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HabitatsFor Birds

Among the fondest and most memorable moments of childhoodare the discoveries of songbirds nesting in the backyard. Thedistinctive, mud-lined nests of robins and their beautiful blueeggs captivate people of all ages. Likewise, the nesting activitiesof house wrens, cardinals, chickadees, and other common birdscan stimulate a lifelong interest in nature. As you learn to enjoy the beauty of birdlife around your home,you may wish to improve the "habitat" in your yard so that morebirds will visit your property. You can attract birds by placingbird feeders, nest boxes, and bird baths in your yard, and byplanting a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. These canprovide good nesting sites, winter shelter, places to hide frompredators and natural food supplies that are available year-round.

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Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way toenjoy wildlife. More than 65 million Americans ofall ages watch, feed and landscape for birds.It doesn't matter where you live - in anapartment, townhouse or single family dwelling,in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand stilland you'll hear them: wild birds. It is hard toimagine life without them. Bird watching is one of the fastest growing formsof outdoor recreation in the country. Each yearmillions of people discover for the first time thejoys of birdwatching. It's easy to understand why.Birds are fun to watch. And you can watch them just about everywhere.The most convenient place to start is right inyour own backyard. All it takes to get theirattention is food or water, a place to build a nestand appropriate vegetation.

Backyard Bird Feeding Getting Started When you want to attract a particular birdspecies and keep it coming back to yourbackyard, what you do will be determined bywhere you live, and the time of year. Forexample, on any winter day, you are likely to seea cardinal at a sunflower feeder in Virginia, agoldfinch at a thistle feeder in Massachusettsand hummingbirds at a nectar feeder in southernCalifornia. A bird field identification book has pictures ofdifferent birds and will help you find the namesfor the birds you're likely to see and the time ofyear you're most likely to see them. So, firstdetermine what birds are likely to occur in yourarea.Feeder Selection When the ground is covered with snow and ice,it's hard to resist just tossing seed out the door.But it's healthier for the birds to get the theirhandouts at a feeding station, rather than off theground. Regardless of the season, food that sitson the ground for even a short time is exposedto contamination by dampness, mold, bacteria,animal droppings, lawn fertilizers and pesticides. You can start simply with a piece of' scrap woodelevated a few inches above the ground. Add afew holes for, drainage and you've built aplatform feeder. It won't be long before the birdsfind it.

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Placement There are several factors to consider after you'vedecided to feed birds in your backyard. Where do you want to watch your birds? From akitchen window ... a sliding glass door openingonto a deck ... a second-story window?

Pick a location that is easy toget to. When the weather isbad and birds are mostvulnerable, you may bereluctant to fill a feeder that isnot in a convenient spot near adoor or an accessible window.Also, pick a site where

discarded seed shells and bird droppings won'tbe a cleanup problem.Put your feeder where the squirrels can't reach.Squirrels become a problem when they take overa bird feeder, scaring the birds away and tossingseed all over. Squirrels have been known tochew right through plastic and wooden feeders.If you've seen squirrels in your neighborhood, itis safe to assume they will visit your feeder.Think long and hard before you hang anythingfrom a tree limb. Squirrels are incredibly agile,and any feeder hanging from a tree is likely tobecome a squirrel feeder.

In the long run, a squirrel-prooffeeder or any feeder on a polewith a baffle is the leastaggravating solution. The mosteffective squirrel-proof feederis the pole-mounted metal"house" type.

If you must hang a feeder, select a tubeprotected with metal mesh. Most plastic "squirrel-proof " feeders, despite manufacturers' claims,may eventually succumb to the squirrels. Anywood or plastic feeder can be effective whenmounted on a pole with a plastic or metal baffle,if the pole is at least 10 feet or more from a treelimb or trunk (squirrels can jump greatdistances). Durability Bird feeders are made from a variety ofmaterials. You can buy disposable plastic bagfeeders; feeders made of cloth, nylon, vinyl andmetal netting; clear, lexan, colored and PVCplastic tubes; ceramic and terra cotta; redwood,western cedar, birch, pine and plywood; sheetmetal and aluminized steel; glass tubes andbottles.

