Putting up a roost box outside can help birds make it through the winter. These shelters for wild birds are warm and cozy places to go when it’s snowy and cold, and for smaller backyard birds, they can mean the difference between life and death. But what are roost boxes? How are they different from bird houses and nest boxes? How can you get birds to come to your new roost box? We’ll explain everything.
Instilling your garden with the sights and sounds of wild birds is incredibly rewarding. A great way to draw more feathered friends to your outdoor space is by providing roosting boxes. These small wooden shelters offer cavity-nesting bird species a place to nest and take refuge.
Crafting DIY roosting boxes is an easy woodworking project for all skill levels. With just basic tools and materials, you can build custom homes tailored to specific birds you hope to host. Read on to learn all about making and using homemade roosting boxes to increase backyard biodiversity.
Roosting boxes, also called bird boxes or birdhouses, are structures made of wood, metal, or other materials that create an enclosed space for birds to nest, sleep, and take shelter
They mimic natural cavities found in trees, cliffs, and other areas that certain bird species rely on for housing Since suitable natural nesting sites are increasingly scarce, roosting boxes provide critical supplementary habitat
Roosting boxes should have a small entrance hole, perches, and ventilation while being weatherproof and predator-proof. Sizing the hole correctly excludes larger species that may prey on the intended residents.
Nest boxes come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. By tailoring roosting boxes to specific birds, you can effectively target the species you’d like to attract.
Why Build Custom DIY Bird Roosting Boxes?
Constructing your own DIY bird boxes offers many benefits over buying pre-made ones
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Control over materials – You can select durable, non-toxic woods and hardware to create lasting and safe shelters.
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Cost savings – DIY boxes are much cheaper than purchasing commercial ones.
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Customization – You can build boxes suited for the exact species you want to attract.
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Ease of cleaning – DIY boxes allow full access for annual clean-outs and maintenance.
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Creative expression – Building bird boxes is a great woodcrafting project for hobbyists to apply their skills.
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Learning experience – Develop practical construction talents and learn about native birds in the process.
Whether you want to provide natural homes for native cavity nesters, save money, practice woodworking, or just have fun, creating DIY roosting boxes is very rewarding on many levels.
Pick the Perfect Bird species for Your DIY Box
The first step in designing a DIY bird roosting box is deciding which species you’d like to attract. Here are some birds that readily accept manmade nesting sites:
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Chickadees – Chickadees eagerly move into backyard nest boxes. They have a small 4 inch circular entrance.
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Bluebirds – sought-after garden birds that nest in boxes with 1.5 inch openings.
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Wrens – Extremely small opening of 1-1.25 inches needed for these tiny cavity nesters.
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Woodpeckers – Larger rectangular nest boxes with 2-inch slits suit these striking birds.
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Swallows – Open platform boxes mimicking mud nests attract barn and cliff swallows.
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Owls – Deep boxes with large interior space appeal to screech and saw-whet owls.
Do some research on which species are native to your area and their preferred roosting box designs before building. You’ll increase success by catering DIY homes to local birds’ specific needs.
Gather Your Birdhouse Building Supplies
One of the easiest woodworking projects for beginners, DIY roosting boxes only require a few supplies:
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Untreated wood – 3/4-inch exterior plywood, pine, cedar or redwood work well. Avoid pressure treated.
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Hand saw – A backsaw or hand miter box saw to cut wood pieces to size.
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Drill – Both power drill and drill bits to bore entry hole and ventilation.
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Wood glue – Non-toxic glue to assemble the box. Avoid exterior glues.
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Nails or screws – For additional fastening of wood pieces if desired.
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Wood stain, paint or sealer – To make the exterior weatherproof if not using cedar or redwood.
You probably already have many of these supplies on hand. Pick up the necessary materials and get ready to start your build!
Step By Step Instructions for Building Bird Roosting Boxes
Building basic bird boxes involves straightforward wood joinery. Follow these simple construction steps:
1. Cut wood pieces to required dimensions
Refer to a plan to determine sizes needed. Side and roof pieces may require angle cuts.
2. Drill entrance hole
Use appropriately sized drill bit for the bird species. Drill at slight upward angle.
3. Add ventilation holes
Drill 2-4 holes on other sides for airflow. Important to prevent overheating.
4. Attach wood pieces
Glue sides together then attach bottom, front, back, and roof panels.
5. Install perches
Small blocks of wood attached below entrance hole serve as landing area.
6. Finish exterior
Paint, stain or apply exterior sealer to protect from weather if not using cedar or redwood.
