Hairy Woodpecker Birdhouse
Build the hairy woodpecker birdhouse with cedar, pine, or almost any soft wood. Use wood rough-cut on both sides so that birds can grip both interior and exterior surfaces.
Make a 6″ by 6″ floor (inside dimensions) and a 14″ floor to ceiling height (inside front). Drill a 1 5/8″ diameter entrance hole located 11″ above the floor (to top of hole). Cut or drill ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof.
Attach a hinged roof for easy access to monitor and clean. Use shutter hooks to secure roof in closed position. Or make a fixed roof and Side Opening Doors. Always use corrosion resistant screws and hardware.
Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces. Drill regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces. This reduces a tendency for wood to split. It also makes for easy assembly in minutes with a power or hand held screwdriver.
Extend the back wall panel beyond both top and bottom. Drill pilot holes in these long panels for mounting. Drill an extra mounting hole inside the box just under the roof. Stagger these holes so that all are not in line along a single wood grain. Holes in line with grain can weaken and cause wood to split.
Mount 12 feet or higher on a tree in a forest, forest edge, or grove. See see the hairy woodpecker species page for habits and ranges.
Because this nest box installation is at a significant height, it should be installed and maintained by professionals. Carpenters, electricians, line workers, etc. often have the right equipment and experience.
Remove the nest and clean the box well after the brood rearing season is past. Store or leave the box installed during winter. Birds might use it for a warmer.
Other woodpeckers and birds may also use this nest box. Monitor this house. House sparrows and starlings like birdhouses with larger entrance holes.
Hairy Woodpecker Birdhouse
Build the Hairy Woodpecker with cedar, pine, or almost any soft wood. Use wood rough-cut on both sides so that birds can grip both interior and exterior surfaces.
Make a 6″ by 6″ floor (inside dimensions) and a 14″ floor to ceiling height (inside front). Drill a 1 5/8″ diameter entrance hole located 11″ above the floor (to top of hole). Cut or drill ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof.
Attach a hinged roof for easy access to monitor and clean. Use shutter hooks to secure roof in closed position. Or make a fixed roof and Side Opening Doors. Always use corrosion resistant screws and hardware.
Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces. Drill regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces. This reduces a tendency for wood to split. It also makes for easy assembly in minutes with a power or hand held screwdriver.
Extend the back wall panel beyond both top and bottom. Drill pilot holes in these long panels for mounting. Drill an extra mounting hole inside the box just under the roof. Stagger these holes so that all are not in line along a single wood grain. Holes in line with grain can weaken and cause wood to split.
Mount 12 feet or higher on a tree in a forest, forest edge, or grove. See see the hairy woodpecker species page for habits and ranges.
Because this nest box installation is at a significant height, it should be installed and maintained by professionals. Carpenters, electricians, line workers, etc. often have the right equipment and experience.
Remove the nest and clean the box well after the brood rearing season is past. Store or leave the box installed during winter. Birds might use it for a warmer.
Other woodpeckers and birds may also use this nest box. Monitor this house. House sparrows and starlings like birdhouses with larger entrance holes.
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