Bird Houses   One of the great joys of birding is to see birds successfully raise their young in your own backyard.  Many birds will gladly move into a well designed and properly placed bird house (or nest box).  See a list of birds that will nest in nestboxes.

Tips for Selecting Bird Houses

• Successful bird houses are built for a specific bird.  Decide which birds you want to attract to your yard and purchase or make your birdhouse accordingly.
• Wood is probably the best material for birdhouses.  Cypress and cedar are good choices because they weather well.  Pine is acceptable, but won't last as long.
• Avoid houses made with shiny materials such as metal roofs.  The reflective surfaces can attract predators. 
• Nest boxes should have ventilation.  This can be achieved through leaving gaps between the sides of the box and the roof or by drilling holes in the sides just below the roof.
• Nest boxes should have drainage in the floor.
• A rough surface on both the inside and outside of a nest box makes it easier for birds to get in and out. 
• Nest boxes should not have perches on the outside below the entrance hole.  Perches give predators access to the birds in your birdhouse.
• Top opening nest boxes provide easiest access for checking on birds without disturbing the nest. 
• A predator guard is often a thick block of wood at the entrance hole.  A predator guard deepens the entrance hole and makes it more difficult for a raccoon or cat to get its arm inside the box.  Predator guards made of sheet metal will keep squirrels out of your nest boxes.

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