How long a feeder lastsdepends on how well youmaintain it, the effects ofweather, and whether squirrelscan get to it. Water can get intoany feeder regardless of howcarefully you protect it. Cloth,

vinyl, nylon and metal netting feeders areinexpensive, but they do not protect your seedfrom spoiling in damp or wet weather. Improvethem by adding a plastic dome. Most wood, plastic, ceramic and solid metalfeeders keep seed dry, but water can get into thefeeding portals. Look for feeders with drainageholes in the bottoms of both the feeder hopperand the seed tray. Even bowl-type feeders and trays with drainageholes will clog with seed and bird droppings thatcan mix with rainwater and be unhealthy for anyanimal. Look for shallow plate-like seed trays tocatch dropped seeds while allowing spent seedshells to blow away.

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When you feed birds, expect bird droppings anda leftover food mess. While you do not have towash the feeder daily, you should clean it atleast every few weeks. Diseases like salmonellacan grow in moldy, wet seed and bird droppingsin your feeder tray and on the ground below.Move your feeder a few feet each season to givethe ground underneath time to assimilate theseed debris and bird droppings. The maintenance required to keep your feederclean varies according to the type of feeder. Athistle feeder for goldfinches should be cleanedabout once a month depending on how often itrains. Feeding hummingbirds requires cleaningat the very least weekly, but preferably two orthree times a week. Sunflower and suet feedersneed to be cleaned only once a month. Plastic, ceramic and glass feeders are easy toclean. Wash them in a bucket of hot, soapywater fortified with a capful or two of chlorinebleach. Use the same regimen with woodfeeders, but substitute another disinfectant forthe bleach so your wood won't fade. Food Capacity The ideal feeder capacity varies with yoursituation, and the types of birds you want toattract. If you feed hummingbirds, big feedersare not always better. One hummingbird willdrink about twice its body weight (less than anounce) a day. Early in the season, hummers areterritorial and won't share a feeder. A sixteen-ounce feeder can be wasteful, or even lethal,because artificial nectar (sugar water) canferment in the hot summer sun. A two-ouncefeeder is more than enough for one hummer.Increase the size of your feeder depending onyour location and how many hummers you seein your yard.

If you opt for a large-volume seed feeder, protectit from the weather and keep it clean. If aftermonths of use, the birds suddenly abandon yourfeeder full of seed, it's time for a cleaning. How Many Birds If too many birds at your feeder become aproblem, you can control their numbers by puttingout smaller amounts of seed, or by usingspecialty seeds or restrictive feeders that willattract only certain species. If you fill your feederonly when it's empty, the birds will look for foodelsewhere. You can encourage small birds and discouragelarge birds with feeders that restrict access.Wood feeders with vertical bars and feederscovered with wire mesh frustrate larger birds. The most non-selective feeders are the tray,platform or house feeders because they alloweasy access by all birds. Tube feeders without trays also restrict access toonly small birds. Remove the perches, andyou've further restricted the feeder to only thosebirds that can easily cling - finches, chickadees,titmice and woodpeckers.

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If starlings are a problem at your suet feeder,discourage them by using a suet feeder withaccess only from the bottom. Starlings arereluctant to perch upside down. Chickadees andwoodpeckers don't find that a problem. You can virtually eliminate visits by birds youwould rather not see by offering seeds they won'teat. If you use more than one type of seed, putthem in separate feeders. This will reducewasted seeds, as birds will toss unwanted seedsout of a feeder to get to their favorites. Watch a feeder filled with a seed mix and you'llsee the birds methodically drop or kick out mostof the seeds to get to their favorite-sunflower.

Many birds prefer sunflower. Some prefer millet.A few prefer peanuts. Sparrows, blackbirds,doves and juncos will eat the other grains usedin pre-made mixes: corn, milo, red millet, oats,wheat and canary seed. Birds will also kick outartificial "berry" pellets, processed seed flavoredand colored to look like real fruit. Black oil sunflower is the hands-down favorite ofall the birds that visit tube and house feeders.Birds who visit platform feeders (doves andsparrows) favor white proso millet. Ducks, geeseand quail will eat corn. Many cereal grains (corn,milo, oats, canary, wheat, rape, flax andbuckwheat) in mixed bird seeds are NOTfavorites of birds that visit tube feeders. The most effective way to attract the largestvariety of birds to your yard is to put out separatefeeders for each food:

• a starling-resistant suet feeder • a house feeder for sunflower • a bluebird feeder a wire mesh cage feeder

for peanut • a nectar feeder • a tube feeder for thistle • a stationary or tray fruit feeder • a house or platform feeder for millet

Suet Feeder Feeding Tray Thistle Feeder Nut Feeder

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Birds Attracted by Various Feeders and Foods

