Bonus Article

Building the simple basic nest box.

Many people purchase nest boxes for their birds. We're glad that they do because we sell nest boxes, but building your own is fairly easy and rewarding if you have the time and a few basic carpentry skills.

For the most part plywood is the easiest material to obtain and use in making a basic nest box. There are six pieces of plywood needed.;

2 squares, one for the top and one for the bottom (A & B.)

2 rectangles for front and back (C & D.) D should be about 1/8" longer than C to allow for the width of the saw blade that you'll use to make your access door. C & D should be the same width as the dimension for A & B.

2 rectangles for the sides. (E & F) Both of these are the same length as C, but should be wider than C & D by twice the width of the thickness of your material. {(ie. If you are using 1/4" plywood, and C and D are 6" wide then E & F need to be 61/2" wide-6" plus (2X1/4")}

Having square (90 degree) corners is very important in building a sound stable box. This can be done with a circular saw, or even a jig saw, but a table saw is the best way to assure this. If you don't have access to one, many lumberyards will cut the plywood to dimension for a small fee.

The next step is to drill a hole in the front (piece C) to provide an entrance for the birds. The size of this opening is determined by the size and type of bird that will be using the nest box. There are several different ways of accomplishing this. I generally us a forstner drill bit, or a hole saw. Using these tools means it is a simple one step drilling operation.

If you don't have these, or need a very large entrance you will have to use a smaller drilled hole, and a jigsaw to make the opening. Mark the location on the front, drill a pilot hole for the jigsaw blade and cut out the opening. Drill a 3/8" hole directly below the opening. When you are finished constructing the box, a short piece of 3/8" dowel rod is inserted to act as a landing perch.

Cutting and drilling are now complete. Now for assembly. Spread a thin layer of wood glue along two opposing edges of the bottom piece B and place it on a flat surface. Align the bottom of the front piece C along one glued edge and nail C to A using wire brads. (I use a pneumatic stapler or nail gun for this but brads and a hammer work just as well.) The bottom portion of piece D is attached in the same manner to opposing glued edge.

Lay this partially constructed box over on its side. Spread a thin layer of wood glue along the top facing edge and align one side (piece E) with all three of the edges and nail in place.

Turn the box over and repeat.

Spread a thin layer along the edges of the top (piece A) insert it into the opening at the top and nail in place.

Insert a short section of 3/8" dowel into the hole below the entrance hole to provide a landing perch.

"El" hooks or cup hooks can be used to hang the box from the cage. A hook and eye can be used to lock the back access door.

This simple design is sturdy and effective. It is easily modified to suit a wide variety of birds simply by using different dimensions.

Tools needed;

Tape measure

Table saw (optimum), or circular saw

Drill

Jig Saw (for oversized entrance holes.)

Wood glue (Elmers or TiteBond are recommended.)

Wire brads and Hammer, or nail gun.

If you don't have access to a means of cutting the plywood to size, CW Fox Enterprises can supply precut components. All you need to do is provide desired dimensions, and desired thickness of materials. Simply contact Orchid Tree Exotics for details and a quote..