(coo-ah, coo, coo, coo). Both the front. Set the band saw’s
male and female doves are fence, hold the end of the front
about 12" long with gray- against the fence and make the
brown backs and black spots first cut. Flip the part over, hold
on their wings. the other end against the fence
The mourning dove diet and make the second cut.
consists exclusively of seeds,
which they eat on the ground
in pairs or flocks. They prefer
to live in a variety of habitats,
including agricultural areas,
open woods, deserts, cities and
< 2>
Reset the band saw’s fence and
suburbs. The mourning dove
make the last cut to complete
is the most widespread and
the opening. By registering the
plentiful game bird in North
bottom of the front against the
America. Despite being hunt- fence, the cutout will be straight
ed throughout most of its and square.
range, it remains among the
ten most abundant birds in
the United States.
my mourning dove family

A dove once nested on a window-
sill at my house. We didn’t notice
her until one of our cats jumped
up to the window and began
pawing at the curtains. I finally
opened them and saw a female
dove who had made a nest and
was sitting on three eggs. She be-
came very excited and started
pecking on the window when she
saw my cat and me.
It was fun to watch the eggs
hatch. The young doves were fed
often and we could see into their
open mouths when it was feeding
time. One by one, the youngsters
flew away and the nest was
empty.
< 3>
Nail the front/back parts to the
bottom, then nail the sides to
the ends of the bottom and
front/back assembly. Finally, nail
the roof parts in place.
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NORTHERN CARDINAL platform <c h r i s t i n e pol0msky>
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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NORTHERN CARDINAL < 1>

The Northern cardinal, or red Cut the parts accord-
cardinal, was named after the ing to the cutting list.
red robes worn by Roman Nail the back to the
Catholic cardinals. Males have bottom.
bright red bodies, legs, feet,
bills and crests and black
faces. Females are brown
tinged with red on their crests,
wings and tails. The Northern
cardinal is considered medi-
um-size at approximately 8".
During winter months, car-
dinals make the rounds at
feeders, eating mainly seeds.
They eat fruit, buds and in-
sects during the spring breed-
ing season. The Northern < 2>
cardinal lives in thickets, Nail the sides to the
brushy areas, swamps and res- bottom and back.
Then nail the front
idential neighborhoods. It is a
the sides and bottom.
year-round resident through-
out the United States and
southern Canada.
While most birds sing only
in the spring, cardinals are im-
pressive songbirds that sing
year-round. Females counter-
sing with males; they will duet
after the males have estab-
lished territories and before
nesting begins.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
Side C (2) (mm) (mm) (mm)

Back A A 1 back 3⁄
4 (19) 6 (152) 11 (279)
3⁄
B 1 bottom 4 (19) 6 (152) 11 (279)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 2 (51) 53⁄ 4 (146)
3⁄
D 1 front 4 (19) 2 (51) 11 (279)
Bottom B
Front D
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NORTHERN
FLICKER box
<m e g cannon>
Northern flickers build their nests in the

trunks of dead trees, so pack this house
with sawdust to simulate the rotten pulp
flickers are accustomed to excavating. The
population of Northern flickers has de-
clined over the past 20 years, in part due
to the removal of dead and dying trees
for the purpose of land development.
Adding one of these houses to your prop-
erty provides shelter to a colorful bird
who will earn its keep by eating your
backyard ant population.
Mount this box 6' to 20' off the ground
on the side of a tree.
Side pivots
Top A on nails.
12 1/2"
3 5/8" radius on top and back parts.
7 1/4" Use two nails as pivots

for the side.
Top A 5"
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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70656 I pgs 076 to 95 7/28/04 2:08 AM Page 81
< 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.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
71⁄ 4 121⁄ 2 (318)
A
B
1
1
top
bottom 3⁄
4
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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PROTHONOTARY WARBLER privy <a m y hattersley>
Modeled after the outhouses

you see in Westerns, this house
is made out of Baltic birch ply-
wood and has a removable
door for easy cleaning.
Not only was the construc-
tion of this privy easy, the dec-
oration was even easier! I
painted a simple crescent
moon on the front, and to
maintain the look of the wood,
I sealed the entire house with
linseed oil.
Mount the privy 4' to 8'
high on the side of a tree near
water, if possible.
Top/bottom A (2)
15° 2"-diameter entrance hole

61/2" on center from bottom
of front panel
Back C
Top/bottom A (2)
Front D
Side B (2)
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< 1>
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.
< 4>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
Use screws to attach