Tube Feederwith BlackOilSunflower

goldfinches chickadeeswoodpeckers nuthatches

titmice redpolls pine siskins

Fruit orioles tanagersmockingbirds bluebirds thrashers cardinals woodpeckers

jays starlings thrushes cedar waxwings yellow-breasted chats

... Adding aTray to theTube FeederWill AlsoAttract

cardinals jays crossbills purple finches

house finches

white-throatedsparrowswhite-crownedsparrows

HangingSuet Feeder

woodpeckers wrens chickadees nuthatches kinglets

thrashers creepers cardinals starlings

Tray orPlatformFeeder-withMillet

doves housesparrows blackbirds juncos cowbirds towhees

white-throatedsparrowstree sparrowswhite-crownedsparrowschippingsparrows

PeanutButter Suet

woodpeckers goldfinches juncos cardinals thrushes

jays kinglets bluebirds wrens starlings

Tray orPlatformFeeder --with Corn

starlings housesparrows grackles jays juncos bobwhite quail

doves ring-neckedpheasantswhite-throatedsparrows

HangingPeanutFeeder

woodpeckers chickadees titmice

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PlatformFeeder orTube Feederand Tray -with Peanuts

cardinals grackles titmice starlings jays

Uninvited Guests at the Birdfeeder Once you get your bird feeding station up andrunning, you may run into problems with twokinds of uninvited guests - those interested inthe seeds (squirrels and chipmunks, rats andmice, and starlings and house sparrows), andthose interested in eating a bird for dinner (catsand hawks).

Niger ThistleFeeder withTray

goldfinches house finches purple finches redpolls pine siskins doves

chickadees song sparrows dark-eyed juncoswhite-throatedsparrows

NectarFeeder

hummingbirds orioles cardinals tanagers

woodpeckers finches thrushes

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When a squirrel is at the feeder, you're not likelyto see birds. Squirrels will scare off the birdswhile they eat the seed and sometimes they willeat the feeder too. The simplest solution is asquirrel-proof feeder or pole. Starlings and house sparrows are not native toNorth America and are aggressive towards otherspecies. Choose your feeder and seed toexclude these species if possible.Chipmunks, rats and mice can also become aproblem where there is seed spillage under thefeeder. Don't use mixed bird seed, and if youdon't have a squirrel problem, add a feeder tray.Feral cats and your neighbor's tabby are aserious threat to many birds. Keep feeders awayfrom brushpiles and shrubbery, as this offerscats the necessary cover to surprise birds. If there are no cats in your neighborhood andyou find a pile of feathers near your feeder, lookfor a full-bellied hawk perching on a tree nearby.Don't put out poisons or try to trap hawksthough, as this is against state and federal law. Questions about Feeding Wild BirdsWhen is the best time to start? Usually, whenever the weather is severe, birdswill appreciate a reliable supplemental foodsource. In northern areas, start before the onsetof cold weather so birds have time to find thefeeder.When's the best time to stop?Although you can feed birds year -round,especially with fruit and nectar, you can stopfeeding seeds once a reliable supply of insects isavailable in the spring.

Is it best to stop feeding hummingbirds afterLabor Day?There is no evidence that feeding hummingbirdsafter Labor Day will keep them from migrating. Infact, it may help a weakened straggler refuel forthe long haul. Leave your nectar feeders out untilthe birds stop coming. How long does it take for birds to find a feeder? It may take more time for birds to find windowfeeders than hanging or pole-mounted feeders.You may want to wrap aluminum foil around thetop of the feeder hanger. Sometimes all it takesis the reflection of light on the foil to catch theirattention. My feeder is full of seeds. I haven't seen a bird inmonths. Am I doing something wrong?When birds desert your feeder, it may be simplythat a lot of natural food is available nearby Orsomething may be wrong, such as spoiled seedsor a contaminated feeder. Throw the seeds awayand wash the feeder. Look at where your feederis placed. Be sure it's not vulnerable topredators. At the same time, make sure it is notin an open area, away from the cover in whichbirds usually travel. Will birds' feet stick to metal feeders and perchesin the wet winter weather?Birds don't have sweat glands in their feet, sothey won't freeze onto metal feeders. There's noneed to cover any metal feeders parts withplastic or wood to protect birds' feet, tongues oreyes.

