Do you like the calls of birds in your backyard early in the morning or towards the end of the day when you've had a rough day at work? Most people do. Whether you live in an apartment or own your own home a birdhouse is a great way of attracting these colorful songsters to your home. Just like anything else though you should be making an informed purchase. Many birds look for specific things before using a birdhouse as their home and many birdhouse builders do not take these preferences into consideration. If you don't make an informed decision you may end up greatly disappointed with the birds that occupy the house you purchased. So, just what kind of qualities does a bird look for in a birdhouse?
Just like any growing family the size of the home is important. In this case floor space. Too little and the birds you're trying to attract won't use it because they instinctively realize the developing birds would be too crowded. Too much floor space and the building of the nest will be too time consuming and they're probably bypass the house to nest somewhere else. A good birdhouse will be designed for a specific species of bird and that includes the floor space available for their particular nest.
The second quality of a birdhouse is the height of the entrance hole above the floor. Too high and it would be difficult for the baby birds to get to the hole to leave the nest. Too close to the floor and this invites predators to attack the eggs and the young chicks. Birds can be very picky about the distance the entry hole is above the floor.
Almost everyone has seen a neighborhood cat stalking a bird. Many do not see the same cat or a squirrel making an attack on a nest. Another important aspect for selecting a home for many bird species is how well it will protect eggs and young birds from predators. Flimsy, thin walls that are typical of many cheap birdhouses give little protection from a determined cat or squirrel. When selecting a birdhouse for the birds you want to attract select one that is sturdy and well built. Think about the birdhouse you're looking at and picture that neighborhood cat trying to get at the young birds. Will it stand up?
Maybe the most important aspect of a birdhouse, and one most purchasers and builders seem to completely ignore, is the size of the entrance hole. Yes, many birds will use a home with a larger entrance than they prefer. That's just the point though. Other birds can use it and some do. Many nesting spots are taken over by aggressive species because they can get into the home. While a perfectly sized entrance cannot eliminate this behavior in other birds it can certainly reduce the frequency. If you have attracted the birds you want to your yard the last thing you want to see is them driven off by another species because the entrance hole was too large. - 32194
Just like any growing family the size of the home is important. In this case floor space. Too little and the birds you're trying to attract won't use it because they instinctively realize the developing birds would be too crowded. Too much floor space and the building of the nest will be too time consuming and they're probably bypass the house to nest somewhere else. A good birdhouse will be designed for a specific species of bird and that includes the floor space available for their particular nest.
The second quality of a birdhouse is the height of the entrance hole above the floor. Too high and it would be difficult for the baby birds to get to the hole to leave the nest. Too close to the floor and this invites predators to attack the eggs and the young chicks. Birds can be very picky about the distance the entry hole is above the floor.
Almost everyone has seen a neighborhood cat stalking a bird. Many do not see the same cat or a squirrel making an attack on a nest. Another important aspect for selecting a home for many bird species is how well it will protect eggs and young birds from predators. Flimsy, thin walls that are typical of many cheap birdhouses give little protection from a determined cat or squirrel. When selecting a birdhouse for the birds you want to attract select one that is sturdy and well built. Think about the birdhouse you're looking at and picture that neighborhood cat trying to get at the young birds. Will it stand up?
Maybe the most important aspect of a birdhouse, and one most purchasers and builders seem to completely ignore, is the size of the entrance hole. Yes, many birds will use a home with a larger entrance than they prefer. That's just the point though. Other birds can use it and some do. Many nesting spots are taken over by aggressive species because they can get into the home. While a perfectly sized entrance cannot eliminate this behavior in other birds it can certainly reduce the frequency. If you have attracted the birds you want to your yard the last thing you want to see is them driven off by another species because the entrance hole was too large. - 32194
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What should you consider when buying a birdhouse for your yard? Once you know visit Wolf Mountain Birdhouses to find a birdhouse designed specifically for the birds you want to attract.
