Bird Houses to attract Wild Birds to your Garden

Author: Steve
There are many Bird House designs to choose from and it is important to choose the right one to suit the wild bird species that you want to attract. Nest boxes with holes in the fronts will attract small birds such as Tits, Fly Catchers and Sparrows. The hole diameter should be approximately 25-32mm for these species. A larger hole of up to 60mm is required for bigger birds such as Woodpeckers. Birds such as Blackbirds and Wrens prefer nest boxes with open fronts, and special wedge shaped designs are available to attract Tree Creepers. House Martins and Swallows typically nest under the eaves of houses with nest made of clay and specially designed replica nests can be purchased to suit these species.
Once you have decided on the right birdhouse to suit the garden bird you are aiming to attract, then you will need to pick a suitable site for the nest box. Typically, it is a good idea to place Bird Houses for smaller species such as Tits and Wrens, in the cover of hedges and shrubs but high enough off the ground or deep enough in cover to protect from predators. Bird nest boxes for larger birds such as Blackbirds and Starlings should be placed 1.5 – 5m high in a tree. Place the nesting box even higher in the Tree for Woodpeckers.
The special nesting boxes for Swallows and House Martins need to be placed where the birds build their mud and clay nests, under the eaves on the outside of buildings but can be placed inside barns and outbuildings if natural nests are in place and the birds have access.
Bird Houses can be placed close together to form colonies for species such as sparrows, or special colony nest boxes can be used.
For most wild birds it is best to site the nesting box in a quiet area of the garden away from the general comings and goings of the household. Although some birds such as Blue Tits can become quite tame and have been known to nest in post boxes and even hanging baskets right next to the house.
Whichever bird house you choose it may take some time for the birds to find it so don't worry if it is not occupied for some time. A nest box can be fitted in the garden at any time of year but if you put it in place by February (in the UK) then there is a good chance it will be occupied by the Spring.
Bird Houses
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Category › attracting birds to your backyard , bird house , bird houses , bird nest box , bird nesting box , birdhouse , garden birds , nest boxes , wild birds

Bird House Basics – Do's & Don'ts

Author: Angie
Like weather vanes and sundials, bird houses can be as artistic as they are functional. Bird houses come in many styles, from gaily painted wooden antiques to sleek metal models to plain old wooden ones. However delightful they may look to you, you'll want to make sure the birds find them attractive as well. Learn about what birds use bird houses and how to acquire the most success in housing wild birds.

Cavity-Nesting Birds

Only cavity-nesting birds (those that nest in tree hollows) use bird houses. This group includes bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches, swallows, and wrens. The type of bird house you install determines the kinds of birds you'll attract. However, this is a most inexact science as a bird house may be intended for a wren or a bluebird, but it will be fair game for any birds of similar size that find it to their fancy. This can be a fun feature to providing bird houses in your backyard.

Small Birds

Small birds, such as chickadees, nuthatches, and most wrens, prefer a hole that's 1 1/8 inches across. Medium-size birds, such as bluebirds, swallows, and purple martins, need a nest box with a hole 1 ½ inches wide. White-breasted nuthatches need a 1 ¼ inch opening.

Larger Birds

Larger birds, such as flickers and kestrels, take boxes with 2 ½ inch entry holes. Flickers usually like to dig out their own nests, but sometimes you can attract them with a large nest box. If you happen to fill it with wood chips, they'll dig it right out.

Do's & Don'ts

To keep bird houses safe from raccoons and cats, mount the bird houses atop metal poles. If you want to put a bird house in a tree, hang it from a branch. If you supply bird feeders in your yard keep the bird houses away from the feeders. Mealtime can make nesting birds nervous and scare them off. Wherever you plan on putting your bird house make sure the entrance is facing away from any prevailing weather. You can also remove the perch if your bird house comes with one; they are unnecessary and house sparrows may sit on them to heckle birds inside the bird house. When choosing a bird house make sure it's made of good insulated material. Bird houses made out of at least 1-inch-thick wood usually is good insulation. If you make your own bird house, steer away from using plastic milk cartons as they are too thin and have poor ventilation. The heat created with this kind of material can bake chicks inside or make them fledge too early from your bird house. You'll want to make sure you can easily clean bird houses so look for an opening at the top or side of the house. Also drain holes in the bottom of your bird houses and ventilation holes high in the sides of the house for summer heat are good things to watch for. Bird houses should be up before migrant season begins around late February because they will be looking for nesting sites soon after they arrive. And lastly, if you decide to put up more than one bird house keep them well separated and out of site from one another. Just like humans, birds most like their space!

These bird house basics should get you off on the right foot. After deciding which types of birds you want to attract and choosing the right bird house for them, you should start to see a more active wild life in your backyard. Providing bird houses in your lawn or garden is a delightful hobby. Enjoy picking out your bird house or bird houses because there a lot to choose from.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/bird-house-basics-dos-donts-2863381.html
About the Author
My name is Angie and I love the outdoors. I sell lawn & garden decor from my online store and strive to provide the best quality and largest variety of lawn ornaments I can. My store provides a lot of cute ideas for people to decorate their outdoor space. Personalize your lawn & garden today with adorable garden statues, stepping stones, bird feeders, bird houses, wind chimes, wind spinners and much more.
http://www.outdoormama.com
http://www.outdoormama1.blogspot.com

Category › bird house , bird house basics , bird houses , birds , cavity nesting birds , housing wild birds