LENGTH
WIDTH
the front so that you

PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

can remove it for
1⁄
A 2 top/bottom 2 (13) 71⁄ 4 (184) 71⁄ 4 (184) cleaning.
1⁄
B 2 sides 2 (13) 5 (127) 8 (203)
1⁄
C 1 back 2 (13) 5 (127) 7 (178)
1⁄
D 1 front 2 (13) 5 (127) 83⁄ 8 (213)
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PURPLE MARTIN condo <j i m stack>
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)
inches (millimeters) 5° Platform C (8)

Front/back A (8) Side B
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
(8)
QUANTITY
LENGTH
Drill the
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

2"-diameter
entrance holes Deck D (8)
3⁄
A 8 front/back 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 131⁄ 2 (343) 2" on center
B 8 sides 3⁄
4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 15 (381) above the
3⁄
platforms. Bracket
C 8 platforms 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 53⁄ 4 (146) top plate K
D 8 decks 3⁄
4 (19) 13⁄ 4 (45) 51⁄ 2 (140)
Gusset F (4)
3⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄ Support bracket
E 4 roof parts 4 (19) 13 4 (337) 26 2 (673) Support bracket side H (2)
F 4 gussets 3⁄
4 (19) 6 (152) 6 (152) front/back G (2)
G 2 support bracket front/back 3⁄
4 (19) 5 (127) 12 (305) Bracket
3⁄ cleats J (2)
H 2 support bracket sides 4 (19) 31⁄ 2 (90) 12 (305)
3⁄
J 2 bracket cleats 4 (19) 33⁄ 4 (95) 12 (305)
3⁄
K 1 bracket top plate 4 (19) 71⁄ 8 (181) 71⁄ 8 (181) 4x4 mounting
3⁄
L 1 joining plate 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 71⁄ 4 (184) post
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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.
< 5> < 6>

Screw the gussets in place. These hold the The top parts are cut with compound bevels
boxes firmly together. so the roof has a slope for drainage of rain
and snow. Join the roof parts with poly-
urethane glue. Install screws at the corners to
add strength to the roof. Screw the roof to
the house assembly.
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70656 I pgs 076 to 95 7/28/04 2:09 AM Page 86
modern MARTIN house <b r i a n schroeder>
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 6 (152) 6 (152)
3⁄
Roof D 9" B 2 front/back 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 6 (152)
3⁄
C 1 bottom 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 41⁄ 2 (114)
15° bevel on all D 1 roof 3⁄
4 (19) 9 (229) 14 (356)
roof and perch 3⁄ 3⁄
ledge edges E 2 perch ledges 4 (19) 1 (25) 5 4 (146)
14"
6" 6"
3/4"
1 1 / 2 " on Side A (2)

three sides 6"
Front/back
3/4"
B (2)
Perch ledge
E (2)
Bottom C
2 1 / 4 "- diameter
hole 3 1 / 2 " on center
from bottom
of house
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70656 I pgs 076 to 95 7/28/04 2:09 AM Page 87
< 1>
Cut the hole in the
front.
This project takes 30 minutes or

less to make. The design relies on
< 2>
This house is a basic
simplicity to make a statement. box. First, using
nails, attach the sides
The bevels on the edges of the
to the front and
roof and the beveled ledge ap- back. Remember to
plied to two sides of the box attach the left side
with one nail in the
make it unique.
front and one in the
Because martins are commu- back so you can open
nal by nature, you’ll want to make it to clean the box
(see inset). Then at-
four or more of these houses. At-
tach the bottom
tach them together and mount with nails. Note the
them on posts 6' to 20' high. clipped corners on
the bottom for
drainage.
< 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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PURPLE MARTIN row houses <j i m stack>
inches (millimeters) Roof part H (6)

REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm) Side E (2)

3⁄
A 2 front/back 4 (19) 6 (152) 10 (254)
3⁄
B 2 front/back 4 (19) 6 (152) 8 (203)
3⁄
C 2 front/back 4 (19) 6 (152) 6 (152) Side
Front/back Front/back
D 2 sides 3⁄
4 (19) 6 (152) 83⁄ 4 (222) A (2) D (2)
B (2)
E 2 sides 3⁄
4 (19) 6 (152) 63⁄ 4 (171) Front/back
C (2)
3⁄
F 2 sides 4 (19) 6 (152) 43⁄ 4 (121)
3⁄
G 3 bottoms 4 (19) 6 (152) 6 (152)
3⁄
H 6 roof parts 4 (19) 31⁄ 2 (89) 7 (178)
3⁄
J 1 base 4 (19) 9 (229) 20 (508)
2"-diameter entrance hole Bottom G (3)

