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Family Birdhouse Building Project for Maryland Chickadees
From Birdhouse Building to Conservation Learning
From Birdhouse Building to Conservation Learning
Welcome! My name is Genna, and my team created this project as part of our Girl Scout Bronze Award. I built birdhouses for Black-Capped and Carolina Chickadees to give them a safe place to raise their families—and I want to help you build one too!
These tiny, brilliant birds are some of the smartest in our backyards, but they're losing their natural nesting sites as old trees disappear from our neighborhoods. That's where Chickadee Cottage comes in—my custom-designed birdhouse provides everything these remarkable birds need with the perfect entrance hole size, proper ventilation, and drainage. I've spent months researching and refining this design to create the ultimate chickadee home that really works.
Through this project, I've learned that meaningful conservation can happen right in our own backyards, one small action at a time. My mission is simple: show everyone how easy and rewarding it is to help chickadees thrive, whether you're 8 or 80. Ready to give a chickadee family their forever home?
Perfect Family Project: Build Chickadee Cottages Together
Perfect Family Project: Build Chickadee Cottages Together
Genna's Chickadee Cottage design is perfect for families with kids! This hands-on woodworking project teaches children about bird biology, habitat needs, and conservation while creating real homes for Maryland's chickadees. Great for scout badge projects, homeschool STEM activities, and family bonding time.
What kids learn: Bird identification, measuring and cutting skills, habitat requirements, seasonal bird behavior, and the satisfaction of helping wildlife in their own backyard.
why the carolina chickadee?
why the carolina chickadee?
Our backyard has always been kind of a wild little paradise. We have tall oak trees, butterfly bushes, milkweed, and even wild wineberry bushes—so birds and other wildlife love visiting. My dad is super proud of his backyard bird feeders, and for Father’s Day, my mom gave him a camera feeder so we could all watch the birds up close. She also thought it would be a fun learning project for me and my little sister, Maddie (she’s six). One day, the camera caught the cutest little black, gray, and white bird hopping around with tons of personality. I couldn’t stop watching the video! My mom and I looked through our Audubon bird guide to figure out what it was, and we found out it was a Carolina Chickadee. I fell in love with it right away. I started learning more and more about chickadees, and that’s when I knew I wanted to choose them for my Girl Scout Silver Award project. They’re small but smart, and they help nature so much. I wanted to build something that could help them in return.
Here's a video that was captured from our backyard!
about carolina chickadees
about carolina chickadees
Carolina Chickadees are tiny but amazing birds with bold personalities and clever habits. They live right here in Maryland all year long, nesting inside of trees or birdhouses like mine. These little birds have black caps, white cheeks, and soft gray feathers, and they’re known for their “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. In spring, chickadees raise their babies—usually 5 to 8 chicks at a time—and both parents take care of them until they’re ready to leave the nest. They eat insects, seeds, berries, and even hide food for later! Chickadees are important for keeping forests healthy, but they’re losing safe nesting spaces. That’s why I built Chickadee Cottage—to give them a cozy, protected home and teach others how to help too.
Educational Opportunities for Kids:
- Practice bird identification skills with field marks
- Learn about non-migratory vs. migratory birds
- Understand predator-prey relationships in ecosystems
- Track seasonal behavior changes through the year
- Connect local birds to broader conservation concepts
All about the carolina chickadee
All about the carolina chickadee
What is a Carolina Chickadee?
Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) are small songbirds native to the southeastern United States, including Maryland. They are part of the tit family and are known for their curious, social behavior and distinctive call: "chick-a-dee-dee-dee."
What They Look Like
They have a black cap and bib, white cheeks, gray wings and back, and soft buff-colored underparts. They are about 4 to 5 inches long and weigh less than half an ounce. Despite their tiny size, they are bold and intelligent birds often spotted at feeders.
Geographical Range
Carolina Chickadees are found throughout the southeastern U.S., from New Jersey to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas. They are non-migratory, meaning they live in the same region year-round.
