Since the end product will be used for trapping small birds, I had assumed that there really wouldn't be any 'heavy duty' materials needed for the trap. And for this, I bought the cheapest wire screen I could find. I mean how strong can a sparrow or some other small birds be, to destroy the trap? Of course, I have planned on setting the above ground, overhead actually, far from the ground and away from my dog.
My dog gets all curious and fired up when seeing flapping birds, especially those in distress. So who knows what she'll do to the trap in order to get to the birds. I'm guessing rolling and gouging on it, and deforming the trap as a result.
So my goal was to keep it simple. It's a bird trap for catching birds, not a fancy bird cage for displaying them to visitors.
Materials for Making the DIY Bird Trap
- Wire Screen Sheet - 1/2" mesh, 36" wide x 80" long
The wire screen is the cheapest I could find. It is sold in 2 width sizes: 3 feet rolls and 4 feet rolls. It is priced by the meter and will cut your order accordingly. As I wasn't sure yet how much material I would need, I just asked for 2 meters of the 3 feet width.
- Insulated Solid Strand Wire - 8" long
The insulated solid strand wire will be used as a handle for the completed bird trap. You could use any ordinary wire, but I thought the insulation would add some sort of protection against rusting. This is especially because you will be holding this handle and the moist sweat from your fingers would easily encourage rusting.
- Plastic Tubing - 1/8" dia. 16" long
The plastic tubing will be used to line the inside edges of the access door entrance. Without it, the cut edges of the wire screen could easily scratch your skin. Plastic tubing may be bought in hardware or garden supply stores.
- Insulated Thin Wire - 12" long
There are plenty of uses for thin wires. In this project the wire will be used in the locking mechanism for the bird trap's access door. It will also be used to secure the plastic tubing that will line the edge of the the access door's entrance.
- Aluminum or GI sheet - 1/2" x 1 1/2"
A piece of aluminum or GI sheet will be used as part of the bird trap's access door locking mechanism.
- Masking Tape
Masking tape is used to mark the wire screen. New wire screen sheets are typically shiny and marking by pen markers may not be visible enough.
Tools for Making the DIY Bird Trap
- Measuring Tape
To be used mainly for measuring the parts of the wire screen that will be cut.
- Diagonal Cutting Pliers or Tin Snips
For cutting the wire screen.
- Long-Nose Pliers
For bending the wires of the screen.
- Slip Joint Pliers
For twisting wires of the screen together in order to join them. Shown below, from left to right: Diagonal Cutting Pliers, Long-Nose Pliers, Slip-Joint Pliers
- Carpenter Level or Steel Ruler
For measuring, as well as to assist in bending the wire screen to create panels.
Other articles in this series (click on the links below:)
Homemade Bird Trap - Build Plans & How it Works
Homemade Bird Trap - Materials and Tools (this article)
Homemade Bird Trap - Building the Housing
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Funnels
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Guard Rails
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Access Hole
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Door and Lock
Homemade Bird Trap - Making the Carrying Handle and Restraints
Homemade Bird Trap - Setting the Trap
Homemade Bird Trap - Painting the Cage
Homemade Bird Trap - Making a Perch for the Cage
Homemade Bird Trap - Pre-Baiting Sparrows
Homemade Bird Trap - Retrieving Trapped Birds
Homemade Bird Trap - Disposing Trapped Sparrows
Sparrow Trap by Day, Rat Trap by Night
Damage Caused by Sparrows
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