Reference Books for Bird Lovers

Bird House Building & Designs

» New Birdhouse Book: Instruction for Building 50 Birdhouses

From fanciful houses that resemble animal figures to more traditional designs, such as dovecote and martin houses, this exquisite book features gorgeous birdhouses and tells the stories behind them. Author Leslie Garisto provides suggestions for using birdhouses as design accents in the garden or home and provides advice on what to look for, where to shop, and how much to pay for authentic birdhouses.

» Simple Birdhouses and Feeders of Wood

Written for all levels of woodworkers, this book contains easy-to-follow instructions, photos, drawings and materials lists. In addition to the projects, the author, Ronald D Tarjany shows how to control unwanted predators. Another chapter is devoted to mounting the birdhouses or feeders and to constructing a mounting pole. Birdhouse size specifications for the different types of birds is also covered.

» Make Your Own Birdhouses & Feeders

All require readily available materials and have clear directions, supported by line drawings. The section on shelters begins with suggestions for supplying birds with materials for nesting. A full-size pattern is included for the peaked nesting box. A handy chart of home preferences notes the required size of the entrance hole, distance from the ground, and location of the box for each bird listed.

The final section shows how to supply feathered friends with drinking and bathing water. This succinct and well-organized book is an exciting introduction to the life requirements and habits of birds. ~ © School Library Journal

» Bird Houses Builder's Manual