Article: <b>SONGBIRDS</b> are among nature's greatest indicators of a quality environment.
In and around many industrial centers where pollutants are rampant and in heavy agricultural areas where pesticide use is great, the number of songbirds has decreased in recent years.
Not so in most of Texas, where clean air, excellent habitat and people interested in nature are the rule and not the exception. Many Texans are concerned about the inroads being made upon nature by an expanding human race & receive balm to their spirits each spring via the cheerful melodies of songbirds.
You can get a front-row seat in your own back yard to this concert by providing nesting places such as a <u>Bird House</u> for the birds of your choice. This is becoming especially important, because habitat destruction by man is critically reducing songbird nesting areas. A good project this spring would be to build a <u>Bird House</u> or two. This is a great family project for Father & Son/Daughter.
Those who enjoy the companionship of birds will find these types of <u>Bird House</u> inexpensive and fun to build. A well-built <u>Bird House</u> should be durable, rainproof, cool, and readily accessible for cleaning. By using some imagination, the builder can also add an attractive touch to the landscape.
Wood, such as <u>Cedar</u>, Cypress, & Pine are the best building materials. Metals other than aluminum should be avoided, for they become extremely hot when exposed to a sweltering sun. Treated Lumber should also be avoided as it is toxic to some birds. Rough cut slabs with the bark left on make ideal material for a <b>rustic</b> looking <u>Bird House</u>.
Roofs should be constructed with sufficient pitch to shed water. At least 3 inches of overhang should be allowed to protect the entrance of the <u>Bird House</u> from driving rain. Some water may still seep into the <u>Bird House</u>, therefore a few small holes should be drilled in the floor to allow drainage.
Builders should plan for several holes near the top of the box to provide ventilation in hot weather. The <u>Bird House</u> should be constructed preferably with ceramic coated screws for easy disassembly when cleaning and the ceramic will keep the screws from rusting.
Entrance holes should be near the top of the box and proportional to the size of the bird which will use the <u>Bird House</u>. A <b>Bird Houses</b> should have the interior walls roughened or grooved to assist the young in climbing to the opening.
Every <u>Bird House</u> should be placed at locations inaccessible to natural predators. The opening should face away from the prevailing wind, and if possible, the <u>Bird House</u> should be situated in partial sunlight. Subdued color tones are best, except for those placed in direct sunlight where white is needed to reflect the heat.
No <u>Bird House</u> should be placed near another. Some birds insist on territorial rights and conflicts could result in an empty <u>Bird House</u>. At least 1/4 acre should be allowed for most types of <u>Bird House</u>.
Different species of birds need houses constructed to suit their particular needs. The following link <a href=""http://www.cedarcreekwoodshop.com/bird houses.html"">""Bird Houses""</a> will take you back to the variouse type bird houses we offer here at Cedar Creek Woodshop. Browse the site and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop us a line.
About the author: Brought To You Courtesy: <a href=""http://www.cedarcreekwoodshop.com""> Cedar Creek Woodshop</a> Where We Have Been Custom Building Outdoor Patio Furniture Made Of Treated Lumber and designing Bird House and Bird Feeders made of Western Red Cedar For The Last 25 Years.
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