In North America, house sparrows are very common.There are holes in buildings and trees that they nest in.Habitating these birds may help conserve them in Great Britain.If you want to welcome house sparrows to your home, you can build a nestbox with wood, nails, and a drill and saw.
Step 1: Purchase a plank.
A single plank of wood can be used for a basic nestbox.Purchase a board that is one inch by six inches in thickness and four feet long.Any type of wood can work.Soft woods like pine will not last as long as hardwoods like oak and beech.Don't use wood that is less than a quarter of an inch thick.It won't provide enough insulation to keep birds warm.If you want to make a nest box for house sparrows, you need to check with your local wildlife services.
Step 2: Mark for cutting the roof.
To mark where you're going to cut the sides and back of the nestbox, use a pencil and ruler to draw several lines on the wood.For the roof, move eight inches down from the end of the plank and make a mark on each side.To draw a line between them, use a ruler.If you want to draw another horizontal line across, move 12 inches down from your first line.If you want to draw another horizontal line for the front of your nestbox, move down another seven inches.
Step 3: The walls and bottom should be marked.
The roof will slant if the walls of the nestbox are not angle at the top.Move eight inches down the left side of your plank to make a mark on the first wall.On the right side, mark seven inches down.There is a line between the two.It should move upward.The lengths are reversed on the second wall.Make a mark by moving seven inches down the left side of the plank.Move eight inches down the right side of the plank.If you have done it correctly, the line will be horizontal.For the bottom, draw a horizontal line five inches down from the previous one.You will discard the last inch at the bottom.
Step 4: Cut the pieces.
You can cut the pieces with a saw using the lines you drew.The fastest way to get the cleanest cuts is to use a table or circular saw.
Step 5: There is an entrance hole.
sparrows use an entrance hole for the front piece of your nestbox.The easiest way to create a circular hole is with a power drill.A hole of about 1 and 1/2 inches is recommended for house sparrows.
Step 6: There are drain holes to be drilled.
The nestbox will get some rain.To allow water to drain out easily, it's a good idea to drill a couple of small holes in the bottom piece.
Step 7: There are mounting holes.
You will need to drill some holes in the back of the nestbox to hang it.Attach one or two at the top of the back piece.
Step 8: Attach the back to the bottom.
It's time to start assembling.To attach the bottom to the back, use galvanized or STAINLESS steel nails.Attach the base to the back along one of the short edges, leaving room for the side pieces.The back piece has nails in it.Attach the base to the back, about one to two inches up from the bottom.If you prefer, brass screws can be used in the place of nails.
Step 9: Put the walls on the bottom and back.
The underside of the base should be flush with the wall piece's bottom edge.The back piece should be attached to the long edge of the wall piece.The outside of each wall should be hit with the nails.The back piece has a hammer nail through it.
Step 10: The front should be installed.
The front piece needs to be attached to the walls.The underside of the base should be flush with the front piece.Attach this piece with hammers through the edges of the base and walls.
Step 11: Attach the top with a hinge
To attach the top, you'll want to use a hinge with one side screwed into the roof piece and the other in the back.To get a sense of where to place the hinge, lay the roof on.The hinges should be waterproof.You can use a piece of inner tube in the place of a hinge if you can find a waterproof brass one.The roof will fit onto the back without having to cut the edge at an angle.It allows you to clean out the nestbox after a new chick leaves.
Step 12: If desired, seal.
Bird lovers disagree on whether the joints in the nestbox should be sealed.You can use waterproof wood glue to seal the birdhouse.Birds are more comfortable when drafts are stopped and the nestbox is sealed.Leaving the joints open allows water to drain more easily.
Step 13: The materials should be added to the nest.
The basic materials for sparrow nest are dry moss and other coarse vegetation.If you put some in the box, your guests will start to decorate their home.
Step 14: It's a good idea to mount your nestbox.
A good place to hang your box is after it's finished.You want it to be at least 15 feet above the ground.The box should be placed close to the home's scuplture to make it more attractive to sparrows.It would be easy for a cat or other predator to access the nest if it was placed away from tree branches.