Birdwatching is on the rise, so you might want to learn how to build a birdhouse. According to Geoff LeBaron, director of the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, the pandemic was a catalyst. “People were aching to do something outside and one of the things that they could do, while social distancing, was looking at wildlife and birds,” LeBaron says.
Putting up a birdhouse, also called a nest box, is an easy way to foster your newfound birdwatching hobby, not to mention extend your design skills to the outdoors. For your winged friends, the benefits are multifold. “For cavity or nesting species, it provides them an additional place where they can nest each season,” LeBaron says. When temperatures drop, “nest boxes can also be an important place for them to roost.” Of course, the other principal benefit is for humans. “It connects people with the wildlife in their yard and in their region,” he adds.
Asked for tips for building your own birdhouse, LeBaron offered several suggestions. Different hole sizes will attract different species, something to keep in mind if there’s a certain bird, say bluebirds, you want to attract. It’s a good idea to have a water source, both for bathing and drinking. Feeders aren’t necessary, but they will be conducive to more birdwatching time. You’ll also want to avoid mounting your birdhouse on a tree trunk. “A lot of predators climb trees,” explained LeBaron. Best not to give them a quick route to free lunch.
When it comes to design, certain colors or styles may attract different species, but there’s no harm in hanging a birdhouse that suits your taste and seeing who shows up. If you’re not sure how to build a birdhouse, check out three inspiring designs for DIY’ing a modern birdhouse—one that enables your birdwatching and beautifies your lawn. As you build these avian residences, note that it makes sense to keep the bird box design subdued and to use as many natural materials as possible to help mimic the natural habitat. Here, AD’s favorites from around the Internet to inspire a birdhouse of your own.
A midcentury-modern ranch
