How To Attract Birds To A Birdhouse: 5 Effective Methods

by John Griffith
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There are around 11 000 recognized bird species worldwide. And that is just for now. New species are constantly being discovered! These wonderful creatures come in a variety of shapes, colors, patterns, and textures. This makes observing them a real pleasure. So, if you want to have the opportunity to enjoy more of their beauty, then you should get a birdhouse. A birdhouse will help entice these feathered friends to spend more time around your home. While not all species prefer to raise their families in an enclosed space, there are plenty of cavity-nesting birds that will love making your birdhouse their home. However, you need to make sure they know the house is up for grabs. That’s why today we will show you how to attract birds to a birdhouse with some simple tips and tricks.

There are around 11 000 recognized bird species worldwide

birds flying into bird houses

How To Attract Birds To A Birdhouse

As we mentioned, not all birds like to nest in enclosed spaces. But there are a ton that love a cozy shelter. Some cavity-nesting birds that may like to “rent” your birdhouse include chickadees, bluebirds, trogons, wrens, flycatchers, and many more. Even some duck species like to use birdhouses and nest boxes! Over 60 bird species like to use well-built and placed birdhouses, according to Zach Hutchinson (ornithologist and owner of FlockingAround.com). There are a couple of things you need to do to ensure your birdhouse is successful in attracting birds. Here they are:

Over 60 bird species like to use well-built and placed birdhouses

small brown bird on stick

#Set up multiple houses

Birds are a lot more likely to hang out in your garden if there is more than one house available. Get a variety of homes in different colors, with different size entrance holes, and so on. The more variety the more species of birds you will be able to attract to your property.

Get a variety of homes in different colors

how to attract birds to a birdhouse different colored birdhouses

#Find the perfect spot

Set up your houses somewhere far away from the reach of predators, like cats and squirrels. Also, keep them out of reach of loud noises. You also need to place the entrances away from prevailing winds which means you usually need to position them towards the east. Make sure they are at least five feet off the ground and up to fifteen feet off the ground. Also make sure that the houses aren’t in direct sunlight, especially if you live in a warmer area. If you get multiple houses, place them adequately apart to reduce competition between the birds.

Set up your houses somewhere far away from the reach of predators

bird house with bird

#Offer nesting materials

Help these little feathered creatures out by leaving around nesting materials. Leave things like dried leaves, grass clippings, small twigs, pine, animal hair and so on around your garden. Place them somewhere convenient to appeal to the birds more. They will appreciate this and motivate them to make their home there as they will have plenty of materials to build it.

Help these little feathered creatures out by leaving around nesting materials

how to attract birds to a birdhouse bird with stick in mouth

#Have food and water ready

Other than materials for their homes, you can also leave out food and water. This will make your garden a really attractive place. Easy access to shelter, food, and water?! Sign me up! Add a variety of food sources through bird feeders. Fill them up with seeds and other things they love. It’s also a great idea to put a bird bath as this not only gives them easy access to water it’s also great for bathing and splashing around, which birds love. Just make sure to keep the water fresh and clean.

Put a bird bath in your garden near the birdhouses

birds in bird bath

#Keep them clean

Just like us, birds prefer a clean home. So, it’s much more likely for them to move into a birdhouse that is kept in tip-top shape. Once your feathery tenant has moved out, take the time to clean up the home. Remove any previous remnants of bird occupation and give the house a good clean. This way the new birds will know it is free and will move in.

It’s much more likely for birds to move into a birdhouse that is kept in tip-top shape

how to attract birds to a birdhouse birds flying into birdhouse

These were some of the best methods when it comes to how to attract birds to a birdhouse. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can easily attract more of these feathered visitors to your garden and enjoy their beauty.

These were some of the best methods when it comes to how to attract birds to a birdhouse

how to attract birds to a birdhouse two house sparrow birds

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John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.