How to Build a Birdhouse for Birds Native to Oregon
- 1). Measure a 6-inch-by-6-inch square, starting at one end of the plank of wood. Cut this piece out with a handsaw. Use a pencil to mark this piece of wood as the floor.
- 2). Cut another piece of wood measuring 6 inches by 8 inches. Mark this piece as the top.
- 3). Measure a piece of wood to 6 inches by 14 inches. Use a handsaw to cut out this piece of wood. Label this piece as the front.
- 4). Measure two pieces of wood at 6 inches by 16 inches. Use a protractor to measure a 45-degree angle along the 16-inch edge of one of the wood pieces. Using a handsaw, cut the edge of the wood to a 45-degree angle. Repeat on the second piece. Label these pieces as the right and left sides.
- 5). Measure a piece of wood to 6 inches by 20 inches. Cut the piece out using a handsaw and label it as the back.
- 6). Join the right side and back pieces together. Position the right side so that the highest point of the top meets the back piece, causing the box to slope downward. Use an electric screwdriver to drive a wood screw into the joined side. Insert one screw for every 2 to 3 inches. The bottom of the back piece should extend about 4 inches below the bottom of the right side.
- 7). Join the bottom piece to the bottom edge of the right side. One edge should butt against the back piece. Use an electric screwdriver to insert screws every 2 to 3 inches where the right side and the bottom meet. Insert nails every 2 to 3 inches through the back wall into the edge of the bottom.
- 8). Join the left side of the birdhouse to the back and the bottom pieces. Align the highest point of the top edge to the back piece. Use wood screws every 2 to 3 inches to hold the joints together.
- 9). Fit the drill with a 1 1/2-inch circular bit. Measure about 8 inches from the bottom of the front piece. Use the drill to make a circular entrance for the woodpeckers.
- 10
Join the front piece to the right, left and bottom sections. Drive screws every 2 to 3 inches along to the joints to hold the piece in place. - 11
Place the top piece along the angled edges of the right and left sides. Use two small hinges to attach the top to the back wall. Use wood screws to hold the hinged top in place. A hinged top allows you to remove nesting material and clean the box after each nesting season. - 12
Apply a non-toxic wood glue along all of the joints. This helps to further secure all of the pieces of the woodpecker box.
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