The bride duck (Aix sponsa) is a bird with a colorful plumage that usually nests in the holes of the trees abandoned by the woodpeckers, but it also adapts easily to a house-nest of the right size and placed in the right place. At the beginning of this century, the bride duck population was in decline. With a little effort, and basic woodworking tools, today you can contribute to the repopulation of these elegant birds, simply by building a nest-house to house the specimens of your area.
Steps
Step 1. Study the drawing and get the necessary materials and tools
A wooden plank 28.5 cm wide and 3.65 meters long will be enough to build the little house. The illustration below shows you how to split the wood (click on the image to enlarge it). It is preferable to use water resistant wood, such as cedar.
Step 2. Arrange the drawing on the board and with a pencil mark the different parts to be cut
Remember to measure at least twice and cut only once.
Step 3. Cut the materials to the exact size
NOTE: The rear edge of the roof must be cut with the saw at an angle of 20 degrees, so that it rests perfectly on the back side of the house. NOTE: Front side is 12.7mm longer in the illustration. With the saw it cuts off the 12.7mm, at an angle of 20 degrees (with an outward tilt), so that it fits perfectly with the roof, making it waterproof.
After you have cut the whole plank, you should have obtained the following pieces: a back side, a front side, two sides, the floor, the roof
Step 4. Test, putting all the parts together, and check the measurements and angles
Before using screws, drilling and screwing in, it is important to make sure that all parts and corners fit together perfectly. This is the time to correct any mistakes.
Step 5. Create an entry hole
It is easier to drill the hole "before" assembling the house. Make a hole 7.6cm high x 10.2cm wide; it will let ducks in and keep predators like raccoons out. You can make a hole of this size by making two of 7.6 cm each with a hole saw, making them next to each other, slightly overlapping, as in the image. Place the center of the hole 48cm above the base of the front side.
- The hole will be sharper if you pierce both sides of the axis.
- Use a rasp or similar tool to file the oval opening.
Step 6. Create traction
Roughen the surface outside the house entrance. Ducklings will need a rough surface to hold onto when attempting to leave the nest, and mother duck will like to land on it. You can create it by attaching a screen or a net to the plank, but the best result is achieved by making shallow cuts with the saw, inside and outside the front of the house.
Step 7. Start assembling
Now you can start putting the prepared parts together. You can use ring shank nails, but the external threaded screws (5cm) will hold the house together better and longer, giving it a strength that can withstand the elements for several years. To avoid chipping or breaking the wood, it is recommended to drill a hole first.
Step 8. After drilling the hole, insert the screw
If you can, use an electric screwdriver for the screws as well, it's more convenient.
Step 9. Create drain
Retract the back of the house about 6mm from the base to create a threshold and prevent the wood from rotting. Make small holes in the base or cut corners about 6mm to create ventilation and drainage.
Step 10. Create an access point
One of the two side parts should be cut to create an entrance door which can be accessed to clean the house when necessary. Hinges can be used, but it is cheaper to use nails firmly nailed near the top of the door opening as a pivot. NOTE: the plank in the example has been cut at a 20 degree angle to prevent infiltration into the house (water cannot flow upwards!).
Step 11. Use sturdy wire to loop around the door screws to keep it tightly closed
Raccoons know how to open normal latches.
A 2.5 x 28.5 cm strip can be used to hold the back of the roof in place and prevent water infiltration (see the strip in the final image)
Step 12. Double check that the house is ready to be placed outside
If everything is fine, place it in a suitable place to attract the bride duck. Ducks Unlimited recommends placing bridal duck houses on wooden posts or iron poles equipped with anti-predator grills.
- Houses installed on poles that are in the water should be positioned at least 1.5 meters above the water level.
- The houses can be installed in wooded areas, not too far from the water (maximum 1.8 meters), on trees or on poles about 2.4 meters high, but preferably 6 meters high. To reduce the risk of predation, the houses should be approximately 9 to 30 meters away from the water surface.
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Remember to install the house:
- In a habitat suitable for broods;
- Near wetlands protected by vegetation;
- Where there is an abundant supply of invertebrates to eat.
- Do not forget to add a layer of about 10 cm of wood chips to the nest. You can of course use scraps from the electric saw or buy them (cedar bark) from pet stores.
Advice
- Use external threaded screws.
- Use water resistant wood.
- Measure twice, cut once.
