What Birds Want
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Comfort, security, custom features and a short commute. Birds, it seems, value the same attributes we do when it comes to finding a place to raise a family. If you want to draw songbirds to your garden (and who doesn't?), look for birdhouses that, ahem, fit the bill.
Comfort
Birdhouses should be at least three-quarters of an inch thick to provide insulation against cold and heat. The roof should be sloped and watertight to keep rainwater out. The base should have drainage holes to prevent rainwater from soaking nests and tenants. One side of the house should hinge open to allow old nest material to be cleaned out now, before nesting season begins. Place houses away from high-traffic areas such as a front walk.
Safety
Houses should be hung or positioned well above the ground -- at least five feet -- to keep predators at bay. If you are attaching one to a tree, keep it away from a branch where cats might gain access. Try to place the house facing east, away from prevailing winds and in an area of partial shade. Birds also need a clear shot at flying in and out. Perches are not needed and may allow bullying birds such as starlings or house sparrows to drive off desired species.
Custom fitting
The diameter of the entrance hole is critical to getting the birds you want. If it's too large, you may get starlings instead of chickadees. A chickadee entrance, for example, should be 1 1/8 inches across; one for nuthatches, house wrens and titmice should be 1 1/4 inches, and a bluebird hole, 1 1/2 inches. Some retailers sell metal-framed holes that screw onto the house. This prevents woodpeckers and squirrels from enlarging the entrances.
The Commute
For birds, the job is to find food and a place to bathe. Shorten the commute by providing bird baths and feeders, and by avoiding pesticides, which kill the insects that fledglings need.
Birdhouse sources: The Garden Path, 866-439-8368, http:/
Books:"Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife" by David Mizejewski; "The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds" by Stephen W. Kress. http:/
Adrian Higgins
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