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Do wild birds need grit? Birds have no teeth to grind their food. The dirt,sand, pebbles and grit they eat sit in their cropand help grind up their food. Adding grit to yourfeeder is helpful, particularly in the winter andspring. Crushed eggshells do the same thing,and in the spring have an added benefit: theyprovide birds with extra calcium for producingeggs of their own.Can birds choke on peanut butter?There is no evidence that birds can choke onpeanut butter. However, birds have no salivaryglands. You can make it easier on them bymixing peanut butter with lard, cornmeal or grit.Your birds will appreciate drinking water too,from a bird bath or trough.Won't suet go bad in the summer? In the winter, raw beef fat from the local butcheris all you need for your suet feeder. Whentemperatures rise, raw fat can melt and getrancid. It's safer to use commercially renderedsuet cakes in the spring and summer months.Rendering (boiling) the fat kills bacteria. What is hummingbird nectar? Do hummers neednectar fortified with vitamins and minerals? You can make your own hummingbird nectar byadding 1/4cup of sugar to a cup of boiling water.Remember, sugar water will ferment when left inthe hot sun, turning nectar deadly. Do not put outa nectar feeder if you are not willing to clean it atleast weekly, preferably twice a week.

Hummers eat insects fortheir protein. There is noevidence that these tinybirds need vitamin andmineral supplements. Thereis also no evidence that

adding red food coloring to nectar will harm thebirds, but it probably is not necessary to attractthem. Just put your feeder near red flowers orbuy a red hummingbird feeder.

How can I avoid bees at my hummingbirdfeeder? Bees will inevitably visit your hummingbirdfeeder, especially in hot weather. Little plasticbee guards may help keep them from gettingnectar but it won't stop them from trying. Don'ttake the chance of contaminating your nectar byputting vegetable oil around the feeding portals.One solution is to add a few small feeders awayfrom where people are likely to be bothered bybees. How close to my window can I put a feeder? Birds will come right to your window. Sometimesit takes a while for them to overcome their initialreluctance, so be patient. Don't worry that afeeder on the window will cause birds to fly intothe window. Birds fly into the window becausethey see the reflection of the woods. Windowfeeders and decals help break up the reflection.Is cracked corn coated with a red dye safe touse? No. The red or pink coating is capstan, afungicide used on seeds meant for planting. Ifyou buy a bag of cracked corn or other seedtreated with capstan, return it to the store. It cankill horses, other mammals and wild birds. I bought a bag of sunflower seeds early in thespring. Over the summer first noticed worms,then moths. What can I do to keep the bugs out?Moths lay their eggs in sunflower seeds. Theeggs lay dormant as long as the seeds arestored in a cool dry place. In the summer, seedsget hot and the eggs hatch. The best way toavoid this problem is to buy seeds in smallerquantities, or store your seeds in a cool, dryplace. It also helps to know where your retailerstores the seed. An air-conditioned storage unitis the better choice. Insects also lay their eggs in burlap bags. Don'tbuy seeds in burlap bags. Don't buy seed inpaper and plastic bags with patched holes. Thatmay be a sign of insect or rodent infestation.

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Homes for BirdsBirds You Can Attract to Nest BoxesMany of the birds that visit feeders and bathsmay stay and nest in nearby trees. Most of them,including cardinals, doves and orioles, don't nestin boxes. You can still help them by consideringtheir food and shelter requirements in yourlandscape plans. More than two dozen North American birds nestin bird houses. The following descriptions willhelp you determine which birds might visit yourneighborhood. BluebirdsIf you put up a bluebird house near an old field,orchard, park, cemetery or golf course, youmight have a chance of attracting a pair ofbluebirds. They prefer nest boxes on a treestump or wooden fence post between three andfive feet high. Bluebirds also nest in abandonedwoodpecker nest holes. The most important measurement is the holediameter. An inch and a half is small enough todeter starlings, which, along with housesparrows, have been known to kill bluebirds, aswell as adults sitting on the nest. Bluebirds haveproblems with other animals too. Discouragecats, snakes, raccoons and chipmunks bymounting the house on a metal pole, or use ametal predator guard on a wood post.American Robins The robin is our largest thrush. They prefer tobuild their nest in the crotch of a tree. If you don'thave an appropriate tree, you can offer a nestingplatform. Pick a spot six feet or higher up on ashaded tree trunk or under the overhang of ashed or porch. Creating a "mud puddle" nearbyoffers further enticement, as robins use mud tohold their nests together.

