How can I get birds to use birdhouses in my yard and garden? (2024)

FAQs

How can I get birds to use birdhouses in my yard and garden? ›

Planting a wide variety of trees and shrubs, providing a source of clean water, and encouraging insect populations by avoiding the use of unnecessary pesticide applications are all essential aspects of creating a healthy habitat for our feathered friends.

“Placing the birdhouse in the wrong habitat – say, deep woods for a chickadee, or in a very built-up area for bluebirds–will keep them from using the house.” In addition, the bird house should be the right size for the bird you're hoping will use it.

What type of bird you want to attract will determine where you place a birdhouse. For example, bluebirds will use houses in open fields; chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches all like the open woods and edges; woodpeckers like forest openings and edges; and so on.

Birds like to live in birdhouses that are camouflaged-colored: grey, green, brown. While attractive to humans, colorful birdhouses can cause lethal harm to birds inhabiting them. Avoid painting the inside of a birdhouse or around the lip of the entrance hole.

The most desirable nesting boxes feature natural wood, ventilation and drainage, privacy, a safe and secure location, an angled roof and a properly-sized entryway.

Whenever possible, avoid hanging birdhouses from trees or buildings. Instead, attach them to metal poles, which are much easier to put predator guards (baffles) around. Raccoons, squirrels, and cats will raid nest boxes if they are allowed the opportunity.

The ideal position is a sheltered north or north-easterly aspect. A tree, wall or even a high fence post can be used to secure the nest box too, but generally, the nest box should be at least 1.5 metres above the ground.

Many cavity-nesting birds will add their own nest material, but the woodpeckers, waterfowl and owls prefer nest boxes with 2-3 inches of dry sawdust or woodchips in the bottom. Place the box carefully. Put your birdhouse up on a sturdy pole, post, tree, or under a house eave. Freely swinging birdhouses are rarely used.

These structures are often thought of as a bird's home base. However, nests are used solely for housing eggs and chicks — not as a place to sleep at night. Once the chicks have left, it's unlikely the nest would be reused.

Because birds are already shopping around for nest sites, early spring is a good time to install backyard birdhouses. Not all birds nest and rear their young in houses. Those that do are species that seek out natural cavities in trees.

What direction is best for a birdhouse? ›

First, it is recommended that the birdhouse faces the opposite direction from our prevailing winds. This means, as much as practical, birdhouses should face a northeasterly direction. The height where you place bird boxes should be at least five feet off the ground.

Fluctuating food supplies/requirements.

Also, birds have different dietary needs during different times of the year, so they may move to or away from your feeders seasonally. You may notice fewer birds at your feeders during the late summer and early fall as there is usually lots of natural food available.

Most birds have a color preference — some birds like unpainted birdhouses away from direct sunlight, others like a birdhouse painted with light colors and still others prefer bright colors for their birdhouse.

A birdhouse and its entrance hole should face away from prevailing winds. In the United States, it's very common for a birdhouse to face east, which is often faced away from the prevailing wind and the strong afternoon sun.

The oval-shaped entrance helps prevent predators like raccoons from entering. Chickadees, tufted titmice and nuthatches are comfortable with a 1-1/4-inch hole, while bluebirds need about 1-1/2 inches to get inside. Check out these unique birdhouses birds will actually use.

The recommended direction to face a nest box is between north and east, as this will provide natural protection from direct sunlight, wind and rain, creating a more suitable and safe environment for growing birds. The box can also be tilted marginally forward to allow any rain to run clear of the entrance.