I walk by a house with this birdhouse that looks like a frog. The creativity of people who create birdhouses amazes me. There are bird houses that look like other kinds of animals, miniature mansions, abstract art, etc. I also saw one on my walk that looked like a miniature stone cottage. The attention to detail in birdhouses is superb. I have never attempted to build a birdhouse myself, but I am extremely grateful that there are talented artisans who will do it for me.
According to Wikipedia, a nest box — also spelled nestbox — is a manmade enclosure provided for animals to nest in. Nest boxes are most frequently utilized for birds, in which case they are also called birdhouses or a birdbox/bird box, but some mammalian species such as bats may also use them. Placing nestboxes or roosting boxes may also be used to help maintain populations of particular species in an area. The modern nest box was invented by the British conservationist Charles Waterton in the early 19th century to encourage more birdlife and wildfowl on the nature reserve he set up on his estate.
Traditional nest boxes have existed in many civilizations, since antiquity.
Nest boxes are getting more attention because industrialization, deforestation and other human activities since the mid-20th century have caused severe declines in birds' natural habitats, introducing hurdles to breeding. A nest box can help prevent bird extinction.
General construction
Nest boxes are usually wooden, although the purple martin will nest in metal. Some boxes are made from a mixture of wood and concrete, called woodcrete. Ceramic and plastic nestboxes are not suitable.
Nest boxes should be made from untreated wood with an overhanging, sloped roof; a recessed floor; drainage and ventilation holes; a way to access the interior for monitoring and cleaning and have no outside perches which could assist predators. Boxes may either have an entrance hole or be open-fronted. Some nest boxes can be highly decorated and complex, sometimes mimicking human houses or other structures. They may also contain nest box cameras so that use of — and activity within — the box can be monitored.
Nest box cameras
A nest box camera, also known as a bird box camera, is a photographic device fitted inside a nest box in order to monitor its inhabitants. Many internet sites broadcast video streams and still images of nesting birds in real time. Most cameras use visible light to capture images. Infrared cameras may be used alone or in conjunction with visible light cameras if the birds are active at night. Infrared light is not dangerous to nesting birds. Wired and wireless systems are used. A webcam is frequently used by enthusiasts but the quality is usually standard-definition[. Wired network cameras allow the streaming of high-definition video to the internet or to internal or external storage. Some nest box cameras have microphones inside them. It is relatively easy to construct a nest box camera because it involves little more than installing a camera in a nest box, remembering only to choose or construct a nest box large enough to contain the camera, to have a box deep enough to enable proper focusing of the camera and to use a camera suitable for outdoor conditions.
Bird nest box construction
The diameter of the opening in a nest-box has a very strong influence on the species of birds that will use the box. Many small birds select boxes with a hole only just large enough for an adult bird to pass through. This may be an adaptation to prevent other birds from raiding it. In the photo on the left, note the use of different diameter entrance holes.
The size of the nest box also affects the bird species likely to use the box. Very small boxes attract wrens and treecreepers and very large ones may attract ducks and owls. Seasonally removing old nest material and parasites is important if they are to be successfully re-used.
The material used in the construction may also be significant. Sparrows have been shown to prefer woodcrete boxes rather than wooden ones. Birds nesting in woodcrete sites had earlier clutches, a shorter incubation period and more reproductive success, perhaps because the synthetic nests were warmer than their wooden counterparts.
Placement of the nest box is also significant. Some birds (including birds of prey) prefer their nest box to be at a particular height, while others (such as ducks) may prefer them to be very low or even at ground level. Orientation relative to the sun is also important, with many birds preferring their boxes to be away from direct sun and sheltered from the prevailing rain.
Bat box construction
Bat boxes differ from bird nest boxes in typical design — with the larger opening on the underside of the box — and are more often referred to as bat boxes, although in regard to the rearing of young, they serve the same purpose. Some threatened bat species can be locally supported with the provision of appropriately placed bat boxes, however species that roost in foliage or large cavities will not use bat boxes. Bat boxes are typically made out of wood, and there are several designs for boxes with single or multiple chambers. Directions for making the open bottom bat houses for small and large colonies, as well as locations to purchase them are available on the internet. Color and placement is important to ensuring that bat boxes are used; bat boxes that are too shaded will not heat up enough to attract a maternity colony of bats. Australian bat box projects have been running for over 12 years in particular at the Organ Pipes National Park. Currently there are 42 roost boxes using the "Stebbings Design" which have peaked at 280 bats roosting in them. The biggest problem with roosting boxes of any kind is the ongoing maintenance; problems include boxes falling down, wood deteriorating and pests such as ants, the occasional rat, possums and spiders.
According to Melissa Mayntz’s article “How to Choose the Right Bird House for the Bird You Want to Attract” in Everything Birds, it will be easier to attract birds to a bird house if you know which birds are already in your neighborhood during the nesting season. Watch your feeders carefully, noting which species you see most often. Check birds’ range maps in your favorite field guide to verify that they nest in your region. Or, consult with a local birding group about the most common nesting birds in your area.
Once you know which birds are most likely nesting nearby, make your yard friendlier for those species by offering their favorite foods at feeding stations. You can also plant flowers, trees and shrubs that best suit their needs. Offering a clean bird bath is another way to attract birds. You can also offer safe nesting material such as grass clippings, twigs, pine needles and natural cotton fluff. Once the birds become aware of your yard as a safe sanctuary, they will be more willing to check out bird houses in the vicinity.
