| Selecting a
bird house involves some pre-planning based upon your expectations
and setting. When selecting a birdhouse it is important to keep
these factors in mind: |
-
The type of
birds you are trying to attract.
-
85 species of
North American birds are defined as cavity nesters- of these
approximately 30 species of birds will use a birdhouse.
-
Once you have
selected the species you want to attract, learn about their
specific needs.
-
The desired
appearance and visible setting for the birdhouse (place away from
your birdfeeders).
-
Place
opposite wind currents, in a relatively sunny area.
-
Proximity of
protective landscaping to the bird house.
-
Ease of
cleaning and maintenance.
-
Competition
and threat from other animals (cats, squirrels, raccoons, hawks).
-
Pay
particular attention to the interior dimensions required by the
species you want to attract.
-
Resist the
temptation to cluster numerous bird houses together, birds are
very territorial.
-
Clean the
bird house annually using a 10% bleaching solution.
-
Be patient.
Even with the right mixture of habitat, positioning, selection of
housing, water, and feed it will take time before your site is
adopted by a nesting pair of birds.
|
|
BIRD NESTING CHART
|
| Species |
Habitat |
Height of
Box |
Nesting
Season |
Nesting Material |
Eggs |
| Bewick's
Wren |
Edge of Woods, wood
clearing, backyard near building |
5 - 15' |
May - July |
Twigs, grass, lined
w/ feathers |
5 - 7 White w/brown
flecks |
| Black-capped Chickadee |
Edge
of Woods, wood clearing |
5 - 15' |
April - July |
Wood
chips, moss, hair, feathers |
6 -
8 White w/red-brown speckles |
| Carolina
Chickadee |
Edge of woods, wood
clearing |
5 - 15' |
April - July |
Wood chips, moss,
hair, feathers |
6 White w/brown
speckles |
| Carolina Wren |
Edge
of woods, wood clearing, backyard near building |
5 - 15' |
May - July |
Twigs, dry grass |
5
White to creamy |
| Downy
Woodpecker |
Edge of woods, wood
clearing |
5 - 15' |
April - July |
Wood chips |
4 - 5 White to pale
buff |
| Eastern Bluebird |
Pasture, field |
3 - 6' |
March - July |
Grasses, pine needles, weeds, lining of fine grass |
4 -
5 Clear blue |
| Hairy
Woodpecker |
Edge of woods, wood
clearing |
12 - 20' |
Feb - April |
Wood chips |
3 - 6
White |
| House
Wren |
Edge
of woods, wood clearing |
5 - 15' |
April - July |
Twigs, grass |
6 -
7 White marked w/brown |
| Mountain
Bluebird |
Pasture,
field |
3 - 6' |
April - July |
Weed stems, pine
needles |
4 - 6 Pale blue to
bluish-white |
| Mountain Chickadee |
Edge
of woods, wood clearing |
5 - 15' |
April - July |
Moss, fur, feathers, shredded bark |
7 -
9 White |
| Northern
Flicker |
Pasture,
field |
10 - 30' |
April - July |
Wood chips |
7 - 9
White |
| Plain
Titmouse |
Edge
of woods, wood clearing |
5 - 15' |
April - August |
Moss, grass, feathers, fur |
3 -
9 White |
| Red-shafted
Flicker |
Pasture,
field |
10 - 30' |
Feb - April |
Wood chips |
6 - 8
White |
| Screech Owl |
Edge
of woods, wood clearing |
10 - 30' |
Feb - April |
Wood
chips |
2 -
7 White |
| Tufted
Titmouse |
Edge of woods, wood
clearing |
5 -15' |
April - August |
Grasses |
5 - 6 White w/brown
speckles |
| Tree
Swallow |
Pasture, field |
4 -15' |
March - May |
Grass lined w/feathers |
4 -
6 White |
| Violet-green
Swallow |
Pasture,
field |
4 -15' |
March - May |
Grass lined
w/feathers |
4 - 7
White |
| Western Bluebird |
Pasture, field |
3 - 6' |
March - August |
Weed
stems, twigs or feathers |
4 -
6 Pale blue to bluish-white |
| White-breasted
Nuthatch |
Edge of woods, wood
clearing |
5 -15' |
May - July |
Bark, roots,
grass |
5 - 6 White w/brown
speckles |
| Yellow-shafted Flicker |
Edge
of woods, wood clearing |
5 -15' |
March - July |
Wood
chips |
5 -
10 White |
|
|
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