Ideal Habitat
They prefer deciduous and mixed forests, wooded suburbs, and areas with plenty of trees. They nest in natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes, but also readily use nest boxes in quiet, shaded areas.
Raising Young
Carolina Chickadees usually breed between March and May in Maryland. They typically have 1 brood per year, though occasionally a second brood can occur. A female lays 5 to 8 eggs per clutch. She incubates the eggs for about 12–15 days, and both parents feed the chicks once they hatch. The chicks fledge (leave the nest) about 16–19 days after hatching.
What They Eat
Their diet includes insects, caterpillars, spiders, seeds, and berries. In winter, they rely more on seeds and suet at feeders. They are known for hiding food in bark and remembering the exact spot later!
Why They Matter
Why They Matter
1. Natural Pest Control
Chickadees play an important role in controlling insect populations. They eat caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and other pests that can damage trees and garden plants. By feeding on these insects, chickadees help keep the ecosystem balanced and healthy.
2. Seed Dispersal
When chickadees snack on seeds and berries, they sometimes carry them to new places. This helps spread native plants and supports forest regeneration. As they move seeds around, chickadees help forests grow stronger and more diverse.
3. Educational Value
Because chickadees are friendly and easy to spot, they’re a great way to teach kids and adults about birds and the environment. Watching chickadees helps people connect with nature and learn how important it is to protect even the smallest wildlife.
4. Ecosystem Indicators
Chickadees are very sensitive to changes in their environment. If there are fewer chickadees in an area, it could be a sign that something is wrong—like pollution, habitat loss, or a lack of food. Paying attention to them helps scientists and conservationists track the health of ecosystems.
5. They Inspire Conservation
Because chickadees often live close to people, they remind us that nature is all around us. Projects like Chickadee Cottage show how easy it is to take action for local wildlife. When people see chickadees using a birdhouse they built, they feel proud and inspired to do more.
Fun Facts
Fun Facts
They only live about 2–5 years in the wild
Their brain grows in fall to help store food locations!
They use nest boxes like mine or cavities made by woodpeckers
They can remember hundreds of hiding spots for their food
Chickadees are known to form lifelong pair bonds
Their calls change slightly depending on the situation—more "dee-dees" means more danger!
They can lower their body temperature at night to save energy
Chickadees will join mixed flocks with other small birds in winter
They start scouting nesting spots in late winter
They use soft materials like moss, fur, or plant fluff to line their nests
Amazing Chickadee Science for Kids:
- Memory Masters: Their brains actually grow in fall to remember hundreds of food hiding spots! (Great lesson about animal adaptation)
- Smart Communicators: More "dee-dees" in their call means more danger nearby (Teaches animal communication)
- Energy Savers: They lower body temperature at night like a natural thermostat (Introduces thermoregulation concepts)
- Team Players: Join mixed flocks in winter for better survival (Demonstrates cooperation in nature)
Additional references
Additional references
Carolina Chickadees are small, clever songbirds that live right here in Maryland. They play an important role in our ecosystem by eating insects and helping plants grow. But they are losing safe nesting spaces. Chickadee Cottage is my solution to help them by building birdhouses they can use year after year.
Click here to download the Chickadee Cottage Blueprint (PDF)
Scan the QR code on the birdhouse to return to this page anytime!
How to Build a Chickadee Birdhouse
How to Build a Chickadee Birdhouse
Everything you need to build your own birdhouse!
