Better Birdhouses for our Backyard Friends

Summary: Another way to attract birds to your backyard is to provide nesting possibilities. Join Kiersten and Cheryl as they talk about what kinds of nest boxes you can provide for your backyard birds.

 

For our hearing-impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean.

 

Show Notes:

Birdhouse Features: Features of a Good Birdhouse: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/features-of-a-good-birdhouse

Find the birds near you and the best house for them: Right Bird, Right House:  https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/right-bird-right-house/

Nest Box designs by species: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses

Troubleshooting birdhouses for landlords: https://nestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/nest_box_troubleshooting_20110126_final.pdf

Winter Roost Boxes: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/will-birds-use-nest-boxes-to-roost-in-for-warmth-during-the-winter/

 

Transcript 

Kiersten: Intro: We started The Feathered Desert to inform listeners in the southwest about how to feed wild birds successfully and responsibly. We wanted our listeners to know what kind of food to feed to attract the kinds of birds you wanted to see in your backyard. It occurred to me the other day that Cheryl and I have yet to talk about the other way to attract birds to the backyard and that is using nest boxes. So, today’s episode is all about the nest box.

 

Cheryl: Just like bird feeding, putting up birdhouses in your yard has evolved over the years to incorporate seasonal bird behavior and new scientific discoveries. To truly give the birds outside the best chance at surviving our constantly changing world, there are new guidelines for putting up birdhouses. It’s not a one size fits all device any more. You don’t just put up something that looks great to you and has a hole with a perch under it and see what happens. By observing bird behavior in the wild we’ve determined the best ways to offer birds a safe and secure home for raising young. Following these guidelines is the best way for you to attract even more birds to your yard and enjoy them for generations to come.

 

Kiersten: First of all, let’s start off with features of a good birdhouse. These features are specific to birdhouses used for nesting, also referred to as nest boxes. There are a few important features for usable nest boxes and they apply to a box you make yourself or one that you purchase.

1. First make sure the wood is untreated and unpainted. The best woods to use are cedar, pine, cypress, or for larger boxes, non-pressure treated CDX exterior grade plywood.
2. Second, use galvanized screws for construction. These hold up better than nails and are easier to remove when repairs are needed.
3. Third, make sure the roof is sloped and hangs over the main body of the house by 2-4 inches over the opening and 2 inches along the sides. This will help keep out rain even when it gets heavy and the wind is whipping wildly and will also help defend against predators. Adding ¼” cuts under all three edges of the roof will help funnel water away from the house, like rain gutters on our own houses.
4. Fourth, a recessed floor helps keep the nest dry and prolongs the life of the box.
5. Drainage holes on the floor are important, just in case water gets in. You can cut away the corners of the floor if you’re making it yourself or drill