Did you know that there are about 10,000 species of bird on the planet? If you’ve ever found yourself fixated on these creatures, you’re not alone. The varying colors, sizes, and behaviors of birds are fascinating.
It’s for that reason that many people end up buying a birdhouse for their homes. A birdhouse allows casual birdwatchers to keep up with the local fauna and experience the joy of watching baby birds enter the world.
In this article, we’ll be going through all the options for birdhouses and how to pick the right one for your yard. Read on to learn more!
Cater to Local Species
While you won’t be able to control which birds ultimately move into your birdhouse, it’s still best to pick one that caters to some of your favorite local species.
Take a few minutes to research the native birds in your area. Then, pick a house that would accommodate their size and needs.
For instance, if you’re trying to appeal to local bluebirds, pick the best bluebird houses available. The birdhouse hole size should be no larger than 1.25 inches to accommodate a bluebird without allowing starlings, large sparrows, or squirrels to get in.
Once you have a few options that are suitable for your local birds, you can start comparing birdhouse costs to find one that’s suitable for your wallet.
Safety First
A perching post is one of the most common birdhouse features today, but it’s actually totally unnecessary. Nesting birds don’t perch in that way, and will instead sit on the nest. Furthermore, a perch actually risks the safety of the baby birds inside by helping predators get in.
When installing a birdhouse, many people opt for bright colors and shining decorations. This coloration actually repels birds and can attract the attention of unwanted predators. Think of the house as camouflage: you want the bird to be safe and shielded from potential threats.
Finally, a sloped roof or an extended roof edge can help prevent predators from getting into the nest. It will also divert rain from getting in and soaking the nest.
So, opt for natural colored brown houses with a slanted roof and no perches for maximum safety.
Pick the Right Location
Of course, you’ll want your birdhouse to be visible to you so you can enjoy watching the bird’s nest. Keep that in mind as you choose a location.
But, you should also make it an ideal spot for your bird. Birds build nests depending on the wind direction. They don’t want the wind to blow through their nest or make it more difficult for their babies to learn to fly.
So when orienting your birdhouse, keep the hole facing away from the predominant local winds. This makes birds more likely to roost there.
The Keys to Buying a Birdhouse
If you want to jazz up your yard with a family of local birds, it’s essential that you pick the right birdhouse to get the best results. The wrong birdhouse and birds will ignore it or be attacked by predators.
With this guide to buying a birdhouse, you can get the perfect house for your area. Install one today and enjoy your new feathered neighbors!
If you enjoyed this article, we have tons of similar tips for the naturalist homeowner on our blog. Check it out for more!