7. Mount birdhouse
Install firmly on a pole, tree, or wall. Add predator guard to discourage attacks by cats or racoons.
It’s that easy! Follow a step-by-step plan for mistake-proof results even if you’re new to woodworking. Soon you’ll have custom DIY bird boxes to install around your yard.
Tips for Making Successful Bird Roosting Boxes
Keep these design tips in mind as you build and install DIY birdhouses:
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Make sure openings and interior dimensions match target species’ needs.
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Use untreated, non-toxic wood. Avoid pressure treated lumber.
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Add drainage holes in floor and ventilation holes for airflow.
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Position boxes 10-15 feet high facing away from prevailing winds and predators.
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Mount boxes securely to a sturdy tree, pole, or building eave.
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Install early in season before nesting starts. Year-round residences work too.
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Clean boxes out annually to remove old nesting materials and parasites.
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Apply wood preservative and repellents like hot pepper suet if pest birds become an issue.
With a properly constructed and positioned box made just for them, the special bird neighbors you want to attract will quickly move into their new DIY digs!
Variations to Customize Your Birdhouses
Once you master basic box building, there are many design variations you can add to make enhanced DIY bird roosting boxes:
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Add plexiglass side for cavity viewing without disturbing residents
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Construct multiple compartments for species that nest communally
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Use recycled materials like metal coffee cans covered in wood frames
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Decorate with paint, carvings, roof finials, mini porch lights, etc.
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Incorporate nest box into larger structure like a miniature bark-covered tree
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Build free-standing pole box with predator baffle instead of tree mounting
Embrace your creativity! Advanced hobbyists can try unique builds like tiered boxes, modernist cubes, or Victorian mansion styles. The birds don’t mind!
Ready to DIY? Build Custom Nest Boxes for Backyard Birds!
Constructing your own bird roosting boxes is a fun, easy woodworking project that provides essential habitat for native species. By learning birds’ preferences and building custom boxes, you can attract ideal tenants to your garden.
Start crafting DIY boxes suited just for the chickadees, bluebirds, wrens, or other species you’d like to host. Become a hobbyist carpenter while also supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity in the process. The joy of seeing your nesting site accepted makes it all worthwhile!
How Do You Attract Birds to Your Roost Box?
There are a few things you can do to make your new winter home the best place for your bird to spend the winter. Here are a few tips:
- Put some moss or wood chips on the bottom to make it warmer.
- Cover any cracks in the roost box with tape or caulk to keep the heat in.
- The roost box needs to be cleaned often to get rid of the poop, feathers, dirt, and other things that have accumulated over time.
- Stick it at least 10 feet up, because birds feel safer when they’re up high.
Which Birds Use Roost Boxes?
Many types of birds use roost boxes, including:
It’s not uncommon for multiple birds, and bird species, to be seen roosting together in a roost box. Wrens and nuthatches can often be found roosting together to keep warm on a cold night. And bluebirds often pile in together to stay warm. However, despite the cold, certain birds, like chickadees and woodpeckers, tend to skip the crowd and roost alone.
Thinking about building your own roost box? Check out this DIY video:
Nest Box Design: Our BEST DESIGN Details from 25 years of Practice
FAQ
How high should a bird roosting box be?
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Species
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Box Height
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Hole Size
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House Wren
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5-10 feet
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1″ round
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Mountain Bluebird
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4-6 feet
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1 9/16″ diameter
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Mountain Chickadee
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5-15 feet
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1 1/8″ round
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Northern Flicker
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6-12 feet
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2 1/2″ round
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Why do birds need a roosting box?
As winter approaches, birds seek shelter from the cold. A roosting box provides protection from the harsh winter weather and allows several birds to huddle together to conserve energy by sharing body warmth.
How to build a bird roost box?
Try to build a roost box using plans available on the Internet. Bird enthusiasts recommend a box with a larger-than-usual entrance hole—it’s easier for birds to get a good look inside and also easier to enter and exit. 5. Protect the box from predators. Mount it on a metal pole—cats, raccoons, weasels and rats can climb trees and wooden fenceposts.
What birds use a roosting box?
Bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice and downy woodpeckers are a few of the birds that will use the box to take shelter from the storm. Though similar in construction to a birdhouse, the design of a roosting box has a few significant differences:
What is the difference between a birdhouse and a roosting box?
Center the perch inside the roost box to give room for the birds to rest comfortably. Another difference between a birdhouse and a roosting box is the addition of perches inside the box to offer the birds a comfortable place to rest. The larger the box, the more perches can be added to enable more birds to roost.