21/2" on center from the Side F (2)
bottom of the front Base J
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This project reminds me of

row houses I saw in Trenton,
< 1>
Cut out the parts
New Jersey, years ago. They according to the cut-
ting list and nail the
made up neighborhoods that
front and back to the
had a great community feel, bottom.
and I think this project reflects
that. Martins will love this
arrangement.
Mount this project on a 6' to
20' high pole in an open area.
If a pond or lake is nearby,
that’s even better.
< 2>
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>
Martins will like this high-rise

building. It’s easy and quick to
make, so you should make a
small city of these buildings,
varying the heights for diversity.
As with all martin houses,
mount this high-rise 6' to 20' off
the ground in an open backyard
or field.
Drill a 11/2"-diameter
hole 4" on center
from the bottom Peak K
of each box.
Front/back Side C (2)

D (2) Bottom/top
G (2)
Front/back Bottom/top
E (2) Side B (2)
H (2)
Front/back Bottom/top Side A (2)

F (2) J (2)
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< 1>
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.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 7 (178)
3⁄
B 2 sides 4 (19) 41⁄ 2 (114) 7 (178)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 31⁄ 2 (89) 7 (178)
3⁄
D 2 front/back 4 (19) 7 (178) 7 (178)
3⁄
E 2 front/back 4 (19) 6 (152) 7 (178)
3⁄
F 2 front/back 4 (19) 5 (127) 7 (178)
3⁄
G 2 bottom/top 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 51⁄ 2 (140)
3⁄
41⁄ 2 41⁄ 2
H
J
2
2
bottom/top
bottom/top 3⁄
4
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>
This idea comes from being a plumber’s daughter! All

my life I’ve watched my dad find interesting uses for
unused pipe, including desktop legs and a dog cage.
With this project, I have adopted his eccentricity. I
plucked a piece of PVC pipe from the back of his
truck and went to work.
To complete my pipe house, I used water-based
outdoor white and brown paint. I chose light colors
that will reflect the heat since pygmy nuthatches live
in warm climates.
Place this house 5' to 10' off the ground in an area
surrounded by pine trees.
Top C (2)
Top B (2)
Top A
6" PVC pipe
1"-diamter Shelf C (2)

hole
31 /2" on
REFERENCE
center
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
typ.
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

Bottom B (2)
3⁄
A 1 top 4 (19) 11 (279) 11 (279)
3⁄
B 2 top/bottom 4 (19) 8 (203) 8 (203)
3⁄
C 2 top/shelf 4 (19) 6 (152) 6 (152)
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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.
< 5> < 6> < 7>

Measure and draw a centerline around the pipe Drill two entrance holes, one on each side of Join the three top pieces together with glue and
where the shelf will go. The birdhouse will the shelf. I used a drill press to drill the holes. nails. Attach the bottom and top pieces to the
have two entrances divided by the shelf. Attach pipe with polyurethane glue. Let sit overnight.
the shelf with four galvanized drywall screws.
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RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH house <t i m hogan>
This birdhouse is made from redwood,

which weathers to a silver color. Attach it
to the side of a tree, set it on a platform or
on the top of a post 5' to 15' high. Be-
cause this is a small project, you could
make several from one board.
Clip four corners

Bottom D off bottom for drainage.
45° Top E (2)
6"
11/4"-diameter
2"
hole 61/4" on
1/
center from
bottom of
front
Front/
back B (2)
4"
1" 1"
8"
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

Side C (2)
A 4 legs 1 (25) 1 (25) 81⁄ 2 (216) Leg A (4)
3⁄
B 2 front/back 4 (19) 4 (102) 91⁄ 2 (241)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 4 (102) 85⁄ 8 (219)
3⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 4 (102) 4 (102)
1⁄
E 2 tops 2 (13) 6 (152) 8 (203)
4"
1" 1"
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70656 I pgs 076 to 95 7/28/04 2:09 AM Page 95
< 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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RED-HEADED WOODPECKER saltbox

<j i m stack>
This project is a variation on

the saltbox-style house. The
roof isn’t symmetrical, a design
element that gives the house
a distinctive look. Mount the
house 10' to 20' high in a
tree and stuff it with sawdust.
Woodpeckers love to excavate
and the sawdust simulates a
dead tree.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 1 top 4 (19) 7 (178) 11 (279)
3⁄
B 1 top 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 11 (279)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 18 (457)
3⁄ 1⁄ 3⁄
D 1 front 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 16 16 (411)
3⁄
E 1 back 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 165⁄ 16 (414)
3⁄
F 1 bottom 4 (19) 53⁄ 4 (146) 71⁄ 4 (184)
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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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70656 I pgs 096 to 111 7/28/04 2:14 AM Page 98
REDWING treehouse <a m y hattersley>
This house was so easy to build, it was finished in about 20 minutes! The de-
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
Top A < 3>

front, back and bot-
tom assembly. Fi-
nally, nail the top to
the house.
16"
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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ROSELLA nesting box