Materials List
Materials List
Cedar Dog Ear Fence Picket (6ft tall, 5 1/2" wide, 5/8" thick)
1 1/2" Finishing Nails (or brad nails / nailer)
Wood Glue
Exterior hinges (Optional for access inside)
Tools Needed
Tools Needed
Saw
(Hand, Miter, or Circular)
Tape Measure
Pencil
Hammer
Hole saw or Jig saw (Not required but the job will be easier)
Species-Specific Notes
Species-Specific Notes
Why These Dimensions Matter
Why These Dimensions Matter
1 1/8" hole: Perfect size for chickadees while excluding house sparrows and starlings
4×4" floor: Matches natural cavity preferences
6" entrance height: Provides protection while allowing easy access
Nesting Behavior
Nesting Behavior
Season: March through August (2-3 broods possible)
Nest material: Moss, fur, plant fibers, feathers
Eggs: 6-8 white eggs with brown spots
Incubation: 12-13 days
Building Dreams Together
Building Dreams Together
There's something magical about watching a dream take shape through the hands of family. Our latest video chronicles the incredible journey of Genna and her Dad as they transform raw materials into the enchanting Chickadee Cottage. From laying the first foundation stones to adding the final decorative touches, this father-daughter duo proves that the best construction projects aren't just about building structures—they're about building memories. Through a carefully curated collection of photos and video clips, you'll witness every milestone of this labor of love, from the early morning planning sessions to the triumphant moment when they stepped back to admire their completed cottage. This isn't just a construction story; it's a testament to the power of working together, the joy of creating something beautiful with your own hands, and the irreplaceable bond between a parent and child. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or simply someone who believes in the magic of family projects, Genna and Dad's Chickadee Cottage journey will inspire you to dream, build, and create alongside the people who matter most.
Watch the Nest (Live Feed)
Watch the Nest (Live Feed)
Watch a real Chickadee family grow in their new home!
Live Feed:
(Livestream will be here once available)
This birdhouse is located in a quiet area of my backyard where Chickadees like to explore. If they decide to nest here, you can come back and watch their journey from eggs to baby birds!
Reminder:
Please enjoy from a distance—these birds need peace and quiet to raise their babies.
Turn Your Chickadee Cottage into a Learning Lab
Turn Your Chickadee Cottage into a Learning Lab
Family Observation Activities:
- Daily Nest Check Chart: Track activity without disturbing birds
- Behavior Journal: Record feeding patterns, calls, and interactions
- Photography Project: Document the complete nesting cycle
- Citizen Science: Report nesting success to eBird or local Audubon
- Seasonal Study: Compare chickadee behavior across different months
Perfect for: Scout nature badges, homeschool biology units, family science projects, and teaching kids about wildlife observation ethics.
Why this matters
Why this matters
Why I care—and how you can help too.
I've always loved animals and being outside in nature. When I learned that Carolina Chickadees are losing nesting places because of tree removal and development, I knew I wanted to help. These birds aren't just cute—they're important. Chickadees help protect forests by eating bugs that damage plants, and they spread seeds that help grow more trees. They even help scientists monitor how healthy our environment is. I built Chickadee Cottage because I wanted to create a safe home for them—and I hope it inspires others to do the same. Building a birdhouse may seem like a small thing, but it's a big way to show you care. And when more people start paying attention to the birds around them, we all become better stewards of nature.
From Chickadee Cottage to Complete Conservation
From Chickadee Cottage to Complete Conservation
Building a chickadee house is just the beginning of your family's conservation adventure:
1. Start Here: Build Genna's Chickadee Cottage design
2. Add Habitat: Plant native Maryland plants that chickadees love
3. Expand Impact: Build houses for other Maryland bird species
4. Track Success: Join citizen science projects to document your results
5. Teach Others: Share your experience with other families
Chickadees in Maryland: What Kids Should Know
Chickadees in Maryland: What Kids Should Know
Maryland-Specific Facts:
- Carolina Chickadees live in Maryland year-round - no migration needed!
- They're found throughout Maryland from Western mountains to Eastern Shore
- Peak nesting season in Maryland: March through July
- They help control insects that damage Maryland's native plants
- Part of mixed winter flocks with other Maryland resident birds
Great for teaching kids about: Maryland ecosystems, resident vs. migratory birds, and how local wildlife adapts to regional climate.
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