The best bird house options for some of the most desirable birds include:
Bluebirds: These colorful, charismatic birds are always a top choice for birders to attract. They readily nest in wooden houses with vertical rectangle shapes. The interior floor should be 5×5 inches, and the entrance should be 1.5 inches in diameter. Mount the house to a pole, tree or wall 3-6 feet above the ground to attract bluebirds the best.
Wrens and Chickadees: These small, energetic birds will both use houses with floors measuring 4×4 inches and entrance holes 1.25 inches across. Wrens and chickadees favor angular or diamond-shaped houses. Mount the houses 5-12 feet above the ground.
Downy Woodpeckers: Tiny and widespread, Downy woodpeckers easily nest in houses offering 4×4 inches of floor space and 1.25-inch entrances. Mount houses for Downy woodpeckers to tree trunks at heights ranging from 15-20 feet, preferably in shaded areas that are quiet but still close to prime feeding locations.
Red-Bellied Woodpeckers: These common, feisty woodpeckers enjoy larger houses with floor space measuring 7×9 inches, and an entrance that is roughly 2.5 inches in diameter. They prefer wooden houses, and you should firmly mount them on tree trunks at least 10-20 feet above the ground.
Purple Martins: These large, colorful swallows are colonial nesters that thrive best in large, apartment-style houses or groups of nesting gourds. The floor space should measure 6×6 inches and the entrance hole — which can be round or a horizontal half-moon shape — should be 2.5 inches across. The houses should be hung 10-15 feet high in a broad, open area.
Nuthatches: Similar to wrens and chickadees, nuthatches also prefer houses with floors measuring 4×4 inches and 1.25-inch entrance hole diameters. These birds will nest in houses of different shapes. The houses should be hung in trees or attached to sturdy trunks roughly 5-15 feet above the ground.
Pileated Woodpeckers: These large woodpeckers need large, sturdy wooden homes with interior floors measuring 8×8 inches and entrances 3-4 inches across. The overall interior height of the house should be 24 inches, with the structure mounted in a sturdy tree at least 15-25 feet above the ground.
American Kestrels: The smallest North American falcon, American kestrels will nest in houses with 8×8-inch floor measurements and 3-inch entrance holes. Ideally, these houses should be mounted on posts, poles, walls or tall trees at least 10-30 feet above the ground. Face them toward open spaces to give the birds the best hunting views.
Screech-Owls: Both eastern and western screech-owls will nest in houses with floor space of 8×8 inches and entrances 3 inches across. Mount the houses in quieter, more secluded areas to help these nocturnal birds feel comfortable. Sturdily attach them to trees at least 15-30 feet above the ground.
Many favorite backyard birds don’t nest in fully enclosed houses, but they will use nesting shelves and platforms. Birds that use nest platforms include:
American Robins: These popular thrushes prefer larger nesting shelves with 8×8-inch floors and fully open sides. Position the shelf to face nearby foliage and mount it 7-15 feet high.
Blue Jays: These colorful corvids will nest on shelves that have 8×8-inch floors and sloping roofs providing some shelter. You can also place open shelves under eaves for nesting blue jays.
Mourning Doves: Gentle and peaceful, mourning doves will use nesting shelves with 8×8-inch floors and open sides. Position shelves 7-14 feet high and facing open space.
Barn Swallows: These acrobatic swallows prefer nesting shelves that measure 4×4 inches on the floor, with narrow or open sides. Mount barn swallow shelves under porch or roof eaves.
Brown Thrashers: These songsters will use larger, open shelves that measure 7×9 inches on the floor. The shelves must be positioned just 1-3 feet above the ground in a brushy area.
Gray Catbirds: Another ground-nester, gray catbirds will use 6×8-inch nesting shelves at 3-10 feet above the ground. The roof’s corner posts should be about 8 inches high.
According to Lauren Matthews’ March 7, 2108 article “21 Decorative Birdhouses That Will Bring All the Birds to the Yard” in Country Living, below are some examples of unusual birdhouses.
Dragon Weathervane Birdhouse
“Game of Thrones” fans will be particularly enamored with this castle fit for a queen bird.
Americana Birdhouse
This little bird bungalow is outfitted with red, white, and blue star-shaped LED lights controlled by a timer. How festive is that?!
Barnyard Birdhouse
Old MacDonald had a ... sparrow? Here a tweet, there a tweet, everywhere a tweet tweet, thanks to this cute barn-shaped birdhouse.
Ranger Station Birdhouse
This is the perfect birdhouse companion for any log cabin.
Bird Farmhouse
This classic wooden birdhouse comes with its own bunting.
Cottage Birdhouse
With a quaint pink door, window boxes filled with red blooms and a little chimney, this birdhouse has major curb appeal.
Star Barn Birdhouse
If you're an architecture enthusiast, you need this birdhouse inspired by the real-life Star Barn located in the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish Country.
White House
Think politics are for the birds? Then get yourself one of these.
Southern Victorian
Your local birds can live in style, thanks to this two-story Victorian birdhouse.
Post Office Birdhouse
A post office for birds? Now that's something to tweet about!
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