When mounting a wooden bird house

Be sure to look at our extensive bird house collection at the Purple Rooster Online in addition to placement for a specific species,
consider accessibility for convenience and safety when monitoring and cleaning.

Be sure houses are securely mounted.

Don’t crowd a yard with nestboxes. Wrens may build nests in several boxes before selecting one, but too many boxes may deter other birds.

Bluebird nest boxes should be about 100 yards apart although swallow boxes can be placed within 10 yards of the bluebird boxes and make good neighbors as they are less intimidated by sparrows.

Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Owls do not migrate south in winter and may use nestboxes in winter. Mounting in the fall or winter will give the box a chance to weather before spring.

Place 1 or 2 inches of dry wood chips in the boxes intended for Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Owls. Sawdust will not ventilate and dehydrate as well as chips and chips are easier for birds to rearrange or pack in and out. Fill a box intended for a Flicker. They will excavate the chips.

For all other birds, no nesting material or food should be placed in a bird house. Don’t put bird houses near bird feeders. Face away from prevailing winds and out of prolonged direct sunlight.
Hanging/swinging birdhouses are preferred by some species and rarely used by others. Wrens like them. Chickadees and Tree Swallows will use them occasionally.

From Your Friends at Purple Rooster Online