Proper Placement of the Novelty Birdhouses

Placement should be a central consideration of your overall birdhouse plans. Birdhouses should be put out well in advance of the spring season.

The last days of winter and the early days of spring are the times when birds start searching for nests. Even if you are slightly behind schedule there is still hope that you will attract birds since most nest more than once a year and other species migrate and start their nesting cycle slightly later.

Species is also a consideration in placing a birdhouse. There should be at least 25 feet of space between two birdhouses. Most birds are territorial in nature and protect their territories. Hawks, owls, kingbirds and even robins will not tolerate other nests in close proximity. Bluebird houses should be spaced 300 feet apart. Goldeneye, Mergansers and wood ducks are not territorial and will happily cohabitate. Purple Martins prefer to live in big colonies so a Purple Martin birdhouse can be like an apartment allowing several families to nest together.

Birdhouses for wrens should be placed close to bushes or on small trees. Wrens seek the shade and protection for nesting. Their birdhouses may be placed 3-10 inches above the ground. Bluebirds choose cavities in open wooden rotten fence posts for nesting. Tree swallows seek the open fields. So when you place a birdhouse for them, make sure there is plenty of open space in front of their nest. Consult a good guidebook to find out more about the nesting habits of the species common to your area.

Never place birdhouses in areas where pesticides and herbicides are used. The insects and the seeds the birds eat should not be contaminated with any kind of poisonous material. It is possible to inadvertently kill birds if you are not cautious. Actually birds can assist you with pest control in your yard since many species are insectivorous.

Do not nail birdhouses to trees. This is an open invitation for predators like snakes, cats and raccoons to eat the birds and the eggs. The boxes should be secured atop freestanding poles which predators cannot climb easily. Both tin and PVC pipe work well. Various devices often called "baffles" exist to discourage predators if you have one that is especially agile. (Appropriate heights vary by species. Consult a birding book.) Secure the poles deeply in the ground for maximum security. If possible, anchor the pole in concrete.

Many commercial birdhouses are sold with hooks or handles so they can be hung in trees. Always check to see if a birdhouse has a mechanism for pole-mounting or if it can be altered in such a way as to accommodate such an installation.

You can buy ordinary wooden birdhouses as well as novelty birdhouses from nature or retail stores or you can buy birdhouses online. Some sources for birdhouse plans include:

www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/resources/construct
birding.about.com/od/buildhouses/
woodprojects.com/birdhouse-plans.htm
finchworld.com/wild/birdhouses/plans/free/free_birdhouse_plans.htm

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Proper Placement of the Novelty Birdhouses

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