How to Help Birds Build Nests

Different varieties of birds build different types of nests. You should research the type of nests or nest boxes the birds require. Nesting season generally runs from early spring to late summer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Onion Mesh Bags
• Glues
• Yarns
• Scissors
• Scissors
• String
• Saws
• Common Nails
• Hammers
• Saws
• Wood
• Hammers

Nests

1. Obtain a mesh bag, such as an onion bag.

2. Stuff bag with a mixture of any or all of the following: hair, dryer lint, short strands of string or yarn, dried grasses or rootlets, feathers, spiders' silk, snake skins.

3. Mount bag on a fence or post where birds can come and remove materials for nest making.

Nest Box

4. Determine the species of bird you wish to make a nest box for.

5. Research proper box dimensions for that bird's nest box.

6. Purchase wood and cut to specifications.

7. Assemble box as directed.

8. Mount box as directed.

9. Remove box after nesting season, thoroughly clean and store.

10. Remount box for the next nesting season.

Tips & Warnings

• Each species has special conditions for the type of box preferred and where box should be mounted.
• If you mount more than one box, research the appropriate distance between boxes depending on the bird species.
• Birds may not use boxes the first time you put them up - try again next season.
• Avoid outside perches on nest boxes. They may provide a place for predators to stand while raiding the nest box.
• Mount nest boxes out of reach of predators such as cats.

[anon829]

on 7/5/2009 Please DO NOT use dryer lint. When it gets wet, it stays wet, and can freeze the baby birds. Check the National Wildlife Federation's website at ww.nwf.org for more (expert) information.

on 8/8/2006 Dryer lint is soft, but it falls apart when it rains. Put out something more durable, like small pieces of yarn or cotton.

on 11/22/2005 When you gather materials, stick them in an empty suet feeder. I did this with a bird-feeder and it works well.

on 11/22/2005 Save dryer lint for spring when birds are building their nests. Collect the lint in a plastic bag attached near the dryer. In the spring, distribute the lint on the ground and in bushes, or hang it in a bird suet wire basket.