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Two Songbird Enclosures 12’ x 26’ x 8’

WildCare accepts over a thousand songbirds each year. Many of these birds are orphaned babies that need room to practice flying and build up their endurance for survival in the wild. Over the years we have realized that many songbird species can’t be housed with other species because of their aggressive tendencies. For example, chickadees that are very small are also very aggressive and will beat up much bigger birds. Many species of songbirds require specialized housing. An example is woodpeckers, which need to climb on vertical surfaces and require plenty of tree trunks for shelter. As an accredited member of the Association of Sanctuaries, WildCare permanently houses birds that will never be able to be released. In doing so, WildCare must provide ample space and natural environments for housing.

Inside the enclosures

The den boxes will be inside the shelters with some natural perching material. The floors will be natural dirt and grasses. We plan to place these enclosures over a few small cedars that are plentiful at the facility to give natural shelter and hiding places for the birds. In addition, artificial Christmas trees are used for additional perching and cover.

WildCare has already built one enclosure with this design. The labor involved is moderately simple and can be completed with volunteers. The enclosure is well-suited for small birds and should hold up over the years. We are very pleased with the existing enclosure and hope to have two more funded and built in 2005.

Budget for One 12’ x 26’ x 8’ Songbird Enclosure

$1200 Assembled metal carport 12’ x 26’ x 8’ with a solid metal roof and a metal shelter on the north end. The shelter area will have den boxes so they are comfortable in the colder nights or in the rain.

$150 2 rolls of ½” x 1” 4’ tall welded wire for the sides.

$200 Aviary netting for interior walls

$100 Double-door entry so that the birds are not accidentally released

$150 Plumbing and electricity

$150 Wood den boxes, perching and platforms inside the shelter

Total: $ 1,950 per enclosure