Did you know there are 85 species of birds in the U.S. that are considered cavity-nesting birds? These are birds that create holes for their nests or use holes in trees created by other birds.
These birds would also nest in a birdhouse if it’s set up in the right way. Do you want to attract birds to a birdhouse?
You’ll find useful tips in this guide on how to do that. Keep reading to learn what they are.
Find the Perfect Location
If you’re wondering how to attract birds to a birdhouse you should start by finding the perfect location for their new nest. The right location will vary depending on the birds native to your area.
If you’re placing a birdhouse for a bluebird it’s best to put it in an open space. This will give bluebirds the chance to find lots of insects for their young to eat.
A birdhouse for chickadees should be surrounded by shrubs or trees. This gives them the coverage they need to feel safe.
Chose the Right Size for Your Birdhouse
You should also do a little research so you can buy the right size birdhouse for the birds in your area. The bigger the bird the bigger the birdhouse they’ll need. Smaller birds will need smaller birdhouses.
The birdhouse will home birds and their young so it’s important to keep that in mind when looking for your birdhouse. Bluebirds are larger than they appear so make sure you accommodate for that when purchasing or building your birdhouse too.
The Design Is Key
When it comes to attracting birds to a new birdhouse the design of it can influence whether birds come to it or not. Birds have different living styles, just like humans.
Birds like purple martins live in a community with other birds of the same breed. If these are the birds you want to attract you should choose an apartment-style birdhouse.
House wrens like living alone with their young. They don’t welcome other wrens into their dwelling. Consider choosing a smaller birdhouse for these birds.
Check out Nature Niche bird houses for more birdhouse options.
The Entrance Hole Is Important
If you want birds to be able to use your birdhouse you have to ensure a right size entrance hole. If the hole is too small they won’t be able to go in. If it’s too big then the birds might not feel safe using your birdhouse.
The right size hole will also keep out other species of birds from taking another bird’s nest when they’ve already started building it in your birdhouse. An elliptical doorway entrance works best for screech owls using your birdhouse.
It Needs to Be At the Right Height Too
Attracting birds to your birdhouse means finding the appropriate height for your house. Each species of cavity-nesting birds prefer to use birdhouses at different heights.
Purple martins need some height above the ground. Place a birdhouse for them high up in a medium-sized tree.
Screech owls need a lot of height to feel safe in your birdhouse. Make sure you place their birdhouse in your tallest tree.
A Safe Place For Feeding
One of the easiest ways to attract more birds to your yard and get them to use your birdhouse is by providing them with food to eat. You can place a bird feeder near the birdhouse so the birds know they have a place to eat at your home.
Keep the food high up away from other animals or covered by shrubs or trees down below. This will help the birds feel safe while they eat.
If other animals are eating the birdseed you leave out, birds won’t want to come to eat or stay in your birdhouse.
Keep Water Nearby
Attract birds to birdhouses by keeping water close by as well. In the same way that food will attract birds to your birdhouse, so will having water to drink and bathe in.
A small birdbath works fine to help the birds in your yard stay hydrated and refreshed. Make sure you change out the water every day.
A birdbath with moving water can also attract the more curious birds to your yard as well.
Keep Predators Away
If stray cats, raccoons, and squirrels pass through your yard from time to time you might have a hard time attracting birds to your birdhouse. You’ll have to find something to keep them away so birds feel safe enough to build a nest in your yard.
There are many products you can find online and in stores to help you keep predators out of your yard and away from your birdhouse and feeder. Look for products that’ll keep predators away without harming them or the birds.
Stay Away From it Yourself
Other tips to attract birds to your birdhouses include keeping humans away from it as much as possible. Even if you mean them no harm, birds will not feel safe coming to your birdhouse if there’s too much human activity around it.
You’ll need to keep the birdhouse far enough away from where you spend time in your yard. Take some time to clean your bird feeder and bath but don’t linger there too long.
Attract Birds to a Birdhouse With These Tips
If you want to attract birds to a birdhouse you should follow the tips in the guide above. It’s important to find the right design for your birdhouse and put it in the right location for the type of bird you want to attract.
Did you find helpful tips in this blog? If you did, make sure to check out some of the other home and garden blogs on our site.
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