Ten Features Of A Good Birdhouse
There are a lot of recycled and homemade bird houses available for
purchase at local stores and garden
nurseries. They may not be the best choice for birds to nest in. In
fact, we recommend not using them since they are most likely made with
toxic paint, glue, do not have venting or clean-out access and may be toxic
to baby birds. Besides, birds prefer more natural looking and rustic
birdhouses to simulate nature and camouflage as they nest.
Berkeley Rustic Birdhouses are constructed with proper sizing,
ventilation, drainage, and insulation, honoring the guidelines of the
"International Standard of Ornithology (ISO) 2009."
Below is a checklist of the ten most important features of a nesting birdhouse. Before you put a house out for wild birds, be sure it meets these requirements. A decorative or recycled birdhouse with these
features is fine to put it out for the birds.
1. No Perch (unless it's a decorative door knob): Tree holes in the wild have no
perches, so the birds that use nest boxes do not need them. They are not recommended as they may attract House Sparrows, an invasive
species that often takes over nests from our native hole-nesting birds.
2. Size of Entrance Hole: Most of our common hole-nesting birds fit in an
entrance hole 1 1/2 inches in diameter. This size also keeps out Starlings, another invasive species that takes over nest boxes from
native species.
3. Dimensions for Birdhouse Floor: The inside dimensions of the birdhouse are vital and
should be at least 4 inches by 4 inches allowing room for the
young to develop.
4. Nest Box Height: The distance from the bottom of the entrance hole to the
floor of the box should be at least 5 inches. This keeps the developing
young well down in the box and out of reach of predators that might approach
the entrance hole.
5. Be Able to Open: You must be able to open the bird house, either on the
side, front, or top. This helps in two ways: to monitor the progress and
health of the young; and to clean out the box at the end of the season.
6. Proper Ventilation: The nest box must have holes or slits at the top of the box sides
or along the top of the front of the box to let hot air out when the
sun beats down on the box in summer.
7. Drainage Holes: The bottom of the box must have holes or cut off corners to allow any water to drain out of the box.
8. A Way to Attach the Box: Check to see if there is a bracket or holes on the birdhouse to attach the box to a pole.
9. Wood: Be sure that the materials the box is made of are 3/4
inch thick wood that will insulate the birds from
cold and heat.
10. Roof: The roof should overhang the entrance hole by 1 to 2
inches. This both shades the entrance hole and keeps the rain out.
Source: Berkeley Rustic Birdhouses
