Bird Houses

Bird Houses provide homes for cavity nesting birds - those birds that naturally nest in hollow cavities in dead or deteriorating trees, which are commonly known as snags. There are around 85 species of cavity nesters in North America. The majority of them are insectivours, and thus play an important role in controlling forest and garden pests. Many species are declining in numbers due to habitat loss from logging, and development. The good news is that you can help. Bird houses have played a vital role in increasing the numbers of some species such as bluebirds and purple martins which had previously been in decline. In fact, some species are now almost totally dependent on man-made bird houses.

Select a category on the left to see our great selection of bird houses!

Bluebird Houses come in a vast array of styles from decorative to practical wood designs. Bluebirds are often displaced by more aggressive birds such as the house sparrow. You can create a bluebird trail by putting up multiple blue bird houses to help ensure the success of these wonderful birds.

Decorative Bird Houses are available in a wide variety of styles. Check here to see our great selection of decorative, whimsical and fancy birdhouses. Decorative bird houses are typically designed for the smaller birds, such as bluebirds, chickadees, house wrens and nuthatches.

Eco-Friendly Birdhouses are made of recycled plastic and thus will last a very long time. Purchasing a recycled plastic bird house helps keep plastics, such as milk jugs, and water bottles out of land fills. Recycle and provide habitat for wild birds with eco-friendly birdhouses.

Purple Martin Houses provide habitat for these beautiful birds which are almost totally dependent on man made housing. Folks who provide housing to Martins are referred to as purple martin landlords, and they tend to take their jobs very seriously. There are a wide variety of housing styles from which to choose, from light weight aluminum to durable wood. Read more about purple martin bird houses and learn about these fascinating birds in this section.

Wooden Bird Houses and nest boxes are typically designed according to the appropriate dimensions for specific species of bird, or group of birds. You will find houses for a great variety of wild birds here, including chickadees, house wrens, woodpeckers, owls and ducks. Wood bird houses are often made of natural wood such as cedar to ensure long life and durability, and they typically allow for ventilation and drainage, which makes them more bird friendly. As a plus, many of our wooden birdhouses are made right here in the U.S.A.

When choosing a bird house, note that the hole size determines the species of birds the nest box will accommodate. For example, a one inch opening will only accommodate house wrens, while a 1-1/4 inch opening will accommodate house wrens, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. A 1.5 inch opening will attract all of those birds plus bluebirds, tree swallows, house finches, and more.

Although most small birds actually prefer a 1.5 inch opening, bird houses are typically designed to provide the smallest opening a bird will accept. This ensures that larger birds, such as house sparrows will be excluded. House sparrows are an aggressive invasive species that tend to monopolize available nesting sites displacing our native birds at a time when natural tree cavities are becoming increasingly scarce. It is important to note that while smaller birds may accept a larger entrance, the depth of the larger nest boxes may cause problems for small fledglings when they try to leave the nest.

Experienced birders know that the best bird houses feature ventilation, drainage, and doors that open for clean-out. In addition, predator guards are useful to thwart squirrels and raccoons which are known to prey on eggs and chicks. Some nest boxes also feature "kerfs" or screens inside the nest box under the entrance which help baby birds get out when it comes time to fledge the nest.

You never know for sure what species of bird will ultimately make your bird house it's home. Try providing multiple bird houses to accommodate a variety of wild birds, large and small.

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