Any Birders out there?
My son built a bird house a couple of years ago for scouts.
I put it in a tree right out side his bedroom window so we could watch the show.
But I fear that the whole is too small.
When Momma sparrow gets plump with her eggs she has a real hard time getting in.
Actually it can be quite comical!!
there is no perch so she jumps from a nearby branch and get halfway in.
Then all you see is a little bird rump and the tail and two legs writhing frantically til she gets herself in.
I am afraid she may get herself stuck!
I want to put a perch on an possibly enlarge the hole.
I will wait til “Offseason”
But I seem to recall that there are certain “specs” on the proper hole sizes for different birds species.
Any one out there have any knowledge in this area?
Momma Sparrow would be verrrry grateful!!!!!!
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Replies
I'd use 1 1/2 or 1 3/8 hole for sparrows (but I would rather use a much smaller hole to exclude them). I like the smaller songbirds better. On the other hand, I keep a few chickens myself. They're funny birds and the eggs are good to eat as well as the chickens themself. Here is a good PDF on bird houses and feeders.
http://www.wildlifemanagement.info/publications/articles_11.pdf
Locally we disdain the pesky sparrow...almost as the starling.
But from an Illinois Dept. of Conservation "Wood Projects Book " I find the following:
Hole for a wren is 1" dia....too small for a sparrow.
Hole for a chickadee or nuthatch is 1-1/4"...also too small for a sparrow.
Hole for a tree swallow or eastern bluebird is 1-3/8" wide x 2-1/4 tall...no mention of sparrow exclusion at this size.
Sound like you need above an 1-1/2" dia hole at a minimum by interpolation.
......................Iron Helix
Edited 4/30/2003 7:31:42 AM ET by Iron Helix
I have a book called "Wood structures for Illinois Wildlife" that I could copy and send you, if you like.
It's the book my Son got the purple martin plan from that his group used in their project.
We cherish our friends not for their ability to amuse us, but for ours to amuse them.
you planning on checkin that thread you started with the sanders?
guess there's always next year right?
> My son built a bird house a couple of years ago for scouts
Well there's your problem right there! It's really hard to fit even a small scout into a bird house.
Pete
I tried to resist...really!