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Handy Hints
In addition to feeders, a great way to attract birds is by installing birdhouses. They provide needed cavities for nesting, and enables you to watch a bird through its breeding cycle.
Some species of birds typically nest in tree holes, either a natural cavity or one they excavate. These birds often accept human-made houses that imitate natural nest holes.
About 25 species of birds commonly use birdhouses. These include Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, Bluebirds, Purple Martins, Nuthatches, Starlings, Sparrows, some Flycatchers, some Swallows, some Owls, and some Woodpeckers.
Not all birdhouses are intended for all birds. Several dimensions are critical to the safe and successful breeding of the bird that uses it. Outside of dimensions there are other considerations you must keep in mind when selecting a house for your yard.
- It should have only one entrance hole into the nesting cavity.
- You should be able to open the house and clean it after the nesting period is over.
- It should have ventilation holes at the top and drainage holes in the bottom.
- It should be made of wood for this insulates the house from heat and cold.
- The roof should overhang the entrance hole to protect it from sun and rain.
- A predator protection device should be installed to protect the young birds from predators such as cats and raccoons.
Most birdhouses should be placed about 5 to 6 feet high. This way you can easily clean them out at the end of the breeding season. You should place birdhouses at different locations on your property and see which ones the birds prefer. You can put up birdhouses at any time of the year, but fall through early spring is the best time, for the birds use them in the late spring and early summer.
Simply because you put up a birdhouse does not mean a bird will nest in the box you have provided The entry hole must be large and smooth enough to enable the birds to go in and out without too much wear on their feathers, yet provide some type of protection from predators.
You should pay close attention to the types of predators, food and nesting materials in the area. Place birdhouses and feeders far enough apart that activity around the feeder will not disturb the nesting cycle of the potential tenants of your birdhouse.
You can make your yard more attractive to birds by adding plants that provide food and nesting habitats. In general, the more varied the plantings in your yard the more species you are likely to attract. Several plants provide insects and seed for birds that may nest in your area.
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