Keeping Birds Safe with the Proper Shelter

Place the birdhouse near good bird habitat. Look around your property- look for shrubs or brush-piles that might attract wrens and titmice. Stable piles of rocks may also attract wrens- they may even build natural nests in the rocks’ gaps. Woodpeckers may prefer groves of trees. Bluebirds and swallows often prefer open fields or grasslands near their nests.

Choosing the Proper Food May Depend on the Bird Species:

Any bird will be more likely to move in if there is access to their favorite food. Most birds need more than just store-bought seed from a birdfeeder – they’ll also hunt for native insects, local seeds, or fruit to feed their chicks. Consider adding native plants to your landscaping- local bird organizations can provide you with a list of bird-friendly trees and shrubs. If you’re hoping to attract woodpeckers, keep as many standing dead trees as you can in your yard. These snags are a gold mine of food for many species- woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, to name just a few.

Hydration is Essential for Proper Health and Bird Care:

When you repair or construct your bird house, you need to consider whether the bird has access to a supply of water for drinking and bathing. Most birds need water each day and making sure that there is a water supply close to the bird house will encourage the birds to use and roost in the bird house. Adding a water source such as a pond or bird bath is something that the birds will enjoy and will enhance your enjoyment of bird watching.

We hope that you have enjoyed this two part feature article about building a perfect bird house. For any of our readers, if you want to leave a comment about your own experience constructing or repairing bird houses, or observations about birds, then we welcome your comments on our forum where we regularly feature discussions about topics such as bird care or habitats.

Related posts:

1. Choosing the Perfect Bird House: Part 1
2. Costa Rica: A perfect bird-watching holiday
3. Perfect Winter Camouflage

When selecting the birdhouse keep these hints in mind:

Birds are picky about the size of the house, its height off the ground, and the diameter of the entrance hole. Find out what birds species live in your area, and research what dimensions and entrance holes they prefer. Many common birds in North American prefer a 1 ½ inch (3.8cm) diameter entrance- this includes many swallows, bluebirds, nuthatches and titmice. Several wren species prefer even smaller holes (1 1/8 inch, or 2.9cm). Other birds prefer larger entrance holes as a 2 ¼ inch (6.4cm) hole may be acceptable to a woodpecker or flycatcher. Kestrels and wood ducks need at least a 3-inch (7.6cm) hole. Be aware that, in North America, any hole larger than 1 ½ inches may invite non-native Starlings to move in.

Make the bird house a dry, safe home and make sure that drainage holes and an overhanging roof can keep the baby birds dry. Also, remember to avoid any paints, stains, insect sprays or cleaners on the inside of the birdhouse- fumes from these can kill chicks and adults. Keep in mind birdhouses with an exterior perch just give predators an extra handhold, and that perches may attract non-native house sparrows when you might prefer a native wren or chickadee to move in!

We hope that you find these ideas helpful the next time you may want to build a proper and suitable bird house. If you have any ideas or suggestions about bird house construction then take a peek at our forums under our section called “Bird Keeping” or start a new subject yourself!

Related posts:

1. Choosing the Perfect Bird House: Part 2
2. Costa Rica: A perfect bird-watching holiday
3. Pet Bird Species: Cockatiel – Birds.com