Bird Houses 101: Everything You Need to Know

Author: Mary Fesio
The sweetest sound you can hear in the great outdoors is the cheerful tweeting of wild birds. The most beautiful sight in the free open-air is colorful birds flying without a care while performing their daring stunts in the air. When they hang in your territory—yard or garden, you have your own entertainment, not to be outdone by any concert or air show. Thus begins the activity of bird watching. But, how does one go about enticing this delightful entertainment to one's own free air? Read on and you will be educated.
As with most living creatures, one of the basic needs of birds is shelter that protects them from the elements and predators. Once these free-flying birds find a bird house to their liking, your sky show will begin.
The best time to put up a bird house is well in advance of the breeding season. This, surprisingly, would be in late summer or very early fall. Migratory birds scout bird houses on their way down south for the winter and, amazingly, will locate their favorite houses in the spring as they come back. There are those aviaries that do not migrate. For these species, homes put up early in the winter are not too late.
The best birdhouses are constructed from wood. If metal is to be used, aluminum is the best choice and it should be hung in the shade to keep the birdhouse from overheating. Good birdhouses will provide for drainage at the bottom for rainwater and small holes at the top for ventilation.
Birdhouses should be constructed without perches at the entrance to deter predators such as squirrels, cats and larger birds. An overhang over the entrance will help keep the birdhouse cool and inviting.
The location of a birdhouse is, also, very important. Some birds prefer wooded, shady places while others prefer grassy areas. However, the recommended place would be in a sunny, open space away from close trees as to inhibit tree-climbing predators. A thoughtful touch is to plant berry-bearing bushes near the bird houses to provide for those midnight snacks.
The spacing of birdhouses needs to be taken into consideration. Keeping birdhouses 5-30 feet off the ground will help to divert predators and spacing them, at least, 25 feet apart will help resolve territorial issues among the birds.
By following these few tips you will insure yourself to have tenants who will come and entertain you for many a day and you will find your bird watching hours very rewarding.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/bird-houses-101-everything-you-need-to-know-4055361.html
About the Author
Mary Fesio is the owner of http://www.FeedersFountainsAndBirdhouses.com. This is a website that offers a large variety of quality outdoor bird houses, wooden bird feeders, garden statuary, indoor water fountains and outdoor water fountains for every taste and decor. Prices are exceptional. Browsers are welcome.

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a member of the Picidae family, and is the largest common woodpecker of the eastern United States. It is found primarily in northeastern US and southern Canada, ranging as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. Its common habitat is wooded areas, including suburban neighborhoods and parks. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers are very tolerant of humans, and are regular visitors to backyard garden feeders (especially during the winter), favoring sunflower seed, suet, and fruit. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers climb and "hitch" along branches and trunks of trees, picking at the bark.
Red-Bellied Woodpeckers have a very thick skull and strong neck that protects them from brain damage when they "drum" to attract mates, excavate nest cavities and forage for food. They are equipped with a unique tongue that can extend 2 inches beyond its beak, and is barbed and sticky to catch insects inside deep crevices, where they gather and store food.

Identification Facts

Head to Tail Length: about 9" - 10.5"
Distinctive Features: The Red-Bellied Woodpecker can easily be identified by its red crown and black-and-white striping on its back. Its name is derived from a subtle red patch on it's abdomen that is rarely seen. Adult Red-Bellied Woodpeckers' abdomen, chest and face are mainly grayish white.
Male & Female Characteristics: Males have a red crown running from their bill to their neck, where females have a red patch on the nape and another above the bill. Males have a bigger tongue than females.

Songs & Calls

Red-bellied woodpeckers are highly vocal and noisy birds. Their calls sound like churr-churr-churr or with an alternating brr sound. Both sexes are vocal, but males call and drum more often than females. Male woodpeckers drum their beaks to attract females in the spring, sometimes pounding on metal siding and even cars to create a resonating sound.

Nesting Behavior

Distribution: The red-bellied woodpecker can be found in most of the eastern United States, except for northernmost New England.
Nest Type: Cavity

Breeding Season: The breeding season lasts from late January to late June
Migration: During severe winters, Red-bellied Woodpeckers have been observed migrating south from northern areas to escape extreme weather.
Nest Facts: Red-bellied Woodpeckers are cavity nesters. The male carves and excavates a new cavity in a dead tree or sometimes a live tree in 7-10 days. Three to six eggs are incubated by both the male and female. The male incubates at night, the female during the day. Chicks hatch in about 12 days, and fledge in 22-27 days. Both parents care for the young.
In some areas, many Red-bellied Woodpecker nesting cavities are taken over by starlings. Red-bellied woodpeckers will occasionally use bird houses.
Recommended Bird House: Audubon Woodpecker Bird House

Diet

Red-bellied woodpeckers eat mostly nuts and fruits, with seeds being their primary food source during the winter. They also eat berries, corn, acorns, beechnuts, tree sap, ants, grasshoppers, beetles, lizards, frogs, and some bird eggs and nestlings.
Commercially available food options include sunflower seed kernals, fruit and nut blends and suet.
Recommended Feeders: Clinger Feeder, Fruit Feeder, Suet Feeder and suet log feeders

Similar species

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a rather close relative but looks entirely different. The Gila Woodpecker has a darker brown head and abdomen, and lacks the red neck and spot above bill. The Golden-Fronted Woodpecker is also similar in coloration to the Red-Bellied Woodpecker.
Originally published at New England Birdhouse blog.

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