How to Build Nest Boxes For Lovebirds

Lovebirds are small birds that bear a strong resemblance to small parrots. A healthy lovebird has a small thick body and the tip of their upper beak is so hooked that it points towards the lovebird's feet. In the United States the most common type of lovebird is one that is called a Peach-faced lovebird, a brilliant green bird with a peach or red face. The black-masked lovebird is currently enjoying a surge in popularity. However they are normally purchased for their beautiful coloring, excessive energy, and hardiness, and not for their speaking ability. Just because they aren't known for speaking doesn't mean that they can't speak. Many owners of love birds that have hand raised are delighted when the little bird starts to mimic words. Once you have found a lovebird that you like it is difficult to resist the urge to breed the little African bird.

Things You'll Need

  • Glue
  • 2 20mm nails
  • 6mm plywood
  • 12mm plywood
  • A wooden dowel
  • A handsaw
  • sandpaper
  • Magic marker
  • Measuring tape
  • Tank cutter-you can purchase a tank cutter at a plumbing store or a hardware store, it is a tool that is used to cut holes in water tanks
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Instructions

  1. How to Build Nest Boxes For Lovebirds

    • 1

      Use the handsaw to cut your pieces of plywood. The 12 mm plywood needs to be cut into 2 separate pieces. The first piece will be cut into a rectangle that measures 9¾" X 6", this will be the top of the nesting box. The second piece of 12mm plywood will form the bottom of your nesting box, when you are finished the piece should measure 9½" X 6". The 6mm plywood needs to be cut into four different pieces. 2 of the pieces will measure 9½" X 7½" and will be the front and back of the nesting box. Cut the third piece in a dimension of 6½" X 6", use your magic marker and write the letter C on this piece of plywood. The last piece of the 6mm plywood should measure 7" X 6", this piece is going to form a side for your nesting box, use your marker and write a D on this piece of wood.

    • 2

      Sandpaper the edges of each piece of plywood before you start to fasten the pieces together.

    • 3

      First your going to cut the entrance hole into the nesting box's front panel. The entrance hole of your lovebird nesting box should be positioned 1 3/4" from the panels top edge and 1 1/2" from the right hand side of the panel. After you have measured, use your marker to mark the spot where you will drill the entrance hole.

    • 4

      Use you tank cutter to cut you entrance hole. The entrance hole should have a circumference of 2¼".

    • 5

      Sandpaper the edges of your entrance hole.

    • 6

      Pick up the piece of wood that you are going to use for the roof of your nesting box. Mark a line that is 3" from one of the short sides. Following this line make a 45 degree cut with either your handsaw or a jigsaw. This cut should slope towards the 3" line.

    • 7

      Set the top of your nesting box off to the side. It is now time to start putting all of the pieces of your nesting box together.

    • 8

      Start with the bottom piece. Run a line of glue along the 9 ½" edge. Before the glue has a chance to dry you want to take the front panel and press the bottom edge to the 9 ½" edge of the bottom. press the 2 panels together until the glue sets.

    • 9

      Locate the D panel and place of strip of glue along both a 6" edge and a 7" edge. Press the 6" side to the bottom panel and press the 7" edge to the front panel, hold it in place until the glue sets. Repeat the same steps with your C panel.

    • 10

      Remember that angle cut you made in the top of your nesting box, your going to glue this to the inside of the front panel, over top of the entrance hole. Make sure that the 45 degree cut slopes back towards your D panel. When this piece is in place the top will fit snugly in place until all of the glue has set enough for you to proceed to the next step.

    • 11

      When you are confident that the glue has set enough for your lovebird nesting box to withstand some bumping and jiggling you need to take the part of the lid that hasn't been glued down. With your measuring tape measure for inches back from the D side. This is where your nails come into play, you are going to drive them into the top and the D side. Flip the nesting box over and do the same thing to the other side of the nesting box. When the nails are in place they will act as a hinge and let you open and close the nesting box whenever you want to clean it.

    • 12

      Drill a small hole in the front of the nesting box, approximately 1" below the entrance hole.

    • 13

      Place the nesting box in your birdcage with your breeding pair of lovebirds.

    • 14

      When your breeding pair of lovebirds is starting to show an interest in their nesting box, you should place some leaves, shreds of newspaper, dried grass, and bits of paper towel. Your lovebirds will pick up these materials and carry them into the nesting box.