Hi Kids and adults alike welcome.

This project is to build a Baby Can Birdhouse. You will enjoy watching the birds grow up and leave the nest.

Do not ever use power tools, hammers or other dangerous items without an adults or your Mom / Dad helping and supervision.

We at Seagrave United Church believe in sharing all you do with a adult so you both can learn and have fun together so get your grandparents to help also.

Bird House Facts;

There's a lot to consider when building a birdhouse the size of the bird house has to match the size of bird and the nest to be inside. These are basic birdhouse its hole size and position of the hole will depend upon what size of bird you would like have nesting in it. For example you will need a deeper birdhouse from the opening to the floor bottom for a Robin then a chickadee. This is the stop predators from reaching the babies and not to deep that so the mother would be able to bend over and reach the babies for feeding. Most birds do not like to have a perch, it allows predators to stand on it and look in the nest. The following layout is for a Blue Jay bird but if you wanted to use it for a different type of bird all you have to do is change your hole size and location according to where the floor is. Here's how, a Blue Jay stands to his back about 2 inches high so make the floor 4 inches to 5 inches below the opening, a chickadee stands about 1 inch high so make the floor 2 inches below the opening. Different types of birds like their nest a certain distance from the ground too! Always leave a way to open the birdhouse to clean it out ever winter when the birds have left. I use screws on the top so I can open it for easy cleaning.

To see opening size and height off ground go to website for sizes and height off the ground.

 

 

This picture shows a fancy roof it's just for show. You do not need to use pine door shims on the top.

If you do, glue and nail them in place so nails do not hit tin can.

 

The size of the wood you need will change by the size of tin can you use. (note pick your can big enough for the bird to made a home in. A soup can is too small). I used a 3 by 6 inch coffee can. You can use any size as long as the width of the can is 3 inches or more. For the front and back panels use one inch wood, for the roof use 3/8 inch or thicker ply wood. Drill all holes before assembling. Pre drill all nail holes to stop wood from splitting. (use drill bit smaller then nail).  The front door bird hole is set for 3/4 inch but can be enlarged to 1 1/4 inch for larger birds. I would start with a smaller hole and work your way up. Also you can look at website for sizes and height off the ground.

First you need gloves and safety glasses. You will need to get 2 inch finishing nails and some water proof glue, small chain or wire to hang the bird house, 2 eye hooks and sand paper. When you are finished making you bird house you can colour it with flowers (not front panel), paint the can brown. After all colours have dried, paint it with a clear water repellent paint. Important to follow safety instruction on paint cans and have fun.

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