What Birds Want
Comfort, security, custom
features and a short commute. Birds, it seems, value the same attributes
we do when it comes to finding a place to raise a family. If you want
to draw songbirds to your garden (and who doesn't?), look for birdhouses
that, ahem, fit the bill.
Comfort
Birdhouses should be at least
three-quarters of an inch thick to provide insulation against cold and
heat. The roof should be sloped and watertight to keep rainwater out.
The base should have drainage holes to prevent rainwater from soaking
nests and tenants. One side of the house should hinge open to allow old
nest material to
be cleaned out now, before nesting season begins. Place houses away from
high-traffic areas such as a front walk.
Safety
Houses should be hung or
positioned well above the ground -- at least five feet -- to keep
predators at bay. If you are attaching one to a tree, keep it away from
a branch where cats might gain access. Try to place the house facing
east, away from prevailing winds and in an area of partial shade. Birds
also need a clear shot at flying in and out. Perches are not needed and
may allow bullying birds such as starlings or house sparrows to drive
off desired species.
Custom fitting
The diameter of the entrance
hole is critical to getting the birds you want. If it's too large, you
may get starlings instead of chickadees. A chickadee entrance, for
example, should be 1 1/8 inches across; one for nuthatches, house wrens
and
titmice should be 1 1/4 inches, and a bluebird hole, 1 1/2 inches. Some
retailers sell metal-framed holes that screw onto the house. This
prevents woodpeckers and squirrels from enlarging the entrances.
The Commute
For birds, the job is to find
food and a place to bathe. Shorten the commute by providing bird baths
and feeders, and by avoiding pesticides, which kill the insects that
fledglings need.
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