Always use corrosion resistant screws and hardware. Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces (first piece the screw is inserted into). Drill regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces.
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.
3/4″ wood stock is the most common. 5/8″ stock where called for can be supplied with fencing material from most lumberyards. 5/8″ stock is used on the smaller nest boxes because 3/4″ stock is too thick and makes them look odd.
You may prefer Side Opening Doors instead of hinged roof doors, especially for the larger nest boxes.
Phoebe Platform Shelter
The phoebe platform for eastern phoebes, Say’s phoebes and possibly house finches and Carolina wrens has approximately a 6″ by 6″ base, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Make this platform shelter from cedar, pine, or almost any softwood.
Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces (first work piece which the screws are inserted) and regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces. This reduces a tendency for wood to split and makes for easy assembly in minutes with a power or hand held screwdriver.
Mount this platform on the side of a garage or shed over looking both open spaces and foliage in your back yard from seven to fifteen feet high where birds are safe from predators and they can survey a wide area from their roost.
Carefully select a location that provides a balance of protection from predators, elements, access and visibility. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest.
Do not mount in a tree. The purpose of a nesting platform is to simulate an isolated cliff crevice. A platform shelter mounted on a wall away from objects that help predators gain access serves this purpose.
Sometimes platform nesters like the shelter of a porch roof. If placement is under a roof or eave, try the open platform with no roof. See discussion on platform nesters and individual species pages.
Remove the nest after the brood rearing seasons are over.
Birds that May Nest on this Platform
Phoebe Platform Shelter
The phoebe platform for eastern phoebes, Say’s phoebes and possibly house finches and Carolina wrens has approximately a 6″ by 6″ base, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Make this platform shelter from cedar, pine, or almost any softwood.
Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces (first work piece which the screws are inserted) and regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces. This reduces a tendency for wood to split and makes for easy assembly in minutes with a power or hand held screwdriver.
Mount this platform on the side of a garage or shed over looking both open spaces and foliage in your back yard from seven to fifteen feet high where birds are safe from predators and they can survey a wide area from their roost.
Carefully select a location that provides a balance of protection from predators, elements, access and visibility. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest.
Do not mount in a tree. The purpose of a nesting platform is to simulate an isolated cliff crevice. A platform shelter mounted on a wall away from objects that help predators gain access serves this purpose.
Sometimes platform nesters like the shelter of a porch roof. If placement is under a roof or eave, try the open platform with no roof. See discussion on platform nesters and individual species pages.
Remove the nest after the brood rearing seasons are over.
Birds that May Nest on this Platform
Phoebe Platform Shelter
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home
The phoebe platform for eastern phoebes, Say’s phoebes and possibly house finches and Carolina wrens has approximately a 6″ by 6″ base, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Make this platform shelter from cedar, pine, or almost any softwood.
Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces (first work piece which the screws are inserted) and regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces. This reduces a tendency for wood to split and makes for easy assembly in minutes with a power or hand held screwdriver.
Mount this platform on the side of a garage or shed over looking both open spaces and foliage in your back yard from seven to fifteen feet high where birds are safe from predators and they can survey a wide area from their roost.
Carefully select a location that provides a balance of protection from predators, elements, access and visibility. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest.
Do not mount in a tree. The purpose of a nesting platform is to simulate an isolated cliff crevice. A platform shelter mounted on a wall away from objects that help predators gain access serves this purpose.
Sometimes platform nesters like the shelter of a porch roof. If placement is under a roof or eave, try the open platform with no roof. See discussion on platform nesters and individual species pages.
Remove the nest after the brood rearing seasons are over.
Birds that May Nest on this Platform
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home