How To DIY Your Own Birdhouse With A Camera

There seem to be as many birdhouse plans online as there are birds. You can build nest boxes that aren’t much more complicated than screwing a piece of pipe to a tree, you can construct an elaborate Victorian bird mansion, or go for something in between. Our favorite design is a one-board birdhouse as demonstrated by Bob Clagett on his “I Like to Make Stuff” YouTube channel. The tutorial is squarely aimed at kids, but the design is sound and simple enough for anyone to do, even with limited time and tools. But if you’re interested in hosting a particular bird species, NestWatch’s Right Bird, Right House tool will help you choose the right birdhouse design, and it flags species that are in decline for your particular region. Just remember to make sure your camera will work with your chosen design before you start building.

Here are some important tips for building the nest box: Use untreated wood and avoid paint, stains, and sealants that might be toxic. If you must seal a joint to protect your camera, use either waterproofing tape or a metal strip to cap the joint. Your design should have a sloped roof and drainage holes to shed water, ventilation holes for airflow, and the right entrance hole size for your birdhouse, which matters if you want to attract specific birds. Assemble it with galvanized screws, which you can remove later to clean your birdhouse the best way.