Facts on Bird Houses

A well-designed bird house attracts birds to your backyard.

Birdhouse add to the enjoyment of your backyard. Encourage birds to nest in your bird house by providing sources of food and water nearby and use a bird house well-suited to the species of birds that visit your garden.

Cavity Nesters

Approximately 50 species of North American Birds normally build their nests in small enclosed areas such as cavities in trees. Most cavity nesters will also nest in bird houses, especially in the city where natural cavities are harder to find. Cavity nesters include common backyard birds such as titmice, bluebirds, nuthatches, prothonotary warbles and house finches. Several species of woodpeckers sometimes nest in bird houses.

Wood

Cedar and redwood weather beautifully without stain or paint. Use 1-inch thick pieces of wood or 5/8-inch exterior plywood to build birdhouses.

Size

Each species of bird prefers a certain size of bird house. A box with a 4-inch square floor and about a foot high will attract bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, wrens, nuthatches and prothonotary warblers. For these species, the opening should be 1.5 inches in diameter and 6 inches from the floor.

Cleaning

Have your birdhouse clean and in place by February. Soil, feces and old bedding are breeding grounds for bacteria and parasites. Sanitize bird houses with a solution of one part chlorine bleach and nine parts water. Soak the birdhouse in the solution for three to five minutes and then rinse and scrub it to remove the residue.

References

• "The Backyard Bird-Lovers Guide"; Jan Mahnken; 1996
• Oregon State University Extension: Build Nest Boxes for Wild Birds
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Landscaping and Gardening for Birds
• "Birds in Your Backyard"; Robert J. Dolezal; 2009