How To Choose Birdhouses That Last

Birdhouses For Every Home and Garden - Birdhouse Check List, Features & Proper Dimensions

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How do you know you are choosing a well made birdhouse?

It's easy when you follow a few key features:

Wooden, decorative, plain or fancy;

here's a simple, easy checklist of important features to

help you choose birdhouses that are both

long lasting and enjoyable for the birds and for you.

1. Fit the house to the species you wish to attract. Both the entrance hole (average of 1 1/2") and box size (at least 4 x 4" with 5" from floor up to the bottom of the entrance hole) most of all determines the interest of your feathered occupants. Although sometimes they have a mind of their own and you'll be fooled by a bird who choosing a birdhouse that really don't fit his profile! (See Chart Below) Add something similar to a small branch inside by the hole if possible, that will act as a ladder for the fledglings to use to help them reach the hole. This is something easily forgotten and truly helps the birds.

2. Look for birdhouses made from non-toxic materials. And wood is always your best choice, for it helps to insulate the birdhouse. Metal is generally only desired for Purple Martins. Birdhouses made of natural colors seem to most often attract birds.

3. Watch the summer sun. Try to place your birdhouses in a shady area so as to reduce the heat in very warm weather.

4. Keep them comfortable. Proper drainage, ventilation, and an overhang are essential to keep water and sun out.

5. Easy maintenance for you. A well made birdhouse will have an easily accessible clean-out door. Birdhouses may have either a roof, side or back opening for access.

6.. Keep them safe. No perch is ever needed on a birdhouse. This only gives other animals and birds a place to help them maneuver into the birdhouse. Metal predator guards around the entrance hole are a great help.

7. Well grounded! Birdhouses that are free to swing are not usually enjoyed by most birds, although some wrens will tolerate the hanging variety. Secure your birdhouse to a 4 x 4 post, pole system or mount your birdhouses to the side of a building or shed.

8. Anyone have an aspirin? Help prevent bird strikes by placing birdhouses and bird feeders either 20 feet or further away from windows. Or try 3 feet or closer so the birds have an opportunity to reduce their speed. It pays to take time to locate the ideal spot so that the birds are safe and you always have a great view of your birdhouses.

The following birdhouse/nest box size chart for cavity nesting birds

is provided by the US Department of the Interior

Birdhouse Dimensions

from Conservation Bulletin 14

U.S. Department of the Interior

All dimensions in inches unless otherwise noted.

Kind Of Bird	A Floor Size	B Depth	C Entrance Height	D Hole Diameter	Height Above Ground (feet)
Bluebird	5 X 5	8	6	1 1/2	5 - 10
Chickadee	4 X 4	8 - 10	6 - 8	1 1/8	6 - 15
Titmouse	4 X 4	8 - 10	6 - 8	1 1/4	6 - 15
Nuthatch	4 X 4	8 - 10	6 - 8	1 1/4	12 - 20
Wren	4 X 4	6 - 8	4 - 6	1 1/4	6 - 10
Bewick's Wren	4 X 4	6 - 8	4 - 6	1 1/4	6 - 10
Carolina Wren	4 X 4	6 - 8	4 - 6	1 1/2	6 - 10
Swallow	5 X 5	6	1 - 5	1 1/2	10 - 15
Purple Martin	6 X 6	6	1	2 1/2	15 - 20
House Finch	6 X 6	6	4	2	8 - 12
Starling	6 X 6	16 - 18	14 - 16	2	10 - 25
Crested Flycatcher	6 X 6	8 - 10	6 - 8	2	8 - 20
Flicker	7 X 7	16 - 18	14 - 16	2 1/2	6 - 20
Golden-fronted & Red-headed Woodpecker	6 X 6	12 - 15	9 - 12	2	12 - 20
Downy Woodpecker	4 X 4	8 - 10	6 - 8	1 1/4	6 - 20
Hairy Woodpecker	6 X 6	12 - 15	9 - 12	1 1/2	12 - 20
Screech Owl	8 X 8	12 - 15	9 - 12	3	10 - 30
Saw-Whet Owl	6 X 6	10 - 12	8 - 10	2 1/2	12 - 20
Barn Owl	10 X 18	15 - 18	4	6	12 - 18
Sparrow Hawk	8 X 8	12 - 15	9 - 12	3	10 - 30
Wood Duck	10 X 18	10 - 24	12 - 16	4	10 - 20
Kind Of Bird	A Floor Size	B Depth	C Entrance Height	D Hole Diameter	Height Above Ground (feet)

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