How do you build a birdhouse?

Birds, like other creatures, need shelter. We can provide them with it by preparing homes for them. Exactly! Houses - not feeders. Feeders, as the name suggests, are places where birds dine. A house, on the other hand, is a place where they can lay their eggs and raise their chicks.

How to make a simple but also functional birdhouse? We give you step-by-step suggestions on how to do it:

1. Prepare the necessary materials. You will need: 
   • wooden planks - preferably pine or cedar
   • nails or screws
   • sandpaper
   • stain
   • brush
   • saw
   • hammer or screwdriver
   • pencil
   • drill.
2. Match the size and shape of the house to the species of bird you are preparing the house for. We give you a hint as to what a standard-sized house should be for small birds (e.g. sparrows, titmice):
   • height: 25 cm
   • base: 12 cm x 12 cm
   • diameter of entrance opening: 3.2 cm.
3. Cut the boards to the dimensions indicated with a saw. 6 pieces are needed:
   • front: 25 cm x 12 cm (with entrance opening)
   • back: 25 cm x 12 cm
   • 2 sides: 25 cm x 12 cm (they should be cut at an angle to form a trapezoid so that the roof can be pitched)
   • bottom: 12 cm x 12 cm
   • roof 15 cm x 20 cm.
4. The cut pieces are sanded.
5. We prepare an exit hole in the front wall - it should not be too large or too small so that the bird, for which we are building this house, can freely enter through it and at the same time no predator puts its head through it. Such a hole can be made with a drill with a drill bit or a wood cutter, and the edges smoothed with sandpaper.
6. Time for assembly. First, using nails or screws, we connect the sides to the front and back together. Next, we assemble the bottom and the roof.
7. We paint the cottage with stain to increase its lifespan. Remember to use a product that is safe for pets. Wait for it to dry.
8. All that remains is to attach the house to a tree, post or building wall. It should be fixed at a height of at least 2-3 m above the ground. Done!

By building bird houses, with little effort we can support local wildlife while enjoying the company of birds in our own garden.