How to Make a Nesting Box for Blue & Gold Macaws

Blue and gold macaws are a variety of parrot native to South America. The colorful birds breed well in captivity and are often bred in zoos and by private owners. Macaws nest in boxes. In the wild they construct their own nests, but in captivity, the birds nest in boxes provided for them. The box must be large because two birds must be able to fit comfortably inside it. A box measuring 2 feet by 3 feet is usually large enough to provide a comfortable nesting environment for macaws.

Things You'll Need

  • ½-inch-thick plywood
  • Measuring tape
  • Table saw
  • 2-inch wood screws
  • Power screwdriver
  • Jigsaw
  • Sandpaper
  • 2 hinges
  • ½-inch screws
  • Latch
  • Steel mesh
  • Staple gun and staples
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut six pieces for the nesting box from plywood. Cut four 2-by-3-foot pieces of board from 1/2-inch plywood. Cut two 23.5-inch square pieces from the same plywood.

    • 2

      Screw the two small square pieces to the sides of one of the larger rectangle pieces. Align the 23-inch side with the 2-foot side. Leave 1/2-inch gap on either side of the 2-foot pieces.

    • 3

      Place two more 2-by-3-foot boards along the two other sides of the base board. Screw the boards in place with wood screws. This completes the sides of the box.

    • 4

      Cut an 8-inch round hole into the front side of the box. Use a jigsaw to cut the opening and smooth it out with sandpaper.

    • 5

      Screw two hinges to the edge of the remaining board using 1/2-inch screws. Screw the other half of the hinges to the back of the box. Screw a latch to the front of the box so the macaws cannot open the box on their own.

    • 6

      Cover the outside of the box with metal mesh so that the birds cannot chew through the wood. Use staples to secure the mesh to the box.