How to Build a Crow Birdhouse

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Things You'll Need

  • Sheet of plywood or particleboard

  • Tape measure

  • Pencil

  • Carpenter’s square tool

  • Safety goggles

  • Power saw

  • Wood Glue

  • Small screws or nails

  • Hammer or screwdriver

  • Sandpaper or orbital sander

  • Paintbrush

  • Paint or wood stain

Because crows are considered pests that disrupt crops and gardens, there aren't many farm- or homeowners who build birdhouses for them. Crows are known to build nests on tree branches. Many consider building crow birdhouses to harvest young crows to turn into pets and train to speak. A functional crow birdhouse can also house other birds and can be made in a few hours.

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Step 1

Measure and cut out five pieces from the sheet of plywood or particleboard. Each piece should measure 1 foot by 1 foot square. Use the tape measure, pencil and carpenter's square to make even 90 degree angles; don your safety goggles while cutting with the power saw.

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Step 2

Place two pieces together at a corner to make a 90-degree angle, and nail, screw or glue into place. Add another piece to make another 90-degree angle in the same direction to make a flat U-shape. This creates the back and sidewalls of the crow birdhouse.

Step 3

Attach the remaining two pieces to the top and bottom of the U-shape to create the roof and floor of the crow birdhouse.

Step 4

Measure and cut another piece of wood measuring 1 foot by 6 inches. Nail, screw or glue this smaller piece along the bottom edge of the open area of the birdhouse. This leaves a 1-foot-by-6-inch open area at the top for the crow mother and her babies to enter and exit easily.

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Step 5

Sand away rough edges of the crow birdhouse and make sure that no nail or screw points are exposed that could harm the crow. Paint or stain the crow birdhouse as desired.

Step 6

Hang your crow birdhouse in an area you often see crows visiting. Clean the nest out once a year to make room for new dwellers.

Tip

Wear gloves when cleaning out your crow birdhouses because crows are very susceptible to obtaining and spreading the West Nile virus.

Warning

Trapping or possessing wild animals and birds to use as pets is illegal today, so crows should only be caught or caged for educational or rehabilitation reasons and then returned to the wild unharmed.

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