You may be interested in having a bird house just for decoration, or you may be trying to attract certain types of birds.
However, if you want to attract a specific species, in most cases, you will need to build or buy a specific type of bird house. For example, Purple Martins nest in colonies and Robins nest on platforms without roofs. Most bird houses are square or rectangular and feature an entrance hole, keep in mind the size of the box and the size of the entrance hole will attract certain species. Here are some types of bird houses that specific species nest in.
Want to Build Your Own Bird House?
If you are interested in building your own bird houses, here are some helpful guidelines to choose the right house for your birds. For some specific designs for the species listed above, try these links:
Bird Houses for Wrens & Chickadees
The hole is the most crucial feature of the bird house to draw wrens. Make sure the diameter does not exceed 1 1/4″, as this is too small for House Sparrows to use but large enough for all varieties of Wrens and Black-capped Chickadees. Tree Swallows will also use this type of house.
Bird houses for wrens can be fastened to a building, a pole, or a tree. It should be anywhere from 5-10 feet off the ground. The residence ought to be situated within a hundred feet of cover, like dense woods. When defending their territory, wrens have been known to occupy or occupy every nest site in the vicinity. They could, as they say, destroy the eggs laid by neighboring cavity nesters. Set up nest boxes meant for different species of birds at least a hundred feet apart in a less wren-attracting, more open habitat.
Black-Capped Chickadees also prefer a well-covered bird house. Additionally, these birds like their nest box to have wood shavings at the bottom and they favor having the entrance facing away from the wind.
Colonies for Purple Martins
Purple Martins nest in colonies, so their bird houses are very different and more complex – theyre almost like a mini neighborhood! Depending on how many you want to attract, you must build them in multiple levels. These bird houses are usually rounded, and should feature a protective roof as well. You can also simply hang several gourds in a cluster.
Affix the dwelling to a pole, roughly ten to fifteen feet above the ground. Mount it on a pole that can be lowered for upkeep and cleaning for your own convenience. The recommended distance between colonies and other obstructions, such as trees and buildings, is 60 feet. Purple Martins appear to favor white-painted homes (but not interior paint jobs). You can put purple martin decoys close by to draw these gregarious birds to your new home.