Build a Simple Songbird Nest Box This Weekend

This is a woodworking project with a payoff you can hear. In an afternoon, you can build a small nest box for wrens or chickadees, two cheerful little birds that will inspect your handiwork more seriously than most building inspectors.

You’ll need one 1-by-6-inch board, about 4 feet long, preferably untreated cedar or pine; a 1 1/8-inch hole saw or spade bit; a saw; drill; tape measure; pencil; exterior-rated screws; and sandpaper. Expect to spend roughly $15 to $25 if you need to buy the wood and hardware. Do not use pressure-treated lumber or freshly painted scraps inside the box.

Cut these pieces: front and back, 9 inches long; two sides, 7 inches long; a floor, 4 inches square; and a roof, 7 inches long. The front and back should be 5 1/2 inches wide. On the front, mark the entrance hole 6 inches above the bottom edge and drill it cleanly with the 1 1/8-inch bit. A smaller hole helps keep larger, more aggressive birds from moving in.

Before assembly, drill two or three 1/4-inch drainage holes in the floor. Also drill a couple of small ventilation holes near the top of each side. Sand only the sharp edges and the entrance hole. Birds do not need a polished condominium, and excessive sanding just creates sawdust with delusions of grandeur.

Attach the sides between the front and back, then screw on the floor so it sits slightly above the bottom edges. This leaves a small air gap underneath. Attach the roof with screws, but use only two screws on one side so the roof can swing open for cleaning. If the roof shifts, add a small hook-and-eye latch.

The one mistake nearly every beginner makes is adding a perch below the entrance. Birds do not need one; predators, squirrels, and competing birds appreciate it enormously. Leave it off. The birds can grip the rough wood around the hole just fine.

Mount the box 5 to 10 feet high on a pole or building, with the entrance facing away from prevailing rain. Keep it out of direct afternoon sun if possible. Clean out old nesting material after the nesting season, wearing gloves, and leave the box alone during active nesting. A plain box in the right place beats a fancy one in the wrong place every time.