<m e g cannon>
Rosellas are among a growing number

of Australian birds whose habitats are
threatened by agricultural clearing and
logging. But before you play host to a
family of these colorful parrots in your
garden, you must prevent mynas and
other nonnative birds from taking over
their intended homes — or driving them
away. The antimyna guard on this bird-
house allows rosellas to come and go as
they wish; the covered entry prevents
mynas from getting inside or harassing
the residents.
Mount the box 17' to 20' high on a
pole or tree where it will be in the shade
most of the time.
Galvanized hinge K (2)
Top E
Drop
front F
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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70656 I pgs 096 to 111 7/28/04 2:14 AM Page 101
< 1>
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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TREECREEPER box <m e g cannon>
Treecreepers build their nests in tight

spaces, so this triangle-shaped house is a
perfect fit. Linseed oil rubbed on the out-
side of the house (never the inside) is a
natural method of weatherproofing.
Attach this house to the trunk of a tree
8' to 15' off the ground rather than a
branch. These birds spend most of their
time searching for insects in the trunks of
trees, so they’re more likely to nest in a
house close to their food source.
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
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
Pivot nail 1/4" gap

for front at bottom
door for drainage
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TUFTED TITMOUSE a-frame chalet

<a m y hattersley>
You can easily make this tradi-

tional A-frame house in an
hour. The only tricky part is
lining up the awkward trian-
gular and rectangular pieces.
If you need to, have someone
help you hold them in place
while you nail.
Have fun decorating this
chalet! Paint it any way you
want to. I chose to paint on a
snow effect because this type
of house reminds me of
Switzerland, snow and skiing!
My overall goal was to make it
look cozy and inviting, so I
chose warm colors.
Attach the house to a tree 5'
to 15' off the ground at the
edge of a forest, if possible.
FPO
new art to
come
xxx%
Ridge pole D
Side A (2) 1"

8"
11/2"
inches (millimeters) Front/back

C (2)
Drill a 2"-diameter
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
entrance hole Side A

LENGTH
WIDTH
6" on center 17"

PART
from bottom 15 3 / 4 " (2)

(mm) (mm) (mm) of house.
1⁄
A 2 sides 2 (13) 8 (203) 17 (432)
1⁄
B 1 bottom 2 (13) 63⁄ 4 (171) 97⁄ 8 (251)
1⁄ 1⁄
C 2 front/back 2 (13) 9 2 (241) 153⁄ 4 (400)
D 1 ridge pole 1 (25) 11⁄ 2 (38) 8 (203) Front/back C (2) 97/8"
Bottom B
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70656 I pgs 096 to 111 7/28/04 2:14 AM Page 105
< 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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VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW dowel log house
This version of the log cabin uses neat, symmetrical dowels for logs.
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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70656 I pgs 096 to 111 7/28/04 2:14 AM Page 107
<j i m stack>
< 1>
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.
Roof part H (2)
Bottom J Bevel angle 17 1 /2°
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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WOOD DUCK box

<j i m stack>
This house is made with

shorter sides that result in
small open windows so the
ducks have a view and can
keep an eye out for predators.
Mount the house 10' to 20'
high on the top of a post by
the edge of a lake or pond.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 2 roof parts 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 12 (305)
3⁄
B 2 front/back 4 (19) 8 (203) 161⁄ 2 (419)
3⁄
C 2 sides 4 (19) 10 (254) 13 (330)
3⁄
D 1 bottom 4 (19) 61⁄ 2 (165) 10 (254)
1⁄
E 4 dowels 4 dia. (6) 2 (51)
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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)
Dowel E (4) Bottom D
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YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER victorian house
This birdhouse is a simple box

you can make in less than an
hour. The scrollwork attached
to the roof is a decorative
touch that has big impact.
Mount the house on the
side of a tree 10' to 20' off the
ground. The front is attached
with screws for easy removal
when it’s time to clean the
house.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄ 3⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 5 4 (146) 14 (356)
3⁄
B 1 front 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 14 (356)
3⁄
C 1 back 4 (19) 71⁄ 4 (184) 175⁄ 8 (448)
3⁄
D 2 roof parts 4 (19) 63⁄ 4 (171) 81⁄ 2 (216)
3⁄ 1⁄
E 1 bottom 4 (19) 7 4 (184) 8 (203)
3⁄
F 1 front gable 4 (19) 35⁄ 8 (92) 71⁄ 4 (184)
3⁄
G 2 scroll trim 8 (10) 1 (25) 61⁄ 4 (159)
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<j i m stack>
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER < 1>

