BIRD HOUSES

Attracting birds to your backyard can be a most fascinating hobby.  Bird Feeders are an excellent way to bring birds to your area, and by adding a Bird House or Nesting Box, you can also witness their amazing nesting habits.  Over 50 species of North American birds are known to use Bird Houses, so why not give it a try?   Below are some QUESTIONS to consider, and facts and tips that will help you attract birds to your Backyard Bird House.

Which Birds use a Bird House for nesting and do I have these in my area?

When do I put up a Bird House?

Where should I place the Bird House?

What are the top features of an effective Bird House?

What size should the Entrance Hole be for each species?

What do I do about Unwanted Guests at my Bird House?

More tips and facts about Bird Houses

WHICH BIRDS USE A BIRD HOUSE FOR NESTING AND DO I HAVE THESE SPECIES IN MY AREA?

BIRDS THAT USE BIRD HOUSES TO RAISE THEIR BABIES:

WHEN DO I PUT UP A BIRD HOUSE?

Wild birds like to survey the property before they move in.  Fall is a good time to put out a clean birdhouse so, as they do their fall feeding frenzy, they can get accustomed to the new digs.  If you are waiting until spring, make it Early Spring, as you may not see the birds before it is nesting season.  Some species nest as early as February.

WHERE SHOULD I PLACE THE BIRD HOUSE? 

Place at a height that is convenient for you to see and to clean.

• Houses mounted on a pole are less vulnerable to predators than ones attached to tress trunks or hung from branches.  A smooth and slippery pole discourage predators.

• Don't put nesting boxes near bird feeders.

• If possible, place bird house near a berried bush or other natural habitat.

• Don't put more than one box in a tree, unless the tree is extremely large or the boxes are for different species.

• If you have very hot summers, face the entrance holes of your boxes north or east to avoid overheating the box.

• Place entrance hole away from prevailing winds and storms in your area.

• Place where predators, including house cats, are least likely to disturb.

• Use no more than four small nest boxes for any one species or one large box per acre.

WHAT ARE THE TOP FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE BIRD HOUSE?

Choose a Quality Bird House that is built for effective nesting, and not just because it is cute.  If the bird house has these features and is attractive or decorative, all the better.

 Size of Entrance Hole - Most common hole-nesting birds can use an entrance hole 1 inche in diameter.  A hole this size will help keep out Starlings and other predators.  See chart below for specifics.

No Perch - Birds do not need a perch outside their door.  A perch may attract House Sparrow or other birds to take over the nest.

Dimensions - The inside floor dimensions of the box should be at least 4 by 4 inches so there is room for the young to develop.

Box Height - The distance from the floor to the bottom of the entrance hole should be at least 5 inches to keep the young well down in the box and away from predators that may approach the entrance hole.

Ability to Open - An opening from the front, top or side helps you to monitor the progress and to clean out the box at the end of each season.

Ventilation - Holes or slits at the top of the box somewhere lets hot air out when the sun warms the box during summer.

Drainage Holes - Holes at the bottom help to drain out water.

Attaching the Box - Look for a way to attach the nesting box such as a pole attachment, brackets, holes or a hook for hanging. 

Materials - If the box is wood or similar material, it should be at least 1 inch thick to provide insulation from heat and cold. Purple Martin houses can be made of metal.

Roof Overhang - The roof can provide an overhang of 1 to 2 inches to shade the entrance and help keep the rain out.

WHAT SIZE SHOULD THE ENTRANCE HOLE BE FOR EACH BIRD SPECIES?

BIRD HOUSE ENTRANCE HOLE SIZE CHART

If you are trying to attract a specific species to a Bird House, use these guidelines for the size of the entrance hole:

Nuthatch (1-1.25 inches)

Chickadee (1.125 inches)

Titmouse (1.25 inches)

Beswick?s Wren (1.25 inches)

Downy Woodpecker (1.25 inches)

Bluebird (1.5 inches)

Carolina Wren (1.5 inches)

Swallow (1.5 inches)

Hairy Woodpecker (1.5 inches)

Crested Flycatcher (2 inches)

Red-Headed Woodpecker (2 inches)

Purple Martin (crescent shape)

Flicker (2.5 inches)

Mourning Dove (half side of gourd open)

Barn Swallow (half side of gourd open)

Phoebe (half side of gourd open)

Robin (half side of gourd open)

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT UNWANTED GUESTS AT MY BIRD HOUSE?

Evict House Sparrows and Starlings.  Many birds are protected by federal and state laws, so it is unlawful to harm or harass species such as hawks, owls, falcons, crows, grackles, jays and shrikes in some areas.

If snakes or squirrels are threatening the nest, use a baffle or guard on the pole or over the entrance hole.  Some suggest covering a metal bird house pole with PVC, and then smearing the PVC with Vaseline and cayenne pepper.  Do not use automotive grease, as it can be lethal to wildlife. 

If insects infest the nest, clean the bugs out, then soap the inside top of the box.  Do not use chemical sprays!

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BIRD HOUSES

• Some birds don't use the bird house for raising baby birds, but may use it only for roosting.  If you notice activity, but no nest, they may be using it to spend the night, especially in cold winter nights where their body heat inside the nesting box protects them from severe cold.

• Purple Martins are dependent on manmade homes, a phenomenon that has evolved over the years due to generational imprinting.  It can be a great benefit to attract the Purple Martin to your area because they are prolific bug eaters.  Some say: ?Purple Martins by day, and Bats by Night? to make a noticeable difference in the amount of bugs.  By providing them with a suitable nesting box, you benefit in the bug department!

• Hummingbirds do not share the responsibility of nesting with their mates.  The female hummingbird goes it alone as she builds the nest, lays the eggs, incubates the eggs, raises the baby birds and defends her territory.  She even chases the male hummingbird away from the nest.

• The Mourning Dove is one species of bird that shares the task.  They both build the nest and raise the baby birds.  The female builds the nest with material the male brings her.  Incubation responsibilities are divided up equally, the male usually sitting during the day and the female during the night.

• Purple Martins and Bats raise their young with the help of a community of others in their species.

• The Tufted Titmouse will often feed their young with the assistance of offspring from an earlier brood.

• Some birds pass their total responsibility of raising the young on to other parents as does the Cowbird.

• Provide nesting material for birds near your nesting box such as yarn or string in 3 inch lengths or less, lint, or hair.  Purchase nesting material such as Best Nest Builder Nesting Material. 

Who can resist the antics of our feathered friends as they choose a territory, display unusual and sometimes comical behavior to attract a mate, then proceed to move in to a space that we have provided for them to build a nest and raise their young?  Great Bird Watching Entertainment!

Backyard Birds in Salt Lake City also carries books on building a BirdHouse:

Easy-to-Build Birdhouses by Mary Twitchell
The Complete Book of Birdhouse Construction for Woodworkers by Scott D. Campbell

We also sell ready-to-assemble chickadee and wren birdhouse kits starting at $13.99. 

Contact Us at 801-467-7222. 

To see our quality selection of Bird Houses and Nesting Boxes, go to www.BackyardBirdsandGardens.com

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