Bird Houses - Choosing and Maintaining Nest Boxes

We will give you the information you need to select the best type for the bird or birds you wish to attract to your backyard.

Nest boxes should be designed and built for a particular type of bird.

While it may be tempting to buy that cute one with multiple openings, don't do it.

Most wild birds do not nest near others of the same species.

Except for Purple Martins a bird house should be for a single nest. Unless your decision is just to decorate your yard or garden, stay away from nesting boxes built for multiple birds, (duplexes, triplexes).

Most likely you won't get any birds to nest in these homes, or worse, the bird watcher may get less desirerable birds that chase away the very ones you wish to attract. Birds can be very territorial during the breeding season. The size of territory varies with each species. Unless you live on

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several acres, it's unlikely you'll be able to attract more than one pair of a particular species to your bird houses.

No need to be discouraged. The idea is to attract a variety of birds to nest in your yard. Several nest boxes of the same shape and size may attract just one pair, but using a variety of bird houses can attract many species of birds to nest in your yard at the same time.

There are about fifty species of North American birds known to be cavity nesters. Some of the more common ones are: Eastern Bluebird, House Wren, Chickadee, Northern Flicker, Nuthatch, and Purple Martin.

Some bird species can be attracted to your yard by using nesting shelves. Unlike bird-houses, nesting shelves are not fully enclosed boxes but usually have a roof, back, bottom, an open front with narrow side walls.

Birds that can be attracted to nesting shelves are: American Robin, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, and Mourning Doves.

Earlier, I mentioned, that putting up several bird houses of the same size, shape, and dimensions wouldn't attract more than one pair of a particular species to your yard. While this is true, there are exceptions to the size, shape, dimension rule.

For example,

The male House Wren arrives in the early spring before the female and builds as many as a dozen nest in his territory. After courting, he takes his mate to each of the nest he has built where she chooses which one she prefers.

The female than modifies and rebuilds the nest. In this case, more of the same is better. In my own small yard, I have placed three wren houses. Since this bird typically raises two broods a season, more than one bird house may be a good idea.

Care And Maintenance Of Bird Houses

Parasites, blowflies, and other insects can cause harm to future broods. Some birds that raise second broods will not reuse a nest. Others, like the Eastern Bluebird will use the same birdhouse for up to three brood each season.

The best time for a once a year cleaning is late fall or early winter. Be sure to do a through cleaning.

When choosing to purchase or build a birdhouse, make sure that there is an easy way to clean it. Most quality birdhouses are built to clean by having hinges or slide out bottoms. Either way, you want one you don't have to disassemble in order for it to be cleaned.

It is best not to paint your birdhouse. Personally I prefer nest boxes made from cedar. Cedar weathers to a nice natural silver gray and blends in with nature. Dark paint colors absorb heat and can lead to the death of the young birds, which leads us to:

Where And When To Place Bird Houses

If you are unable to get your boxes up by fall, try to get them up as early as possible in the winter. Don't wait until you see the birds in your yard before you mount or hang your nest boxes. No matter what, just get them mounted.

Even if you don't get any birds this year, your bird house will have time to weather and be waiting for them next season. If you are in need of a specific nesting box or more information, you may wish to browse our partners at Duncraft who offer many types of bird houses.

Shade

It is best not to mount bird houses on the sides of trees where squirrels and cats have easy access. While there is no way to guarantee predators won't get to your bird houses there are steps you can take.

Consider mounting your nest boxes on post or polls, using squirrel baffles, (devices that detour squirrels) or hanging bird houses from limbs.

Nesting Shelves which will attract Robins, Mourning doves, and Phoebes to nest, should be placed under overhangs and eaves.

Always monitor your bird houses for undesireable birds and to protect them from predators.

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