Birdhouse Types
May 28, 2010 by admin
Filed under Gardening Tips
Just like in human neighborhoods, not all birdhouses are the same, not one size fits all. Bird species are unique in their needs for shelter, and the kinds of birdhouses they will be drawn to reflect their individuality. While some species will not use any kind of birdhouse you might place in their environment, an astonishing 50 species, or more, will accept housing made by human hands. That number offers bird watchers and friends of these feathered creatures the opportunity to attract many wonderful birds to their back yards. In this guide we will outline birdhouse types and what species they are best suited to attract.
The first type of house we might call the Traditional Birdhouse. It has a single compartment, a medium hole in the mid to upper front, and is shaped like a little Cape Cod or cottage. There is usually a hinged top for cleaning it out if desired, but not always. The birds that will nest in a traditional house include: Sparrows, various Finches, various Chickadees, Titmice, various Nuthatches, Flycatchers, Phoebes, some Warblers, Robins, and others.
A Large Traditional Birdhouse will attract larger birds, including woodpecker species like the Hairy, Downy, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, and Red-Headed varieties. Since Woodpeckers often excavate their own nesting areas out of decaying tree trunks, mount the house high on the trunk of a hardwood tree, near a Woodpecker feeder, for the greatest possibility of attracting birds to the house.
The Wren House is very small, and features an opening no larger than 1.5 inches in diameter. These little birds want to keep predators out, so choose a very secluded spot when possible. Sometimes wren houses are made from gourds that have had the contents removed and the gourd dried. These can be quick appealing to the birds and add a nice touch to the garden or backyard landscape. All species of Wren’s enjoy these cozy little houses.
A Bluebird House differs very little from a traditional bird house except in that it is often more narrow, and the door is higher up, to protect little birds from falling out before they are ready to fly. Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds are a lovely sight in the backyard, and will enjoy nesting near an ample supply of food used to attract them. For alternative Bluebird house options, place an old mailbox or small wooden crate high in a bush and you just might attract these azure beauties or another type of bird that isn’t too selective about its accommodations.
The Purple Martin House often resembles a duplex or quadplex, with up to four separate houses built back to back or in four different directions. Purple Martins are sociable birds and prefer to nest closely together, apparently for the protection that numbers provides. These houses work well on poles 8-12 feet high and placed near larger trees.
Platform Houses look like a 3 or 4 story hotel on a pole, with multiple openings on each level. Many birds, such as all varieties of Swallows, choose to build their nests on flat platforms or shelves, replicating their preference for ledges in rocks or cliffs.
Some ducks like the Wood Duck or Merganser will nest in a large Duck House, made like a Large Traditional Birdhouse but with a larger door. These houses might also attract an American Kestrel, a type of small predatory bird.
Owl Houses should be medium to large, with a slightly larger opening than with Large Traditional Birdhouses. Species like the Barn Owl are not choosy, often nesting in barn nooks, bell towers, hollow tree trunks, and elsewhere. Mount the Owl House in a sheltered area high in a tree, in a barn near an open upper window, or under the barn eave.
Yes, we know Bats are mammals, but Bat Houses are growing in popularity, so we make mention of them. These unique houses are made quite easily, and mounted on a pole or the side of a building, 10-16 feet high. Bats are fun to watch after dusk and are useful in reducing the mosquito population of your back yard!
We suggest that you try a variety of bird houses in your yard, and the chances are good that you will attract some nesters. Since many bird varieties are not especially choosy, you might get Sparrows in your Wren house, Woodpeckers in your Owl house, and so forth. Whatever the case, these bird houses will greatly increase your ability to view and enjoy your friendly feathered neighbors.
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