What makes a GOOD bird house
Many attributes are involved with what really makes a quality bird house, but one that can cater to as many backyard bird species as possible, would be a good start.
What makes a good bird house is one with the largest entrance hole setting of 32mm, as its not to small or large so birds may be willing. Make it a bird house with 15mm walls for isolation, drainage holes on the base and one that is treated in preserve. No perch is needed but a metal plate might be for safety.
As a rule of thumb, if buying a bird house in the USA from a reputable brand, or licensed by Audubon - they build it as best as it can possibly be.
Features that make it a well built bird house that uses knowledge of wild bird nesting habits, rather than simply building an attractive bird house, is vital.
Brands mentioned and many others will then likely supply bird houses that are more practical.
But its up to you to buy a bird house that uses a 32mm entrance hole so there's little restrictions to who can nest.
That is excluding Wrens as they don't tend to nest in an enclosed bird house unless it has an open front or much larger entrance hole size.
Other important attributes is a well preserved bird house whether its painted or not.
It should have an angled roof with drainage holes drilled into the base to prevent the build up of water, thus endangering the life of the chicks or eggs.
More so, the size of a bird house is not so much important as wild birds are less fussy, but the producer would of made it in the recommended dimensions, so nothing for you too worry about.
Inclusive of 32mm entrance hole
In an effort to attract as many birds as possible to a bird house in a way to get one to nest, you need to cater to as many backyard bird species as possible.
To do that a bird house with the largest entrance hole setting is likely to be more enticing to all small backyard birds who nest in wooden boxes, or other materials.
With that in mind, you would want to buy a bird box with an entrance hole size of 32mm.
And make it a rounded bird house entrance hole as this style is designed for more wild birds than those that use open front only, or are more exposed to the elements.
So a good bird house would be one with a 32mm rounded entry hole, as to cater to Bluebirds all the way down to Sparrows.
15mm minimum insolated walls
Quality is an important attribute to a bird house so making sure its constructed in the best possible way, would be a good start.
As most common bird houses for sale are made with 15mm walls, it would be uncommon to buy a bird house less than th
Insolated walls is vital for the birds during chilly nights or where a mix of wild birds can roost in a bird house through the cold winter months.
Side walls must absolutely be 15mm or more, and so to does the roof.
Not so much the floor but remember, where the bird house is made in pine, oak or cedar wood - bird houses made in plywood tend to be less thick.
Angled roof to running water
Trouble with any bird house, much like any house for people is a leaking roof. So to avoid that you'd need to begin with a bird house using an angled roof.
It would be set on say a 45 degree angle to allow water to run off without delay. As oppose to a flat roof where the water sits.
It must be said a flat bird house roof can see the water run back into an hinged area while filtering through open gaps.
So with use of an angled roof, the water can only flow to either side, or forwards over the bird house entrance hole if its a single panel of wood on a slight angle only.
Having said that, angled roofs do have an issue that can be doubt with.
Sealed opening to roof cut
So, what makes a good bird house would be one with an angled roof, but on top of that is can appear more attractive in the backyard.
However, this 45 degree or less angled roof does come to an upward facing point, where the joint of the two panels of wood join.
Usually this part is never nailed or screwed but more so relies on the use of glue to create a tight bond - while offering a little waterproofing.
That though is not a guarantee, so the producer of a bird house would use a piece of a decorative, angled wood to cover this gaps that runs the depth of the bird house.
To make sure your bird house is built as good as it can be, this section must be covered even if its uses a plain strip of rubber or leather for outdoor uses.
Drainage holes on floor
If the manufacturer of the said bird house has built it right then the matter of drainage would never be a concern.
That is not to say the possibility of endangering the hackling's lives with a low flood in the bird house cannot happen, because it can.
Its therefore imperative the birdhouse you choose to purchase is made with several drilled out holes on the base of the bird house - to allow any build up water or moisture to run out through the rounded gaps.