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers get their Cut out the parts ac-
name from their habit of boring cording to the cut-
holes in the inner bark of trees ting list. Make the
and letting the sap ooze out and radius entrance using
down the tree. They then eat the a 2"-diameter Forst-
sap with their brushlike tongues. ner drill bit and drill
This medium-size woodpecker press. Clamp the
has a mottled off-white and black front gable to the
body and has a red crown and drill press table when
performing this task.
yellowish underparts. Along with
Using this method,
sap, yellow-bellied sapsuckers eat
make the scroll saw
fruit and anthropods attracted to trim with a 1"-diam-
the sap. These birds prefer to live eter drill bit.
in deciduous or mixed forests
and upon migration will visit
parks, yards and gardens. The < 2>
yellow-bellied sapsucker is the Nail the sides to the
only woodpecker in the eastern back. Then nail the
United States that is truly migra- roof in place and nail
tory. They spend the summer the front gable to the
across Alaska and Canada and roof. Finally, nail the
bottom in place.
winter in southeastern United
States, Mexico and the tropics.
< 3>
Attach the front with
galvanized screws.
Nail the scrollwork
under the front edge
of the roof.
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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A-frame feeder <j i m stack>
This sturdy feeder

allows small to
medium-size birds
to feed under a
cover. Hang it on a
tree branch or pole
and the feed will
be protected from
rain and gentle
snowfall.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 16 (406) 18 (457)
3⁄
B 1 bottom 4 (19) 18 (457) 18 (457)
3⁄ 1⁄
C 2 gussets 4 (19) 4 (102) 4 2 (114)
D 1 ridge pole 11⁄ 2 (38) 3 (76) 18 (457)
3⁄
E 2 ends 4 (19) 11⁄ 2 (38) 15 (381)
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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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birdbath guy <j i m stack>
I had a blast making this project because

it really allowed my imagination to flow.
The guy holds a dish that functions either
as a feeder or birdbath. He’s on the move
(at least, I tried make him look like he was
walking), making offerings to all takers.
The guy is assembled using pocket
holes and screws. The whole project takes
about 3 to 4 hours to complete.
To install the guy in your backyard,
loop U-shaped pieces of wire over his
feet. Push the wire into the ground to an-
chor him.
Hat top A
Hat bill B
Head C
Neck D
Bowl is a 11/2" x 14" x 18" ellipse.
Upper
arm
F (2)
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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< 2> < 3>

This photo shows the locations of some of Making the dish is fun. Cut the six dish parts
the pocket holes. Keep the holes to the bot- and lay them edge to edge on a flat surface. Take
toms of the joints so water won’t collect in one of the center parts, draw a radius on its
them. If you had to clamp these joint this edge and cut along this line using a band saw.
project wouldn’t be any fun to make, but Put the part back into the layout and use it as a
using the pocket holes and screws makes template to trace its radius on the other center
it easy. part. Cut this part the same way you cut the first
one and put it back in the layout. Trace this ra-
dius to the next two outer parts.
< 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.
Each square represents 1/2".
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BOBOLINK feeder <p a t r i c k crawford>
This feeder protects

the birdseed from
the elements. The
birds can perch on
the front edges of
the feeder or enter it
through one of the
side openings to sit
and eat.
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm) End C (2) Top D

3⁄ 1⁄
A 2 sides 4 (19) 8 (203) 9 8 (232)
3⁄
B 1 bottom 4 (19) 5 (127) 111⁄ 2 (292)
3⁄
C 2 bottom/back 4 (19) 45⁄ 8 (118) 111⁄ 2 (292)
5"
1⁄ 1⁄
D 1 top 2 (13) 10 2 (267) 15 (381)
5 3 /4"
30° bevel
typ.
Back C
Bottom C
Bottom B
60° typ.
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< 1>
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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chute feeder <j i m stack>
This feeder holds a

lot of food but you
can make it even
taller to hold even
more food, if you
like. Mount it under
an eave or on a
covered porch to
protect it from the
elements.
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< 1> < 2>

