How to Build Cow Bird Traps

Cowbirds or brood parasites are the most common reason for the decline of the population of songbirds. Cowbirds can normally be found following herds of animals grazing in a field. They are named brood parasites because they leave their eggs in some other bird's nest for their care and upbringing, and if the host of the nest disapproves of or removes the egg, a female cowbird comes to the nest and destroys the eggs of the host bird. It is crucial to put a cap to the population of cowbirds by trapping them with homemade traps.

Things You'll Need

  • Mesh wire
  • Plywood
  • Cage clips
  • Pliers
  • Door spring
  • Heavy and thick string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out a 20-inch by 20-inch section from the mesh wire.

    • 2

      Bend the section of mesh wire at 4 inches tall, 10 inches tall and 14 inches tall resulting in a square trap of dimensions 4 inches by 6 inches.

    • 3

      Cut out a 6-inch long piece of the mesh wire, and attach it to the sides of the square trap by using cage clips.

    • 4

      Cut out two pieces 4 inches long from the mesh wire and give each of them a bend of 90 degrees in the middle.

    • 5

      Cut out a section that is 1 inch by 4 inch from the plywood and section out a slot of 1 1/4 inches from the midregion.

    • 6

      Cut out a 3-inch section from the mesh wire for the door.

    • 7

      Cut a hole of 12 inches by 12 inches from the top and attach the trap door to cover the hole.

    • 8

      Attach a spring to the upper portion of the trap door.

    • 9

      Cut out a hole of 5 inches by 5 inches near the bottom of the trap for bird removal.

    • 10

      Attach the heavy, thick string to the trap door (from the inside).