Make pilot holes slightly larger in the primary work piece (first piece in which the screw is inserted) such that screws can be turned in easily without leaving room for movement.
Screws should be more snug in secondary work pieces so that screws can be tightened, but not so tight as to split the wood or to strip the hole and loosen the screw.
You shouldn’t have to pay for any wood if you keep your eyes peeled. Watch for wood scrap piles at fence and home construction sites. These are good sources for the small sizes usually needed for bird houses.
For increased ventilation in warmer climates, floor and side panel corner gaps can be larger than plans specify.
Some woodworkers may prefer to drill strategically located holes for ventilation and leave floor panels whole.
Use a hand held screwdriver to assemble work pieces. This allows the crafts person to feel and better judge appropriate hole sizes and snugness to prevent stripping and splitting wood.
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 including house sparrows and starlings.
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 including house sparrows and starlings.
Hairy Woodpecker Birdhouse
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home
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.
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 including house sparrows and starlings.
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home