Req 9 — Build for Birds

For this requirement, you choose one project and build or design it. For every option, you must also explain:

• What birds you hope to attract and why those species
• What maintenance your project requires to stay effective

Read through all five options and pick the one that fits your situation best.

Option A — Build a Bird Feeder

Build a bird feeder and place it in an appropriate location in your yard or another suitable spot.

What to Consider

The type of feeder you build determines which birds visit. A platform feeder attracts ground-feeding species like juncos and sparrows. A tube feeder with small perches attracts finches and chickadees. A suet cage attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens.

Placement Tips

• Place feeders within 3 feet of a window or more than 30 feet away — distances in between are the most dangerous for window strikes.
• Position near cover (trees or shrubs within 10–15 feet) so birds have a quick escape route from predators.
• Keep feeders at least 5 feet off the ground to reduce squirrel and cat access.

Maintenance

• Refill regularly — empty feeders teach birds to stop coming.
• Clean the feeder every two weeks with a dilute bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) to prevent disease.
• Remove old, wet, or moldy seed promptly.
• Clear the area below the feeder of seed hulls to prevent mold growth.

Option B — Build a Birdbath

Build a birdbath and place it in an appropriate location.

What to Consider

All birds need water — for drinking and for bathing (which keeps their feathers in good condition). A birdbath attracts species that might not visit a feeder, including warblers, thrushes, and tanagers. Moving water (a small fountain or dripper) is especially attractive because birds can hear it from a distance.

Design Tips

• Keep the water shallow — no deeper than 2–3 inches at the deepest point. Place a flat stone in the center to give small birds a place to stand.
• Rough surfaces are better than smooth ones — birds need traction.
• Place the birdbath in a shaded area to keep algae growth down and water temperature comfortable.

Maintenance

• Change the water every 2–3 days to prevent mosquito breeding and algae growth.
• Scrub the basin weekly with a stiff brush (no soap).
• In freezing weather, use a birdbath heater or bring the bath indoors. Do not add antifreeze — it is toxic to birds.

Option C — Build a Backyard Sanctuary

Create a backyard bird sanctuary by planting trees and shrubs that provide food and cover.

What to Consider

A backyard sanctuary goes beyond feeders and birdbaths. You are creating a mini habitat — a place where birds can find natural food (berries, seeds, insects attracted by the plants), shelter from weather and predators, and potential nesting sites.

Planning Your Sanctuary

• Choose native plants. Native species produce the berries and attract the insects that local birds have evolved to eat. Non-native ornamental plants often offer little food value.
• Plant in layers. Use tall trees for canopy cover, mid-sized shrubs for nesting and berries, and low groundcover for ground-feeding birds.
• Include evergreens. Conifers provide year-round cover and winter shelter — critical for birds in cold climates.
• Leave some “messy” areas. Brush piles, leaf litter, and standing dead trees (snags) provide insect habitat and nesting sites.

Maintenance

• Water new plantings until established.
• Avoid pesticides — they kill the insects birds eat and can poison the birds directly.
• Prune only when necessary, and avoid pruning during nesting season (spring through mid-summer).

Option D — Build a Nest Box

Build a birdhouse (nest box) for a species of your choice using plans approved by your counselor.

What to Consider

Not all birds use nest boxes — only cavity-nesting species like bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, swallows, and some owls. The entrance hole size determines which species can use the box and which are excluded.

Design Tips

• Use untreated wood (cedar or pine) — paint and chemicals can harm nesting birds.
• Include drainage holes in the bottom and ventilation slots near the top.
• Make the front panel removable or hinged for easy cleaning.
• Do not include a perch below the entrance — perches help predators and House Sparrows more than they help target species.

Maintenance

• Clean the box after each nesting season (late fall). Remove old nesting material.
• Check for damage from weather, woodpeckers, or predators. Repair as needed.
• Monitor during nesting season to track occupancy and success.

Option E — Design a Habitat Plan

Describe the elements of a backyard bird habitat for a given area and draw a plan, including lists of birds you hope to attract, plantings for food and cover, and nesting features.

What to Consider

This option is about planning rather than building. You will create a detailed design for a bird-friendly habitat — even if you do not plant it right away. This is a great choice if you enjoy design and want to think strategically about bird habitat.

Elements to Include in Your Plan

Drawing Your Plan

Create a bird’s-eye-view sketch of the area showing where each feature goes. Label each planting with the species name and note what it provides (food, cover, nesting). Include a legend and a list of target bird species.

You have created something tangible to help birds. Now let’s turn to a more serious topic — the conservation status of bird species and what threatens their survival.