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How to Make Wood Duck Boxes

Wood ducks, with their crested heads and variety of colors, are part of the Asian Mandarin duck genus. Wood ducks are one of the few ducks in North America that nest in trees. Natural nesting grounds for wood ducks are dwindling, which results in a need for wooden nesting boxes.

Wood ducks, which nest between early March and early June, begin searching for a good nesting spot as early as mid-February. Nesting boxes should be hung in place by the end of the winter or early spring at the latest.

Things You'll Need

1 board, 1 inch by 11 1/2 inches by 12 inches (top piece)
1 board, 1 inch by 11 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches (bottom piece)
1 board, 1 inch by 11 1/2 inches by 21 inches (front piece)
1 board, 1 inch by 11 1/2 inches by 30 inches (back piece)
2 boards, 1 inch by 9 1/2 inches by 22 inches (side pieces)
1 board, 1 inch by 2 inches by 11 1/2 inches (cleat piece)
Wood cutter
Rustproof 1/4-inch wire mesh hardware cloth, 3 inches by 12 inches
Aluminum or galvanized 2-inch nails
Hammer
Drill with 3/8-inch drill bit
Roundhead wood screw, 1 1/4 inch
Screwdriver
Wood shavings
Metal predator shield

Instructions

- 1
  Measure 2 inches down from the top of the front piece. Draw a small line at the 2-inch mark in the center of the wood. Just below the mark, cut an oval hole measuring 3 1/2 inches by 4 inches.
- 2
  Turn the front piece over and place the mesh hardware cloth over the inside of the wood, directly below the hole. Nail it to the wood.
- 3
  Measure down 1 1/4 inches from the top of the side piece. Draw a small line at each corner. Drill ventilation holes in the top corners of the wood, just beneath the pencil marks. Repeat for the other side piece.
- 4
  Drill a drain hole in each corner of the bottom piece.
- 5
  Measure up 4 inches from the bottom of the back piece. Draw a small line at the 4-inch mark. Align the back piece with the bottom piece and nail them together.
- 6
  Align the side piece with the bottom and back pieces and hammer into place. Repeat with other side piece. Align the front piece with the bottom and side pieces. Hammer into place.
- 7
  Align the cleat vertically along the top of the back piece. Nail the cleat into place, but do not nail all the way down. Leave a 1-inch space between the cleat and the back of box.
- 8
  Align the top piece with the front and back pieces, making sure the top piece fits under the cleat. Attach the cleat to the front piece with the wood screw. Adjust the top piece so it covers the opening on top yet remains able to slide open so you can clean the box.
- 9
  Place 4 to 6 inches of wood shavings inside box to provide adequate nesting material. Replace with fresh shavings as needed, generally once per year.

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