Bird House Basics

Bird watching is a very popular hobby for millions around the world. We like to view them in the wild, at bird feeders and using bird houses both natural and manmade.

It�s really fun to add a bird house to your yard and watch wild birds using it. You provide entertainment for yourself and give protection and a place to live for the birds. Many birds such as cardinals and doves won�t use a manmade birdhouse, but there are many that will and include the following:

Bluebirds

Robins

Chickadees

Nuthatches

Titmice

Warblers

Wrens

Swallows

Purple Martins

Others�

With bird houses there is no such thing as one size fits all. Figure out which types of birds you want to attract and then provide the appropriate size home for them. A good strategy if you want to attract the largest number of birds is to provide a variety of bird homes in your yard. Some of the basics you�ll consider after deciding on size are:

Ventilation

Drainage

Entrance Hole

Perches (not always good)

Accessibility (placement)

Protection from predators

Words of Caution:

Perches - Perches make it easy for predators to raid the nest

Ventilation � If there is not adequate ventilation young birds will die on hot sunny days.

Height � Too close to the ground and it�s easy for raccoons, etc to get the birds.

Thin Wood � Won�t protect against heat or cold

Be Patient� They will eventually come