. . . is it difficult?
Anyone who can hold a saw, hammer a nail, use a screwdriver, or bore
holes with a brace and bit can make bird houses and feeders which will
not only be suitable, but will be received with open wings by the
feathered populace. It needn't cost much, either, to do your part in
relieving the housing shortage in the bird world. You can either buy
the materials or use remnants of boards left over from other projects,
packing-case boards, plywood scraps, or seasoned wood from old pieces
of furniture which have been discarded. The only limit is the ingenuity
of the builder, and he may well be someone who is embarking upon the
hobby of becoming a craftsman.
Materials chosen particularly for the purpose may look better to the
human eye, but the birds won't mind if you use oddments. Cedar,
cypress, redwood, and hardwoods will last longer; but poplar, white
pine, and practically any kind of wood which is easily worked will do
if it is of suitable size and thickness. Wet and green lumber should be
avoided. When the house is finished, it should be stained or painted.
It should then be taken down yearly, cleaned, and given another coat
of stain or paint to make it last for as long as possible. Make any
necessary repairs at that time, too.
You can build a bird house as good as or better than the best offered
commercially. Some professionally-made bird houses (and many of the
home-made kind, too, regrettably) are "cute little numbers" painted in
garish colors and made to simulate human dwellings. They look as if
they belonged in the plastic department of the local five-and-ten-cent
store. The birds don't like them very much, usually, so you may be
wasting your time if you go off on this tack.
. . . what the birds want
The most successful bird houses are engineered for the birds' use, not
to tickle the eyes of humankind. They strive to emulate as far as possible
what is known about the natural preferences of the birds. While some
may nest in brightly-painted houses, most birds seem to prefer a nest-
house which is less conspicuous. This doesn't mean that you have to go
to the length of making everything brown and green, as some bird
lovers advocate. Neutral grey, soft blue-green like that of spruce
needles, medium blue, terra cotta, or any of the pleasant colors which
are not too brilliant will not offend the birds, and will charm the human
eye, too.
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