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Connecticut Audubon Society’s
Guide to Bird Houses
Birds build their nests from early spring through the summer in which to lay their eggs. Many bird species live and raise their young in tree cavities while others weave nests in tree branches, in reeds and bushes. However, if cavity-nesters are not able to find natural nesting locations, many species will willingly adopt man-made bird houses, also known as nest boxes.
According to Milan Bull, Connecticut Audubon Society Senior Director of Science and Conservation now is the perfect time to purchase a bird house and get it up and ready for inspection. "March is the traditional time to clean out your bird houses and replace the damaged ones. It is a great time to relocate unproductive boxes and try new ones." Bull says.
Nesting birds prefer homes that conform to their ideal living space with an entry hole large enough for the bird to enter but small enough to stop larger birds and predators from taking over the nest. Most common hole-nesting birds can use an entrance hole 1 1⁄2 inches in diameter. The inside dimensions of the box are important as well and should be at least 4 inches by 4 inches so that there is room for the young to develop. The distance from the bottom of the entrance hole to the floor of the box should be at least 5 inches. This enables the developing young to remain well down in the box and away from predators. The bird house should have holes or slits to let hot air out and drainage holes to allow any water to drain out of the box. If there is a front landing perch on the bird house, it should be removed. Front landing perches give predators an unfair advantage when raiding nests. It is important to be able to open the nesting box, so that the box can be cleaned out at the end of the season.
Bird houses should face away from spring and summer prevailing winds. House Wrens refer their boxes placed near a tree or bush so that parent birds may land for a few minutes to survey the area for safety before they proceed into the house. At times birds will sit outside the bird house watching the area for danger from which to defend the bird house.
Bluebirds prefer their boxes on baffled poles about five or six feet off the ground in a grassy environment well away from bushes and shrubs.
With a little luck, a pair of birds may occupy a bird house within hours of the time it was put it up. However, it may take up to several weeks, months, or even years before a pair of birds chooses to occupy the bird house. If a bird house has not been used after a year, try moving it to a different location.
Bird houses can help in maintaining populations of many birds at healthy levels. A single wooden bird house can have a long life – ten years is ordinary, and such a house may fledge 50 birds during that time.
Knowledgeable staff at the Connecticut Audubon Society is available to offer guidance on bird house selection and placement as well as bird seed choices.
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