Bird Houses

Bird houses are a way to attract birds (especially song birds) to your backyard or garden. Before buying or making a bird house, consider the types of birds that are common to your region. It may be impossible to attract forest-loving birds to a backyard located in a prairie. Mixed habitats attract the greatest number of bird species.

Many birds are territorial and don't tolerate other birds of the same species living nearby. Only a few species like Purple Martins or Tree Swallows can live and make nests close to their relatives. It's quite possible to make several different houses for different birds. You can give birds a choice by placing several bird houses in your backyard or garden. Birds begin searching for a nesting place early in the spring. It means that the last days of winter are prime times to start setting up a bird house.

Nesting requires a very labor-intensive activity that must be done from dawn until dusk. You can help nesting birds by providing nesting materials in piles on the ground or in string bags for the birds to easily find them. The things birds need for the nest consist of the following:

• Thin twigs
• Dog or human hair, yarn, cotton
• Thin strips of cloth
• Long dried grasses or leaves, pine needles

The entrance hole is the crucial part of a bird house. It should fit the size of an adult bird, but keep predators away. Small birds will never nest in a bird house with a large entrance hole. In areas where birds of prey, snakes, raccoons and cats are common, it's a good idea to mount a bird house on a metal pole with baffles below the house.

When you make a bird house with your own hands, remember that pressure-treated wood contains toxic chemicals. Creosote and paints containing Lead are dangerous to birds. The best choices of wood for a bird house are Redwood, Pine, Poplar, Cedar, or Spruce. You can surf online for a suitable bird house plan, but keep in mind that it's not difficult to do for a person with basic skills and a bit of imagination. All you need is enough materials and proper tools to make a beautiful bird house.