5 Key Things to Remember When Buying a Birdhouse
Are you thinking about buying a birdhouse?
Whether your home is on a migratory path for goldfinches or you have nesting birds like wrens all year round, it’s always interesting to watch birds pass through your yard.
Not only do they add music to the airwaves, they help to control mosquitoes, flies and other pests, like slugs, that can damage your flower beds and vegetable garden.
So, how do you attract – and keep – birds in your yard?
There are natural and manmade ways to make your yard and home more attractive to birds.
Here are some things to consider…
Five ways to attract birds
Many birds will nest in trees and shrubs using sticks and grass they find nearby. But some birds, like wrens and swallows, are attracted to a more confined space.
So, here are 5 thing things to keep in mind:
1. Keep it natural.
It’s tempting to put up a decorative, colorful house that adds to your decor, but birds are looking for a quiet place to lay and hatch their eggs. Opt for natural wood and make your feathered friends feel at home.
2. Know your audience.
The size of the opening you have in your birdhouse will determine the species of bird you attract. If it’s too large, squirrels will think it’s a great nesting place and you’ll miss out on songbirds who might call your birdhouse a home.
3. Cater to your diners.
If you’re on a migratory path, the birds in your yard have some very specific dietary needs. Take the time to check with your local pet store and find out what the species in your area need to continue their journey.
This might include a suet feeder, black-oil sunflower or niger seed. If you have squirrels in your neighborhood make sure you have the proper guards on your feeder to keep them away.
4. Know which way the wind blows.
Birds will choose their nesting spots based on prevailing winds. They don’t want a cool breeze blowing in on their hatchlings, and crosswinds will impact the flight school for their chicks, so when you’re buying a birdhouse and hanging it in your yard, keep the wind direction in mind.
5. Make sure there’s airflow.
This is often overlooked. Be sure that when you’re buying a birdhouse it has proper ventilation. This includes slots on the bottom, and on the top if you have the house mounted under your eaves or in a tree.
Naturally, birds have an innate sense of what they need, and it’s important for you to try and create a welcoming atmosphere.
You can attract certain species to your yard, but it will take time. Hanging up a niger feeder will attract one or two goldfinches at first, but word will get out and you’ll suddenly find you have a whole flock.
If you’re in an apartment you can hang up a hummingbird feeder on your balcony, or a small blackoil seed feeder. Guaranteed, songbirds will start to gather.
And, if you want to make your yard more bird-friendly, consider adding some shrubs and trees that provide shelter. Trees that bear fruit, like mulberry, cedar and ash are a huge draw for birds as they’re passing through your neighborhood.
Remember that most birds are transient residents in your neighborhood. Like any guest, it’s ideal that you make the environment as welcoming as possible while they’re visiting. Keep their dietary needs in mind and enjoy the visit while you can.
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Want to learn more about our flying, four footed and other friends? Check out these articles:
Penguin Lady – From Tragedy to Triumph with Dyan DeNapoli on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show
Taking a Stand for Animal Intelligence
Things I’ve Learned As An Animal Whisperer
I like how you mentioned choosing a birdhouse that would be comfortable for the birds you want to attract. My husband and I want to get a new birdhouse on our deck so that we can see more colorful birds in our yard this spring. It’s probably a good idea to look for birdhouses that are a little bigger since our deck is huge.
Thanks for the tips for getting a birdhouse. It’s good to know that a wooden bird house could attract a lot of birds. I’m interested to learn if certain types of wood work better than others.
It sure got my attention when you said that prior to having a birdhouse, it’s important to research about the type of bird that we want to live inside it because each species has their own preference that attracts them. I will take note of that because I believe my little brother wants a hummingbird to live in the garden. He was amazed by its ability to fly backward. it was good that I came across this article because I realized what we need to do in order to ensure that we get the right bird to live in the house. THank you!