Cut the parts according to the cutting list. Set the chute Nail the side strips to the front and back strips. Then nail this assembly to the bottom.
parts on their tops to align them and nail the sides to Finally, screw the chute assembly to the bottom assembly. The chute assembly fits
the front. Then nail the back to this assembly. between the two back strips. Finish with two coats of boiled linseed oil.
Cut a 15° bevel on thetop edge

Lid H of the chute back and the
back edge of the lid. Cut a
15° miter on the tops of
Butt hinge J (2) the chute sides.
Chute side E (2)
Chute Chute front F

back G
Back strip inches (millimeters)

D (2)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 1 bottom 4 (19) 10 (254) 10 (254)
3⁄
B 2 side strips 4 (19) 13⁄ 8 (35) 81⁄ 2 (216)
3⁄ 3⁄
Bottom A C 1 front strip 4 (19) 1 8 (35) 10 (254)
Side strip 3⁄
B (2) D 2 back strips 4 (19) 13⁄ 8 (35) 21⁄ 4 (57)
3⁄
E 2 chute sides 4 (19) 11⁄ 2 (38) 9 (229)
3⁄ 1⁄ 5⁄
F 1 chute front 4 (19) 5 2 (140) 8 8 (219)
3⁄
G 1 chute back 4 (19) 51⁄ 2 (140) 11 (279)
3⁄
H 1 lid 4 (19) 5 (127) 51⁄ 2 (140)
Front strip C
1⁄
2 galvanized 4 (13) 11⁄ 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38)
butt hinges
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“squirrel-proof” feeder <j i m stack>
This project design is an at-

tempt to discourage squirrels
from raiding the feeder. We all
know that it probably won’t
work, but it’s worth a try, plus
it’s fun to watch the animals
feed. The interesting part of
this construction comes in
steps 2 and 3 when you have
to cut the lip ring for the base
of the feeder. I’ve used the
same slick trick many times to
cut out circular mirror frames.
Top A
Pole D
Lip ring C
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm)

3⁄
A 1 top 4 (19) 24 dia.(610)
B 1 bottom 3⁄
4 (19) 15 dia.(381)
Bottom B
3⁄ 3⁄
C 1 lip ring 4 (19) 4 (19) 14 dia.(356)
1⁄
D 1 pole 1 2 (38) 11⁄ 2 (38) 24 (610)
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< 1> < 2>

The band saw is the best tool for cutting out the parts for this project. To make the lip ring, cut another blank one 1" smaller in diameter than
Drill a center hole in the bottom of the blank. Insert the guide pin of the bottom. Then cut a blade-feeder slot 3 ⁄ 4" in from the edge of the
the jig into the hole. Start the cut flush to one flat side of the blank. blank. Drill a centering hole as before and feed the band saw blade in the
Feed the wood through the cut. Cut the top and bottom parts using feeder slot. Drop the blank on the jig’s centering pin and make the cut.
this method.
< 3> < 4>

The lip ring will be a perfect circle easily removed from the saw by Put waterproof glue on the ends of the ring and nail it to the bottom
spreading the ends of the ring. plate. The ring will keep the feed from falling off the bottom. The nail set
in the photo points to the joint of the blade-feeder slot, showing that it
closes up nicely. Chamfer the edges of the pole and attach the pole to the
center of the top and bottom using 3" screws.
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sunflower seed pipe feeder <a m y hattersley>
Almost any bird you can think

of prefers to eat sunflower
seeds — black oil sunflower
seeds, to be exact. To avoid the
mess of sunflower hulls all
over your yard, you can buy
hulled sunflower seeds, which
contain only the hearts of the
sunflower.
For this project, I took a
piece of leftover PVC pipe from
the back of my dad’s plumbing
truck and attached a simple
platform bottom and a hinged
top to deter squirrels. The real
fun came when I painted the
feeder. My goal was to camou-
flage it so it would blend in
with the trees in my backyard.
First, I painted it dark brown all
over and let it dry. Then, using
a smaller brush and acrylic
paint, I applied streaks in light
green and yellow. I allowed it
to dry before applying a
stamped effect with a few
leaves from my backyard. I
chose a darker green paint
and stamped the painted
leaves all over the feeder. For
the final touch, I sprayed on a
coat of lacquer gloss finish to
ready the acrylic paint for the
outdoors.
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< 2>
Cut the sides for the
bottom piece.
< 1> < 3>

Cut the base at a 15° angle.
Use a staple gun to
assemble the feeder
bottom. Then cut a
inches (millimeters) 15° angle on the top
REFERENCE
of the PVC pipe

THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
using a crosscut
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm) handsaw. Smooth the

