Bird Houses

More than two dozen North American birds will nest in bird houses. Bluebirds prefer nest boxes on a tree stump or wooden fence post. Robins like to build their nest in the crotch of a tree. If you don't have an appropriate tree, you can offer a nesting platform. Chickadees and Nuthatches share the same food, feeders, and habitats. If you put a properly designed nest box in a wooded yard, at least one pair is sure to check it out. Wrens don't seem to be very picky about where they nest and will accept nest boxes quite close to your house. Tree Swallows prefer nest boxes attached to dead trees. The ideal setting for these insect-eaters is on the edge of a field near a lake, pond, or river. Violet-green Swallows nest in forested mountains of the west; boxes placed on large trees in a semi-open woodland will attract them. Purple Martins nest in groups, so you'll need a house with a minimum of four large rooms. Woodpeckers such as the Flicker, Downy and Red-headed Woodpecker are likely to use a bird house. With the right conditions, hummingbirds will even build their nest on a forked nesting perch.