The optimum direction for a birdhouse to face is the east. They benefit from the warmth of the early morning sunshine. Contrary to popular belief, trees are not ideal spots for birdhouses. Follow the professional woodworker (Max Millard) guides to improve your bird house building skills. What direction should a birdhouse face? Species like nuthatches and titmice are unlikely to return to a birdhouse they’ve fledged in unless it has been cleaned first. Birdhouses facing in different directions will attract some visitors. If you have a birdhouse but don’t know where to place it. When setting up a bluebird nesting box, several factors require careful consideration for a happy bluebird home. Nuthatches are similarly attracted to shelters placed more than five feet up off the floor. If you’re trying to attract a specific species, here you will find common birdhouse installation heights and hang your birdhouse between its optimal range. First, it is recommended that the birdhouse faces the opposite direction from our prevailing winds. This means, as much as practical, birdhouses should face a northeasterly direction. Another benefit of using a wooden siding for mounting is they don’t heat up much during summer. After setting up nest boxes, monitor them to help improve nest survival, as well as to identify any issues that may arise to correct them. In some ways, metal posts are the best spots for birdhouses because they’re almost impenetrable to garden predators. Before you rush outside with a hammer and nails, consider where to place a birdhouse. Some bluebirds may even begin nest building in the birdhouse and abandon it later if it is not suitable, even to go as far as leaving their eggs. A Good Spot For: Flickers, Purple Martins. Birdhouses facing east get the best of everything. Some benefits of mounting your birdhouse on a brick building façade are safety – few predators can climb brick facades – and proximity for viewing and monitoring. Avoid direct sunlight by setting up in a shaded area if you must face the box in the south/west. Five feet is a good guide. Some other tips include facing the birdhouse away from strong winds. These spots are well protected because predators can’t easily climb to reach and raid them. Bluebirds prefer a box with a small round opening closer to the top, with the body of the box available for a protected nest. Take Your Bird House Building Skills to the Next Level. Plus, they don’t overheat as the sun rises and sets in the afternoon. Set the nesting box height based on the bluebird breed from 3 to 6 feet above the ground. The opening size depends on the type of bluebird in your area, for example, eastern bluebirds require about a 1 1/2-inch diameter opening, while mountain and western bluebirds need an opening of about 1 9/16 inches in diameter. It is better than having no shelter at all. How Far Apart Should Birdhouses Be Placed? Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. If it’s constantly swaying in the wind, birds will quickly abandon this new hotel. Placement is very important because it determines which types of bird are drawn to your birdhouse, how long they stay for and if they return for more visits. A Good Spot For:Barn Owls, Downy Woodpeckers, Tree Swallows, Titmice, Your email address will not be published. They can get very hot during summer months. First, it is recommended that the birdhouse faces the opposite direction from our prevailing winds. It’s not nailed to the tree or post. He had step by step guide for bird house plans and bird feeder plans. Birdhouses facing east get the best of everything. We’ll discuss optimal locations for a birdbox and give you tips on attracting common species. If not, position the box on a tree with a diameter of more than four inches around. Some species don’t mind sheltering in close proximity to other birds. The optimum direction for a birdhouse to face is the east. A Good Spot For: Blue Jays, Mourning Doves. Stainless steel hole clamps are an easy way to attach a birdhouse to a metal post without needing to drill your own holes. Ideally, the nest box's opening should face toward trees or shrubs within 100 feet so young bluebirds have a place of safety for their first flight. However, if you can place your bird house anywhere else, we recommend you do so. Optimal height varies; you may need to do some research to find a good spot. However, careful placement – that accounts for height -is the best way to attract specific types of bird. Every common bird species has a preferred height. Many are naturally territorial and won’t use a birdhouse if it’s too close to other nesting spots. Some species will compromise and use a birdhouse that’s outside their comfort zone if desperate for shelter. Slippery building facades are another good location for similar reasons as metal posts and poles. If you’re going to mount a birdhouse here, ensure it’s east or north facing. However, the difference is they give bird shelters a more natural appearance that appeals to more species. These dark surfaces become hotter than pale coloured ones in the summer months. Situate the nesting box to face … Again, the answer depends on what species you’re trying to attract to your garden. With the DrillMate™. The entire nesting box can be constructed from a one-by-six inch board roughly 5-feet long. Some bird species like wrens will actively fill all of the birdhouses in a particular location – often with bits of garden debris – to render them unusable for other visitors. As the green spaces in towns and cities dwindle, it’s never been more important to support the wildlife in our gardens. Your email address will not be published. In fact, this type of surface won’t heat up any more than a tree in the forest. Some popular spots include high up on the side of sheds and garages. However, the lack of protection from the elements will be an issue for others. For instance, chickadee and wren species prefer birdhouses located 5 to 12 feet off the ground. While their first choice is always a comfy tree crevice, these particular birds will occupy artificial shelters when other options are scarce. You should also ensure that it’s not too close to bird feeders and bird tables, particularly if they are frequented by cats and other local critters. They benefit from the warmth of the early morning sunshine. This also helps the female by having food close by while she incubates the eggs. Bluebirds prefer their nests facing in order of preference east, north, south and west, though they may choose a house that faces a different direction. Chickadees Bird House Plan And Nesting Habits, Free DIY Birdhouse Plans For Variety Bird Species. They provide protection for birds by minimising access to predators just like facades and posts do. Powered by WordPress and WordPress Theme created with Artisteer.