Martin condominiums, which are usually placed in open areas, may be painted white to reflect even more light.ĭrainage and Ventilation. Dark colors may cause boxes to overheat and injure eggs and young. Light shades of green, gray, and tan are the best choices for nest boxes. Do not install the box for at least 2 weeks after painting. Use a water- based exterior latex if the box needs paint. Painting is not necessary except for purple martin houses or others made of soft wood. Construction details for a top-opening songbird nest box Construction details of some boxes are shown in figures 1 to 4.įigure 1. Nest box dimensions and height for placement are shown in table 1. Lumber should be at least 3⁄4-inch thick to provide insulation for the birds. Exterior-grade plywood can also be used it is recommended for roof boards, no matter what lumber is used to construct the nest box. Pine, although less durable, is easier to work with and somewhat less expensive than other wood. The most durable woods include cypress, cedar, and redwood. Treated lumber should not be used for nest boxes. Several types of wood, however, are more durable and desirable. Almost any grade of untreated lumber can be used to build nest boxes. The birds’ nest building and food gathering provide hours of entertainment to armchair bird watchers. Or, it may be a patch of wild garden and trees. This may consist of homemade bird houses and berry baskets of hair, moss, cotton balls, and yarn. They will choose rural or urban yards alike where there is a small patch of suitable habitat. Bluebirds, robins, chickadees, titmice, wrens, and purple martins adapt easily to using bird houses.
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