WBU Educational Resources
|
|
The Great
Backyard
Bird Count
Major sponsorship provided by
Wild Birds Unlimited. |
 |
 Click
here for more topics about
backyard birdfeeding and the
wild birds visiting your yard!
|
| |
|
Houses For Birds
Houses for birds provide nesting sites for birds that require a cavity in which to
nest. Primary cavity nesting species (such as woodpeckers) excavate their own sites.
Secondary cavity nesters rely on pre-existing cavities. Secondary nesters lack the ability
to create their own nesting sites and will readily accept secondary housing.
|
|
There are three types of housing categories carried by most Wild Birds Unlimited
stores. The first is considered functional; the second is functional decorative, and the
third is for decorative use only.
Functional Houses
It is important that functional houses meet the criteria of the proper housing
situation for birds. It is important that houses have the following characteristics:
-
good ventilation
-
panel for easy cleanout/removal of pests
-
adequate drainage
-
roof overhang providing shade and protection from driving rain
-
no perches
Ventilation
It is important for functional houses to have good ventilation. Panels of wood that
are ¾ inches thick help provide insulation from the heat. Holes near the top of the house
allow for the heat to escape.
Clean out
A side panel that opens allows for easy clean out of the nest at the end of the
season which helps to keep the pest population down. (The Wild Birds Unlimited houses
allow for viewing or photographing of the birds without disturbing them by offering a top
opening panel.)
Drainage
Holes at the bottom corners allow for drainage. Drainage holes in the middle of the
bottom will not adequately allow for drainage.
Perches
Perches are not necessary and actually allow sparrows and other birds a place to sit
and access the hole.
Fledgling ladder
It is a good idea (especially for bluebird houses) to provide either slashes or a
ladder to help the fledglings leave the house.
Functional houses should fit the requirements for the kind of bird that is desired and
should be mounted in a manner that is safe for that kind of bird. Consult the Wild Birds
Unlimited Housing Guide (available at Wild Birds
Unlimited stores) for more information.
Decorative Functional
Houses
Decorative functional houses are often painted or decorated. They should perform as
basic houses for customers who wish to provide housing for the birds, but want a more
decorative look for their yards. These are also used as decoration inside homes and
offices. This category of houses may include houses that are decorated but do not
necessarily fill all of the functional housing requirements. It is important for this
category of houses to fulfill basic requirements such as ventilation, drainage, cleanout
and basic size requirements.
Decorative Houses
Decorative houses are not functional houses. They do not meet enough of the
requirements to be considered proper housing for birds. They should only be used as
decoration for inside the home, office, etc. Decorative houses are great for nature lovers
to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside.
top
|
