Tips for selecting a bird house.

The following are some tips that you should look for when selecting a bird house. Note: all of our bird houses meet these specs.

1. The box must have clean out capabilities. You must be able to open the box, either on the side, front, or top. This helps in cleaning out the box at the end of the season.*

2. The roof should overhang the entrance hole by 1 to 2 inches. The overhang will help to keep the rain out and also shade the entrance.

3. Bird houses do not need perches. In fact, they are better off without them.. They can be a disadvantage in that they may attract House Sparrows, an invasive species that often takes over nests from our native hole-nesting birds.

4. Entrance Hole Size, Choose a hole size that is specific for the particular bird you are buying it for. If you are not sure, or if you just want a generic size, most common hole-nesting birds can use an entrance hole 1 1/2 inches in diameter. This size also keeps out the invasive Starlings.

5. The box must be ventilated. There must be holes or slits at the top of the box sides or along the top of the front of the box to let hot air out when the sun beats down on the box in summer.

6. The box must be able to drain properly. The bottom of the box needs to have holes or cut off corners to allow any water to drain out of the box.

7. The box must be easy to mount. Check to see if there is some way that you can attach the box to a pole, such as holes or a bracket or if it can by hung by a chain or a rope.

8. Be sure that the materials the box is made of are ½" - ¾" inch thick wood, usually pine or cedar, or a similar material that will insulate the birds from cold and heat.

*The only exception to this, are the large Martin feeders. It is just not possible to have openings for every compartment. However, the entrance holes for Purple Martins is large enough to allow easy end of season cleaning by using tongs or a hooked instrument.