Structural
Nest Boxes - 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 |
In addition to birds, nest boxes may be provided
for squirrels, chipmunks, mason bees, honey bees, butterflies &
moths and bats.
For more information on:
Bird Nest
Boxes
Bat
Houses
Butterfly
Houses Squirrel
Houses
Bee
Houses
Insect
Houses
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