|
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
by
Gary Walchuk
photography by Roger Yip
illustration by Len Churchill |
BIRDHOUSES (part 2) |
Blue Warbler
This house is similar to The Bluebird except it’s roomier
and a little fancier. Cut the front from 6 1/2"-wide stock,
including the 60° bevel that forms the top peak and the
bottom end grid pattern. Cut the back the same shape as the
front, except cross cut the bottom edge square, 10 1/4"
below the peak.
 |
| CLICK
BELOW TO ENLARGE |
 |
|
Now
add some flair by gluing and nailing 30° wedge-shaped wings
to the front sides, 7" from the bottom edge. Drill a 1
1/2" entrance hole. Before cutting the bottom, cut the
sides and the bevelled 60° top edges. Assemble and finish
the house.
Location, Location
Ideally, your house should be at least 8' off the ground.
Woodpeckers and purple martins prefer much more elevated perches
ranging from 10' to 20' in height.
Most birds prefer an entry hole
diameter between 1 1/4" and 2"; obviously larger
birds, such as owls, prefer larger holes—up to 6"
in diameter.
The distance of the entry hole
from the floor of the birdhouse is important. Some birds,
like robins, barn swallows and purple martins, prefer it to
be down close to the floor, about 1" to 2". Most
other birds prefer holes elevated between 4" to 8"
above the house floor.
Other factors determine the
popularity of your new house. It’s essential to locate
the house close to a feeder and water reservoir. After all,
birds, like humans, search for convenience when looking for
a place to nest.
The water source should be within
10' of your birdhouse and a variety of food (depending on
what species you’re trying to attract) should also be
nearby.
Planting shrubs and flowers
will also help attract a larger variety of local birds. Cardinals,
orioles and doves avoid birdhouses—no matter how attractive—preferring
to build their nests in the shelter of trees and shrubs.
—Douglas Thomson |
| You
will need: |
| For
the Blue Wren |
Size |
Qty. |
| Front |
3/4"
x 6 3/4" x 13" |
1 |
| Back |
3/4"
x 6 3/4" x 10 1/4" |
1 |
| Sides |
3/4"
x 7" x 8 13/16" |
1 |
| Trim |
3/4"
x 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" |
1 |
| Bottom |
3/4"
x 6" x 3 1/2" |
1 |
| Roof |
3/4"
x 9 1/4" x 7 1/2" |
1 |
| Mounting
board |
3/4"
x 3" x 18" |
1 |
| Perch
(hardwood dowel) |
5/16"
dia. x 3" |
1 |
| For
the Bluebird |
| Front |
3/4"
x 4" x 11 1/2" |
1 |
| Back |
3/4"
x 4" x 9 3/4" |
1 |
| Sides |
3/4"
x 5 3/4" x 9 1/4" |
2 |
| Bottom |
3/4"
x 4" x 4 3/4" |
1 |
| Trim |
3/4"
x 2" x 7" |
1 |
| Roof |
3/4"
x 6" x 8" |
2 |
| Mounting
board |
3/4"
x 3" x 18" |
1 |
| For
the Blue Warbler |
| Front |
3/4"
x 6 1/2" x 12" |
1 |
| Back |
3/4"
x 4 1/2" x 10 1/4" |
1 |
| Sides |
3/4"
x 5 1/2" x 9 3/4" |
2 |
| Bottom |
3/4"
x 4 1/2" x 5 1/4" |
1 |
| Roof |
3/4"
x 7" x 8 1/2" |
2 |
| Trim |
3/4"
x 2 1/2" x 7" |
1 |
| Mounting
board |
3/4"
x 3" x 18" |
1 |
|
| PART
1 | PART 2 |
|
|
|
|
| FREE
NEWSLETTER |
Subscribe to our newsletter. Every few weeks, you'll get a behind-the-scenes
peek at the magazine, the web site and the folks who put it all together.
CLICK HERE |
|
|
PROJECTS
