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How do I build or buy a birdhouse?

Home » Outdoor Decor » Birdhouses » How do I build or buy a birdhouse?

The most common birdhouses are simple wood structures, which you can either nail to a tree or set on a pole or other structure. These birdhouses have a small entrance hole in the front and a slanted roof. You can make these houses yourself with wood (at least ¾” thick), a saw, hammer, nails, and a measuring tape, or you can purchase your birdhouse ready-made from hardware stores, birding stores, or general retailers. Whether you make one yourself or purchase it, use a birdhouse that values the bird’s security over decoration.

The differences between birdhouses can be very important, as birds can be very choosy creatures. Become familiar with the birds in your area (or ask someone who already is) and determine which birds you want to house. Then, purchase or make a house with an entrance hole, height, depth, and width that is the perfect size for that species.

For songbirds, for example, the hole should be one and half inches wide and six inches from the base of the birdhouse. The roof should extend over the hole, but don’t use a birdhouse with a perch under the hole, as this helps predators reach the birds.

The birdhouse should have ventilation and drainage holes at its top and bottom, respectively. Ideally, you will be able to slide out, lift, or otherwise remove the top, bottom, or front of the house so that you can clean and monitor it. The interior of the birdhouse should be natural (not painted, stained, or metal) while the exterior can be painted using non-toxic paint, as long as it is a muted color.

Finally, if you want to help the birds without building a birdhouse, plant shrubs, evergreens, or small trees that provide completely natural cover and shelter for the birds. Plants that produce fruits in the winter are especially good because they also help feed the birds throughout the year.

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