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Wood Bird House

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Wood Bird House

There are over 80 species of bird that nest in cavities that can take up residence in a wood bird house. Each species of bird will prefer a different type of nesting habitat and the habitat surrounding your wood bird house will play a large role in determining what species will take up residence. Also the size and design of a wood bird house will vary depending on the species of bird. The main difference will be the size of the entrance hole and the height of bird house.

When you look for a wood bird house they are requirements that you should look for no matter what species of bird you are expecting. Make sure the wood bird house is a solid construction and the lumber is at least ¾ of an inch thick. Not only will this protect from the elements and potential predators it will also provide the proper insulation. The lumber of the wood bird house should also be natural untreated wood. Cedar and pine are two types of wood that are well suited for bird house construction and weather well.

A sturdy closing mechanism is also important. Not only for preventing intelligent predators from opening the hatch but it will also allow for easy access for monitoring and cleaning. It is important to monitor for nest-site competitors such as bees, wasps, mice and house sparrows. You may not always be aware that your wood bird house has fallen victim to competitors unless you closely monitor the nest. Also monitor for intrusion from owls or crows. Look for owl or crow feathers or plucked feathers of the bird species that inhabit your wood bird house.

There are precautions you can take to make it harder for predators to succeed in raiding the nest. An extended or sloped roof will make it harder for raccoons and domestic cats to reach into the wood bird house. Make sure the roof goes out by at least five inches. Also, attach a predator guard to the pole. Some predators can easily climb the pole of a wood bird house. A predator guard at the peek of the pole will put a halt to their journey. Finally, buy or build a wood bird house without a perch. The predator will use the perch as leverage and balance to help with their attack.

Make sure your wood bird house is in place before breeding season begins. In the south, the boxes should be in place no later than February and in the north, no later than March. Many species of bird will ‘scout’ the area for nesting areas and having your wood bird house in position early will give the birds a better chance of finding and using your bird house.

Finally, avoid erecting your wood bird house in an area where pesticides and herbicides are used. These chemicals will decrease the insect population that is the primary food source for cavity nesting birds. Also take into consideration the direction your wood bird house is facing. Many species will reject a bird house that is west facing because it may stay too hot. Be sure to research the nest height, hole size and direction preferences of the species of bird you are expecting. Do this correctly and you can enjoy the company of your favorite birds for many seasons to come.