A 1 base 3⁄
4 (19) 12 (305) 15 (381) cut with sandpaper.
3⁄
B 2 long sides 4 (19) 2 (51) 151⁄ 2 (394)
3⁄
C 1 front side 4 (19) 2 (51) 123⁄ 4 (324)
3⁄
D 1 back side 4 (19) 2 (51) 51⁄ 2 (140)
E 1 PVC pipe 3 dia. (76) 24 (610)
3⁄
F 1 lid 4 (19) 5 (127) 7 (178)
3⁄ 1⁄
G 1 hinge bracket 4 (19) 2 (51) 3 2 (89)
H 2 butt hinges 1 (25)
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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70656 I pgs 112 to 125 7/28/04 2:17 AM Page 124
water & feeder <j i m stack>
This feeder and water tray

combination will attract lots
of birds who will thank you on
hot summer days! Whether
the birds just drink or take
baths in the tray is question-
able, but it will be entertaining
either way.
Put this project where you
can watch the birds eat, drink
and socialize.
Top A
Side rail D (2)
REFERENCE
THICKNESS
QUANTITY
LENGTH
WIDTH
PART
(mm) (mm) (mm) Side rail E (2)

1⁄
A 1 top 2 (13) 111⁄ 4 (286) 111⁄ 4 (286)
1⁄
B 1 bottom 2 (13) 16 (406) 16 (406)
3⁄ 3⁄
C 4 legs 4 (19) 4 (19) 12 (305)
1⁄
D 2 side rails 2 (13) 11⁄ 4 (32) 16 (406)
1⁄
E 2 side rails 2 (13) 11⁄ 4 (32) 15 (381)
Cut a 5° bevel
F 1 baking dish 9 dia. (229)
on both ends
of each leg.
Leg C (4)
Bottom B
124
70656 I pgs 112 to 125 7/28/04 2:17 AM Page 125
< 1> < 2>

Cut parts according to the cutting list. Drill a starter hole Cut a 5° miter on both ends of each leg. Screw
and make the cutout for the water dish. the legs to the top.
< 3> < 4>

Nail the side rails to the bottom. Set the top/leg assembly inside the Flip the top/leg assembly upside down on your bench. Turn the bottom
bottom assembly and mark where the legs sit on the bottom. Then assembly upside down and use the locater holes to line up the legs on
drill locater holes from the top of the bottom through the bottom. the bottom. Then screw the bottom to the legs through these holes.
Finish with two coats of boiled linseed oil.
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
THE BAT CONSERVATION TRUST

15 Cloisters House
8 Battersea Park Road
London SW8 4BG
United Kingdom
020 7627 2629
www.bats.org.uk
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
THE HOME DEPOT WOLFCRAFT NORTH AMERICA

2455 Paces Ferry Road 333 Swift Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30339 Addison, Illinois 60101-1448
800-553-3199 (U.S.) 630-773-4777
800-668-2266 (Canada) www.wolfcraft.com
www.homedepot.com Woodworking hardware and accessories
Tools, paint, wood, electrical, garden,
pocket hole jigs, accessories WOODCRAFT WOODWORKER’S SUPPLY
P.O. Box 1686 1108 North Glenn Road
LANGEVIN & FOREST LTE. Parkersburg, West Virginia 26102-1686 Casper, Wyoming 82601
9995 Pie IX Boulevard 800-225-1153 800-645-9292
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H1Z 3X1 www.woodcraft.com www.woodworker.com
800-889-2060 Woodworking hardware and accessories Woodworking tools and accessories, finishing
www.langevinforest.com supplies, books, plans
Tools, wood, books WOODWORKER’S HARDWARE
P.O. Box 180 WORKSHOP SUPPLY
LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT WAREHOUSE Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379-0180 PO Box 160
P.O. Box 1111 800-383-0130 100 Commissioners Street, East
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28656 www.wwhardware.com Embro, Ontario, Canada N0J 1J0
800-445-6937 Woodworking tools and accessories, finishing 800-387-5716
www.lowes.com supplies; books and plans www.workshopsupply.com
Tools, paint, wood, electrical, garden Woodworking tools, Jimmy Jigs
PAXTON WOODCRAFTERS’ STORE

4837 Jackson Street
Denver, Colorado 80216 Acrylic paint and other painting supplies used in this book can
800-332-1331 be found at craft and hobby stores.
www.paxtonwood.com
Domestic and foreign hardwood, veneers, books,
woodworking 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
(A)(LSH) 200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) CVR
WOODWORKING