It sure was nice how you suggested taking into consideration the vents and tiny holes in the birdhouse because that will ensure fresh air flow inside and prevent the birds from suffocating. I will take note fo that because this will be the first time that I will be buying a birdhouse, and that is the tip that I am mostly unaware of. My sister has been asking me to get a birdhouse for the cute, little birds that she’s been seeing in the garden for a while now, so I started researching. I’m glad I came across this article. Thank you.
The best part of your article for me is when you talked about how you must consider the size of the birdhouse that you’ll buy because it must be spacious enough for the birds to feel comfortable. My mother is looking to buy a decorative birdhouse that she can place in her garden. It’s important for her that the birdhouse that she’ll purchase is functional and can attract birds because she loves the idea of a garden with a lot of birds. It will make sense for her to buy birdhouses with the right size to keep birds on it. I will make sure to share your blog with my mother.
I like that you talked about the importance of deciding the material that the birdhouse is going to be made of. My husband bought a bird for my son as his gift on his birthday. At the moment, I’m looking to buy a birdhouse that can make his bird feel cozy and warm. It’s also helpful to find a birdhouse that can also attract other birds. Based on your article, wooden birdhouse attracts many birds, so I will make sure to consider it. Thanks for the tips!
I totally agree that it’s important to consider choosing a birdhouse that has a proper ventilation to avoid suffocation of your pet. My son bought a bird, so I’m looking to buy a birdhouse for it. it’s important for me to be aware of the important factors that I should consider in buying a birdhouse. For me, the ability of the birdhouse to provide oxygen to my son’s pet must be prioritized. I will make sure to consider your tips for buying a birdhouse. Thanks!
I wanted to find summer activities that would get my kids away from the TV and thought that bird watching would be a fun thing to do. It is good to know that when buying a birdhouse, one needs to consider the size of the entrance hole. Thanks for informing me that the hole from where birds can enter and leave the bird house should be appropriately sized. I did not know that for bigger birds, the hole needed to be 2 1/2 inches. We will keep this in mind as we look to buy a bird house, thanks.
I’m glad you mentioned making sure the holes on the top of the house let fresh air into the house. I have been looking for birdhouses, but I hadn’t thought a lot about the ventilation. I can see how it would be important for the birds to have fresh air. Thanks for the advice!
I am a huge fan of birdhouses and especially big fancy ones. This article explains how easily you can find birdhouses for sale online. I really like this because it is so much easier to purchase a birdhouse online than trying to track one down at a retail store.
My sister asked for a birdhouse for her birthday. I was dumbfounded that there were so many options! I had only ever seen the crafty kind that no birds ever even enter. It’s really neat to know that by buying the right type, you can actually expect to see some visitors.
This is some great information, and I appreciate your suggestion to get a birdhouse that isn’t too large or too small. I love birds, so I’ve been wanting to set up a birdhouse for them to nest in. I’ll definitely make sure to buy one that isn’t so big that they’re in danger of predators. Thanks for the great post!
I am always looking for ideas of how to enhance the quality of my yard and I think that a birdhouse would be a great addition. I did not know that it was important to consider the size of the birdhouse before buying. Something else to think about would be to ensure that the entry whole is big enough for birds to enter.
Thank you for this post. I found this very helpful. I am currently trying to build one at the moment. I will let me husband know.
I have a passion for bird watching and think that it would be great to enjoy this pleasure from the comfort of my own yard. A birdhouse would be the perfect addition to our outdoor entertainment. Thanks for informing me that it is important to pick the right size. Another thing to consider would be if it is appropriate for the local birds.
I hadn’t thought about what bird species are in my area. I was thinking of building my own bird house, but I’m not sure I have the necessary information for that. I’ll have to see if I can buy a good birdhouse online.
Thank you for the help. My wife and I want to get a couple bird houses for our daughter. I had not really thought about the house needing ventilation, but that is definitely logical. How can we determine if the ventilation is adequate?
That’s a really good tip to consider the size of the birdhouse when purchasing. My area has some fairly large birds, so a smaller birdhouse would be pretty pointless since they couldn’t enjoy it. I’ll have to look at some unique birdhouses online to find something that works for my environment. Thanks for the awesome tips!