Sparrow trap experiment

[KellyG]

I built a sparrow trap out of a plastic tote from the Dollar Store. I used 2 Spar-o-doors mounted on the inside of the box. I wanted to build a more permanent trap house or find an old Trio house, but decided to give this a try. I put a piece of 1/4" plywood in the bottom to reinforce the bottom for a pipe flange/conduit fiting. The trap is mounted on a 10 foot piece of 3/4" conduit that is driven in the ground a couple of feet. I use a small step ladder to manage the trap. I might need to ad perches, but caught a male that had avoided my gourd traps that are very near a mesquite tree. I lowered the 2 gourds and put this trap near them and caught the male sparrow this morning that was trying real hard to attract a mate. I have 2 more spar-o-doors and plan to make another trap and will use them heavily next Spring before I open up my martin housing.

[Caroline94535-ND]

I think you're brilliant!

It's a wonderful trap because it has already captured a male sparrow. What more can you ask from a trap!

How do you remove the sparrows without them escaping? The only thing I might change if I were to make a trap like this is to add "access ports" so you could unscrew the port lid, reach in, and extract the HOSP. I'd install them at the back, opposite the two trap entries.

I have a pair of the nasty things hanging around my gourds now that the Purple Martins have started showing up.

I can't shoot here in town, but I will eventually catch them.

[KellyG]

Thanks Caroline, the Spar-o-door comes with a plastic tube that has a couple of clips to attach it to the entrance. After you attach it, you turn the wing nut and the trap door opens. The sparrow then flies into a plastic bag held on the tube with a rubber band. Tapping on the house will get them to fly out. The spar-o-door is very high quality and well thought out.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Very good idea, and you already caught a sparrow. About the perches, I would add a small perch under each hole, seems like all birds like a perch, they sit on them a lot, and it may make the trap a bit more attractive.

[KathyF]

Thanks, Kelly! I love CHEAP & EASY plans like this! I know what I'm going to do with my spar-o-door now!!!! WOOT!