Drainage holes on the bottom of the bird house are not too big as to be any danger to the chicks at all, but it would be up to 12mm wide holes.
If the bird house has no drainage holes, don't despair as you can drill them out yourself.
Made to be accessible
Of course you, the person in charge of taking care of the bird house must be able to access the interior for cleaning and maintenance.
Access to the bird house is not needed during the nesting season, but when its over you need to access the wooden bird house to clean it out of old nesting material, while cleaning up the bird house of any gunk.
Once a year you may also need to repaint the bird house with all the open joints needing a good coat, but if the bird house is preserved only then you'd need to treat the inside - and all this is needed by accessing the bird house interior.
Consider buying a bird house that uses the simple lift up lid roof or a side or front opening with a pull of a metal bar.
You could access the house with a slide open front panel, but it is possible to unscrew the panel - so its in your hands how easy or hard the bird house is too open.
Protection against early erosion
When you buy a bird house you can do so with a nicely painted one that is finished in a shade that matches the decor of your yard.
What you need to be looking out for is if that painted bird house was first treated in preserve - to slow down the erosion of wood that is made to be outdoors.
Paint alone cannot help protect the bird house only, as preserve is more designed to be soaked into the bare wood - before painting or staining is carried out.
If you are in ownership or wish to buy what appears to be a bare wood, unfinished bird house, it probably isn't.
Read the description of the product in detail because if the colour of the bird house is more orange or yellow, then that is a hint it was in fact treated with preserve.
No perch included
When one thinks about a bird house its certainly not uncommon to put you in the mind of a wooden bird house with a perch sitting under the entrance hole.
But if you didn't know already, perches are a danger to nesting birds, along with their eggs or chicks which are the target.
Bird house do not need a perch because it becomes a simple handle for predators to use as they intend to steel eggs or kill the young, contained inside the box.
That is not to say it can't happen without a perch, but a perch protruding out for large predatory birds or squirrels to use - can only make it so much easier for them.
A good bird house is one without a perch, and if you do have one fixed to it; that's fine if you don't receive predatory birds or squirrels in your yard - but to simply cut it off with a saw would be a good idea if you are in a trouble area.
Metal plate if in predator area
Many people you use a bird house in their garden don't often have to worry about the use of a bird house entrance hole protector, as predatory birds are never to be seen.
But that is not to say a bird house entrance hole plate, made in steel, is still not going to be needed for other reasons.
Reason being that if you bought an expensive bird house, you don't want to be replacing it every year right?
Well, you could as many common small backyard nesting birds, such as Woodpeckers, sometimes like to alter the hole size to something more to their liking.
Its therefore possible to see a brand new bird house turned into an eyesore within months of positioning the bird house in the yard.
Make use of a metal plate as an add-on to your bird house to not only prevent larger birds stealing or killing the young - but to also protect the bird house itself.
Conclusion
In the end, what makes a good bird house is one that can cater to as many wild birds who use bird houses as possible.
To use a bird house with a safe 32mm rounded entrance hole, you've just opened up your bird house to as many as five or so different bird species, who would be contenders to nest inside your box.
However, bird house construction is important so make it one that uses 15mm insolated walls - along with an angled roof to guarantee a proper leak-proof roof.
Its imperative the bird house makes use of drainage holes on the base of the bird house to prevent water or moisture build up internally.
Make sure the bird house is easily accessible via the roof or side panel, to allow a thorough clean, while removing old nesting material to allow the bird house to be used again.
Never use a bird house with a perch as it can assist predators to access the eggs.
Protection against rot or erosion of the bird house is a tail-tell sign of a good bird house if its uses a preserve or anti-bacteria treatment. Be sure its at least treated in preserve before finishing in exterior non toxic paint or stain.
Finally, do consider using an entrance hole plate to again, prevent predators enlarging the entrance hole to gain entry - while also stopping the current occupants resizing or shaping their hole.
Share this article:
