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Here you'll find useful information and links about birdhouses.
I hope these sites are as helpful to you as they were Too me.
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Building a Birdhouse
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Some species of birds are known as cavity dwellers, which means they only build their nests inside a cavity, usually a hollow inside the trunk of a tree. Manmade birdhouses (also called a nest box) provide a good simulation for a tree cavity, and have been credited for bringing the Eastern Bluebird back from the brink of extinction. Dimensioning is an important aspect of preparing a nest box for a particular species. It is desirable for the hole to be just large enough for the desired species, but too small for a larger, more aggressive cavity dweller. Studies conducted several decades ago helped determine the inside box dimensions most acceptable to each species. Like people, birds do not have any hard rules about what they will live in, but the closer a box size is to the preferred dimension, the more likely it will be to attract the desired species.Fir, pine, cedar, and plywood all make good nest box construction materials.
Considerusing scrap lumber or previously used wood as an environmentally sound means of recycling it.A birdhouse should never be constructed with wood which has been chemically treated to protect it against rotting. A few one-half inch holes near the top of the box on each side will provide a means for the box to ventilate by natural convection. It is also a good idea to drill some small holes in the bottom corners to allow drainage of any water that gets inside.The birdhouse should be placed in a naturally shaded location, such as on the north side of a tree truck. Consider using aluminum nails if you are nailing to the side of a tree. They will neither rust nor damage saw blades that may strike them later. Every birdhouse should be constructed in such a way that it can easily be opened during the month of March for removal of old nesting material and the parasites that accompany it. Use gloves while handling this material, and beware of other critter that may be
hiding inside: snakes, rodents, & squirrels. Having a hinged top with a hook lock is an easy solution. A perch looks cute on a birdhouse, but contrary to popular belief birds do not need them.
Cavity dwelling birds are equipped with very strong claws for hanging onto vertical surfaces.
Mounting a birdhouse on a tree immediately above a limb or installing a perch provides a platform for cats, raccoons, opossums, rats and non-cavity
dwelling birds to destroy the nest. Crow and jays cannot easily hold onto the side of a box and would be more apt to leave it undisturbed.
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Birdhouse Dimensions for Nesting Birds
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Bird
Species
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Interior
Size
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Depth
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Entrance
Size
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Entrance
Above
Floor
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Height
Above
Ground
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Habit Bird Prefers
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Eastern
Bluebird
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5" x 5"
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8"
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1 1/2"
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6"
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5-10 ft.
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Brushy bs near open areas
like pastures - no tall undergrowth.
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Western
Bluebird
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5" x 5"
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8"
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1 1/2"
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6"
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5-10 ft.
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Open forests, favors ponderosa pine.
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Black-capped
Chickadee
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4" x 4"
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8-10"
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1 1/8"
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6-8"
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5-15 ft.
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Brushy bs and forests.
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Carolina
Chickadee
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4" x 4"
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8-10"
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1 1/8"
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6-8"
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5-15 ft.
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Brushy bs and
southeastern forests.
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House
Finch
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6" x 6"
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6"
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2"
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4"
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8-12 ft.
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Bottom lands, canyons,
suburbs, and ranches.
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Song
Sparrow
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6" x 6"
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6"
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All Sides
Open
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---
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1-3 ft.
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Brushy bs and
wood margins.
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Barn
Swallow
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6" x 6"
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6"
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One or more
sides open
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---
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8-12 ft.
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Areas near farms.
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Purple
Martin
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6" x 6"
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6"
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2 1/2"
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1"
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15-20 ft.
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Open areas and cut over forests
where nest sites are available.
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American
Robin
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6" x 8"
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8"
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Three sides
open
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---
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6-15 ft.
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Open areas with scattered
trees and shrubs.
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White Breasted
Nuthatch
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4" x 4"
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8-10"
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1 1/4"
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6-8"
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5-20 ft.
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Deciduous woodlands.
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Red Breasted
Nuthatch
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4" x 4"
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8-10"
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1 1/4"
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6-8"
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5-20 ft.
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Coniferous forests.
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Tufted
Titmouse
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4" x 4"
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8-10"
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1 1/4"
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6-8"
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6-15 ft.
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Eastern deciduous woodlands.
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Downy
Woodpecker
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4" x 4"
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8-10"
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1 1/4"
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6-8"
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6-20 ft.
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Open woodland, orchards,
farmlands, and urban areas.
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Common
Flicker
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7" x 7"
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16-18"
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2 1/2"
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14-16"
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6-20 ft.
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Around large trees in open woodlands,
fields, and meadows.
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Hairy
Woodpecker
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6" x 6"
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12-15"
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1 1/2"
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9-12"
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12-20 ft.
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Nests in live trees in open
woodlands and forests.
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Redheaded
Woodpecker
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6" x 6"
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12-15"
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2"
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9-12"
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12-20 ft.
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Open areas--farmyards, field edges,
dead snags with lush groundcover.
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Pileated
Woodpecker
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8" x 8"
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12-30"
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3-4"
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10-12"
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12-20 ft.
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Mature forest areas.
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Red-bellied
Woodpecker
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6" x 6"
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12-14"
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2 1/2"
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10-12"
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12-20 ft.
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Common in southeastern forests.
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Bewick's
Wren
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4" x 4"
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6-8"
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1"
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1-6"
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6-10 ft.
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Farmyards, brushlands, fence rows,
and suburbs.
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Carolina
Wren
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4" x 4"
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6-8"
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1 1/8"
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1-6"
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6-10 ft.
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Forests with thick underbrush.
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House
Wren
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4" x 4"
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6-8"
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1"
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1-6"
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6-10 ft.
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Brushy bs and edge habitat.
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*Wood
Duck
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10 1/2" x 10 1/2"
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24"
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3" ellip.
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20"
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10-25 ft.
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Bottomland hardwood forests
near water.
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*Common
Merganser
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11" x 11"
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34"
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4 3/4"
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20"
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10-15 ft.
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Cool, clear waters of northern
or western forests.
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*Add wood shavings or sawdust at a 2" or 3" depth inside the box on the floor.
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BIRDHOUSE LINKS.
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All banners and links marked in red are link partners. Please click on their link and pay them a visit. Thank You
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One of my favorite sites, loads of information.
National Audubon Society
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Bird Houses and Boxes
ORNITHOLOGY.COM
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The Nutty Birdwatcher offers information on birdwatching, backyard bird feeding,
and a wealth of other information about birding.
www.birdnature.com
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The FREE Birdhouse pattern Website!
Free plans for building birdhouses and bird feeders, free birdhouse tole painting
patterns, birdhouse quilt patterns, birdhouse stitchery, free bird craft
patterns, free gourd birdhouse painting patterns and more!
Crafty Birds
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We offer distinctive birdhouses and birdfeeders that are carefully
handcrafted by skilled Appalachian Mountain craftsmen.
RLROUSE.COM
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