In the northern states and Canada winter is a time of stress for our feathered friends that don’t migrate south. Winter birds have to find shelter at night and have to eat enough food during the day to keep their bodies warm in cold climates. You can make a fun family project meeting the needs of winter birds.

A fun project for kids and adults making winter bird roost nesting box.

Winter Roosting Box - Woodlink Audubon Series

Before you start to build a winter bird nesting shelter project you need to know that bird houses used during the winter months are different from those used during the summer. The entrance hole is cut into the bottom to help keep warm air inside of the box and it will have several perches inside.  A roosting box is different from a bird house which allows room for nesting. Roosting boxes are places for birds to wait out bad storms and cold nights. Small songbirds , such as chickadees or titmice, eat a lot during the day and then lose a lot of energy overnight shivering and fluffing out their feathers to keep warm at night. Although they huddle together for warmth sometimes this is not enough. Up to 50% of them can die overnight due to exposure during a bad winter storm.

In the past small birds used hollow in trees to shelter themselves. Unfortunately, there are not too many suitable hollow trees left. Roosting boxes offer an alternative way to keep small birds out of the wind, since they emulate the hollows where the birds normally would shelter themselves. You can buy a roosting box at our website or you can build your own.

Building Your Own Roosting Box

Supplies needed:

1 each  1” X 10” board 12 feet long. I suggest you purchase a cedar board to have a long lasting roosting box that is resistant to rot.

4 each ¼” wooden dowels

Variable speed electric drill or hand drill

A crosscut saw

A saber saw or keyhole saw

Screwdriver and galvanized screws

Wood Glue (Do not use white glue)

Galvanized hinges

First cut out the pieces for the boxes. Measure the back side to be 9 1/2” wide and 30” long, the sides should each be 8” wide and 22” long, front side 9 1/2” wide and 22” long, and the roof 9 ½” wide and 10” long. The bottom floor is 11” X 8”. The front 3” of the bottom should be rounded off so it can be used a perch to enter the box. Cut a 1 ½” or 2 ½” hole in the bottom of the front side. Cut the dowell into 9 ½” long pieces. With your drill make several staggered holes in the sides of the box and affix the perches with the wood glue. Screw the pieces of the box together galvanized screws, which will not rust and stain your roosting box. Attach the roof to the box using the hinges so the top can be opened for cleaning.

Mount the roosting box so its entrance is situated towards the south, if possible. Sunshine will shine on the box though out the day, warming it for the birds to use during the night. If you wish to paint your box, paint it with a dark colored paint which will help attract and trap heat from the sun. Do not paint the inside of a roosting box. If you do, the birds will not use it! Remember; if in dought keep it natural! Hang your box 10 to 15 feet high on a tree or building. Mount your roosting box where it’s easily accessible for cleaning and where accumulations of bird dropping won’t be a problem.

If you do not wish to build you own roosting box you can purchase a Audubon Roosting Box from our website.