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Homeless Birds Need Your Help
The chirping birds of winter are bursting into spring song. They awaken us before first light with their beautiful music. The melodies signal the start of the mating season, and the males are singing their hearts out to attract a desirable female.
Displays of brighter colors and mating rituals haven't changed, but the search for a safe and proper nesting place is becoming more of a challenge. With the ever increasing loss of habit, as a result of man's desire to clear land for housing and industry, many birds that depend on tree cavities for nesting are now homeless.
Birds that nest in tree holes have a distinct advantage over birds that build nests in the open. Sheltered holes protect the young by keeping them warmer and drier, which in turn leads to greater nesting success. Since these nests are almost invisible to predators, the safer environment allows the babies extra days to grow and become strong.
The drawback to this type of nest is that tree cavities are becoming a scarce commodity. If a mating pair of birds can't find such a suitable space, there will be no baby birds and their numbers will decline.
Fortunately, those who destroy natural habitats are the same ones who now provide hundreds of thousands of human-made nesting boxes. A great variety of birds have adapted and will call these home. Chickadees; eastern, mountain and western bluebirds; tree swallows; house wrens, house sparrows and even downy woodpeckers will quickly set up housekeeping in the spring. Having bird feeders nearby increases the chance that bird houses will be filled with nests of colorful eggs that will hatch into hungry babies.
Selecting the right type of box for a particular bird you wish to attract isn't as difficult as it might seem. While most birds have specific preferences for the shape and size of the box as well as the size of the entry hole, the most important consideration is safety and security. Nestboxes should never have an outside perch, as this makes it easy for a predator to get a foothold.
Other things to look for in the construction of a birdhouse are a hinged roof or side panel, so the box can be checked often and easily cleaned. Staples should not be used, since they can loosen and pose a hazard to your birds. The roof should hang over the entrance hole by at least 2 inches to keep out rain and roof-perching predators. It's good to have drain holes in the floor and ventilation near the roof.
The size of the hole should be no larger than the largest bird you seek for a tenant. Some birds, such as the house sparrow and European starlings, are happy to occupy any box with a hole large enough to squeeze through. There are houses on the market today that are specifically designed and proven to be attractive to a particular species. This makes your choice as a bird landlord much easier.
To attract cavity-nesting birds, follow these guidelines from the Audubon Society for the diameter of the entrance hole:
1 1/8" - black-capped and Carolina chickadee
1 1/4" - tufted titmouse and house wren
1 3/8" - white-breasted nuthatch
1 1/2" - tree swallow and Carolina wren
2 1/4" - purple martin
2 1/2" - northern flicker
3" - screech owl
4" - wood duck
1 3/8" x 2 1/4" (oval) - eastern and western bluebird
After building or purchasing a nestbox, carefully choose the location. Many birds, such as bluebirds, have specific requirements for their home, such as the height from the ground, habitat and the direction the opening faces. Purchased boxes will typically have instructions for proper installation.
If the box is mounted on a pole, consider pole guards such as metal cylinders or cones to deter predators. Boxes mounted on trees or other surfaces would be safer with tin or aluminum flashing below or above to keep raccoons and squirrels away. Not only are the eggs at risk, but certainly the babies once they hatch.
Providing proper housing for homeless birds and keeping them as safe as possible is a rewarding project. The time and effort spent insures that our beautiful - and beneficial - birds will be around for many more generations to enjoy.
About the Author Janet Winter loves her wild birds and delights in providing helpful resources and unique products for feathered friends at WildBirdGoodies.com. She maintains a backyard bird habit with the focus on plants, feeders, houses and water features that attract wild birds.
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