About Birdhouses

Birdhouses are commonly called nest boxes. They are manmade boxes supplied for birds to create a nest in. You can find a large number of birdhouses constructed distinctively for various species of birds. Each is designed to the specifications required by that breed for nesting purposes. Birdhouses can be bought from a variety of stores or built by hand at home. You can come across birdhouses made from various materials; wood is the most common one used.

Significance

Birdhouses assist in bird conservation in densely inhabited suburban regions, where there are not many natural nesting spaces left. You can gain a lot of knowledge through watching birds in and around birdhouses. Appropriately, used birdhouses are measured as scientific tools. Provide the birdhouse and the environment required, and you can attract a particular bird species to your yard.

Function

Birds use birdhouses as a place to build a nest to lay their eggs. Homeowners place birdhouses around their yard to attract birds through providing a nesting box. Different types of birdhouses can be used to attract a variety of bird species to the area. Birdhouses are set up in various locations at differing heights.

Types

Birdhouses are constructed in many types. Hanging birdhouses are hung from a tree branch or patio awning. They are suspended from above in a location away from predators' reach. Mounted birdhouses are created for a pole or pedestal. This type of birdhouse can be utilized when there are no places for hanging a birdhouse. Purple Martin birdhouses are designed "apartment-like," and include several nesting boxes together. Bluebird birdhouses are created especially for the medium-sized bluebird.

Features

Birdhouses are most often created from wood, but some use a mixture of wood and concrete (woodcrete). Birdhouses can be found for birds as small as wrens or for large birds such as owls. The overall dimension of the birdhouse varies, along with the hole (or opening) provided. Most species of birds will not use a birdhouse not designed for it. It's common for the roof to open for easy cleaning or repairs. A small perch is normally located just outside of the hole in the birdhouse.

Considerations

Select birdhouses depending on the area you live and the types of birds found there. The location of your birdhouse must be considered. If you do not accurately mount the birdhouse, birds will not use it. Some species of birds like to be near the ground; others prefer birdhouses mounted high on a pole. Make sure no bird predators (squirrels, cats, snakes and so on) can reach the birdhouse.

Resources

• Birdhouses 101
• Just Birdhouses: Birdhouses
• Google Shopping: Birdhouses