BUILD A FINE HOME FOR YOUR
FEATHERED FRIENDS! birdhouses
Birds of all feathers will be flocking to your backyard to live in
the beautiful houses and dine in the unique feeders you can
build in just a few short hours. This book is chock-full of more
than 50 simple projects for bird, butterfly and bat houses
YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY
designed by the expert editors of Popular Woodworking
Books. All you need are basic woodworking skills, tools, project
materials and your imagination!
Each design is guaranteed to attract specific birds in nearly
every region, including Australia, Europe and the United States.
Build a cottage for chickadees, nesting shelves and boxes for
robins and mourning doves, basic bluebird houses — even a
finch castle! Step-by-step color pho-
tos and easy-to-follow instructions
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!
MORE FINE TITLES FROM POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS:

70656
US $24.99
(CAN $27.50)
OVER
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
BOOKS

Build A Fine Home For Your Feathered Friends!: Birdhouses

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0656 CM BIRDHOUSE A DAY_R#B0B8 1/16/08 2:44 PM Page 1

(A)(LSH) 200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) CVR

BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY

MORE FINE TITLES FROM POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS:

200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P1

BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY

by the editors of POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS

POPULAR WOODWORKING BOOKS

READ THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE METRIC CONVERSION CHART

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Birdhouses you can build in a day/by the editors of Popular Wood-

ACQUISITIONS EDITOR: Jim Stack

200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PROJECT AUTHORS

From left to right:

200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P4

construction notes ...8

Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Bats

PROJECT 2 AMERICAN ROBIN NESTING SHELF. . . 20

PROJECT 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW NESTING PLATFORM . . . 22

PROJECT 4 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER DESERT VILLA . . . 26

PROJECT 5 BARN SWALLOW NESTING PLATFORM . . . 28

PROJECT 6 BARRED OWL HOUSE . . . 30

PROJECT 7 BAT HOUSE . . . 32

PROJECT 8 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE HOUSE . . . 34

PROJECT 9 CHICKADEE COTTAGE . . . 36

PROJECT 10 BUTTERFLY LIGHTHOUSE . . . 38

PROJECT 11 CALIFORNIA TOWHEE WEB PLATFORM . . . 40

PROJECT 12 EASTERN BLUEBIRD HOUSES . . . 42

PROJECT 13 EASTERN BLUEBIRD CUBE . . . 44

PROJECT 14 EASTERN BLUEBIRD LOG CABIN . . . 46

PROJECT 15 EASTERN PHOEBE NESTING PLATFORM . . . 48

PROJECT 16 GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH NESTING PLATFORM . . . 50

200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P5

PROJECT 17 HOUSE FINCH CASTLE . . . 52

PROJECT 18 HOUSE SPARROW RESIDENCE . . . 54

PROJECT 19 HOUSE SPARROW LOG CABIN . . . 56

PROJECT 20 SPARROW BUNGALOW . . . 60

PROJECT 21 SPARROW NESTING MAILBOX . . . 64

PROJECT 22 HOUSE WREN ABODE . . . 66

PROJECT 23 HAIKU WREN HOUSE . . . 68

PROJECT 24 THREE-SIDED WREN HOUSE . . . 70

PROJECT 25 ICOSAHEDRON WREN HOUSE . . . 72

PROJECT 26 JAPANESE WHITE-EYE PAGODA . . . 74

PROJECT 27 MOURNING DOVE NESTING BOX . . . 76

PROJECT 28 NORTHERN CARDINAL PLATFORM . . . 78

PROJECT 29 NORTHERN FLICKER BOX . . . 80

PROJECT 30 PROTHONOTARY WARBLER PRIVY . . . 82

PROJECT 31 PURPLE MARTIN CONDO . . . 84

PROJECT 32 MODERN MARTIN HOUSE . . . 86

TABLE OF CONTENTS continued >

200404057(1) REGENT-F&W:BIRDHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD IN A DAY (K-SBY) P6

PROJECT 33 PURPLE MARTIN ROW HOUSES . . . 88

PROJECT 34 MARTIN HIGH-RISE . . . 90

PROJECT 35 PYGMY NUTHATCH PIPE HOUSE . . . 92

PROJECT 36 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH HOUSE . . . 94

PROJECT 37 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER SALTBOX . . . 96

PROJECT 38 REDWING TREEHOUSE . . . 98

PROJECT 39 ROSELLA NESTING BOX . . . 100

PROJECT 40 TREECREEPER BOX . . . 102

PROJECT 41 TUFTED TITMOUSE A-FRAME CHALET . . . 104

PROJECT 42 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW DOWEL LOG HOUSE . . . 106

PROJECT 43 WOOD DUCK BOX . . . 108