When breeding parrots you will need to provide the birds with a nest box where the female can lay her eggs and raise her chicks. Parrots can range in size from small to very large and the nest box needs to be large enough for the bird and chicks to fit in comfortably, but not too large. Most parrots will not use a nest box that is too big. The box should be sized appropriately for the size bird it will house.

Parrots have a natural instinct to build nests in hollow trees in the wild, so most do well in an “L”- or boot-shaped box with a hole cut into the top front to allow the parrot to crawl through the top and build its nest in the bottom of the box. It is best if the box material can withstand bird chewing.

Tools You Will Need To make A  Parrot Nest

• 4 2-inch-thick wood pieces, (18” x 24”)
• 2 2-inch-thick wood pieces, (24” x 24”)
• 2 #10 screws
• 4-inch nails
• Hammer
• Drill
• Drill bit
• Screwdriver
• Tape measure

Step 1

Take two of the 18”x24” pieces of wood and align them up to one another so they create a right angle or L-shape. Align the edges of each piece of wood against one another so that the edges are flush.

Step 2

Drive one nail into the boards using the hammer to attach them. Do this for every 2 to 3 inches upwards along the aligned boards.

Step 3

Align the last 2 18”x14” wood pieces exactly the same way that you did with the first 2 wood pieces. Ensure that the edges create a right angle and hammer in the nails every 2 to 3 inches to attach these last 2 wood pieces.

Step 4

Align each of the 2 completed wood pieces so that they form two open 18-inch sides on the top and the bottom. This should form a four-sided box that is L-shaped.

Step 5

Align the edges so they are flush and attach the boards by hammering one nail into both boards every 2 to 3 inches.

Step 6

Drill a small circle using a drill bit in the middle of one side of the boards to create a hole to be the door. For medium-sized parrots, a hole with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches is best.

Step 7

Place one of the 24”x24” wood pieces on the top side of the box that has an opening. Attach it to the box by hammering nails every 2 to 3 inches along each of the 4 sides. Take the last 24”x24” wood pieces and do exactly the same thing for the bottom side opening.

Step 8

Put nesting material like clean newspaper in the box by carefully pushing small, crumpled pieces through the hole.

Step 9

Drill 2 holes in the board on each end of the L-shape on the back of the box. This is the board that runs parallel to the board with the hole. Take 2 screws and use the drill or a screwdriver to screw the hooks into each hole.

Step 10

Measure the distance between the hooks on the box using a tape measure. Use this distance to make markings with a pen or pencil on a a wall for hanging. Drill 2 nails in the wall where the hooks on the box should hang.

Step 11

Hang the nest box on the the wall and make adjustments where necessary to ensure the box is level.

Tips

Although newspaper is the preferred nesting material for a parrot nest, you can also use pine shavings. Make sure you clean it frequently as pine shavings create dust and may be harmful for chicks.

Warnings

Do not use corn cobs, kitty litter, or tissue paper as nesting material for your parrot nest. Also refrain from using cedar chips since they have the potential to grow moldy and can create respiratory problems for birds.

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