Chickadees, Nuthatches and Titmice Chickadees, titmice and nuthatches share thesame food, feeders, and habitat. If you put aproperly designed nest box in a wooded yard, atleast one of these species might check it out. Putchickadee houses at eye level. Hang them fromlimbs or secure them to tree trunks. The entrancehole should be 1 1/8 inches to attractchickadees, yet exclude house sparrows. Anchorhouses for nuthatches on tree trunks five to sixfeet off the ground.

Browm Creepers and Prothonotary Warblers Look for brown creepers to nest behind thecurved bark of tree trunks. In heavily woodedyards, slab bark houses appeal to creepers.Prothonotary warblers also prefer slab barkhouses, or bluebird boxes attached to a treetrunk, but theirs must be placed over water(lakes, rivers or swamps) with a good canopy oftrees overhead.

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Wrens Wrens don't seem to be very picky about wherethey nest. Try nest boxes with a 1 inch x 2 inchhorizontal slot (1½ inch x 2 ½ inch for the largerCarolina wrens) instead of a circle. These areeasier for the wrens to use. However, the largerthe opening, the more likely it is house sparrowswill occupy the box.Wrens are known for filling a nest cavity withtwigs, regardless of whether they use the nest toraise their young. Since male house wrens buildseveral nests for the female to choose from,hang several nest boxes at eye level on partlysunlit tree limbs. Wrens are sociable and willaccept nest boxes quite close to your house.

Tree and Violet--green SwallowsTree swallows prefer nest boxes attached todead trees. Space the boxes about seven feetapart for these white-bellied birds with iridescentblue-green backs and wings. The ideal setting forthese insect-eaters is on the edge of a large fieldnear a lake, pond or river. Violet-green swallows nest in forested mountainsof the West; boxes placed on large trees in asemi-open woodland will attract them.Barn Swallows and PhoebesIf you have the right habitat, like an open barn orold shed, barn swallows and phoebes are easy toattract. It's their nesting behavior, not theirplumage or song, that catches your attention.However, these birds tend to nest where youwould rather not have them: on a ledge right overyour front door. To avoid a mess by your door,offer the birds a nesting shelf nearby where you'drather have them.

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Purple MartinsMany people want martins in their yardsbecause, it's been said, these birds eat 2,000mosquitoes a day. While it's true that they eatflying insects, don't expect purple martins toeliminate mosquitoes in your yard completelyMartins prefer dragonflies, which prey onmosquito larvae. If you want to help rid your yardof mosquitoes, put up a bat roosting box. Onebat can eat thousands of mosquitoes a night.

Martins are entertainingcreatures, however, andyou'll enjoy watching theirantics in your backyard.You have the best chanceof attracting martins if youput a house on the edgeof a pond or river,surrounded by a field or

lawn. Martins need a radius of about 40 feet ofunobstructed flying space around their houses. Atelephone wire nearby gives them a place toperch in sociable groups. Martins nest in groups, so you'll need a housewith a minimum of four large rooms-6 or moreinches on all sides, with a 2 1/2 inch entrancehole about 1 1/2 inches above the floor.Ventilation and drainage are critical factors inmartin house design. Porches, railings, porchdividers and supplemental roof perches, like aTV antenna, make any house more appealing. You can also make houses from gourds byfashioning an entrance hole and small holes inthe bottom for drainage. If you use gourds, it'snot necessary to add railings and perches. Adultmartins will perch on the wire used to hang thehouses. Before you select a house, think aboutwhat kind of pole you're going to put it on.Martins occupy a house ten to twenty feet off theground. Some poles are less cumbersome thanothers.

Selecting a HouseIn the bird house business, there's no such thingas "one size fits all." Decide which bird you wantto attract, then get a house for that particularbird. Look through any book or catalog and you'llsee bird houses of all sizes and shapes, withperches and without, made of materials youmight not have thought of. recycled paper,gourds, plastic, rubber, pottery, metal andconcrete. The proper combination of qualitymaterials and design makes a good birdhouse.

MaterialsWood is just about the best building material forany birdhouse. It's durable, has good insulatingqualities and breathes. Three-quarter-inch thickbald cypress and red cedar are recommended.Pine and exterior grade plywood will do, but theyare not as durable.It makes no difference whether the wood is slab,rough-cut or finished, as long as the inside hasnot been treated with stains or preservatives.Fumes from the chemicals could harm the birds.

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There's no need to paint cypress and cedar, butpine and plywood houses will last longer with acoat of water-based exterior latex paint. White isthe color for purple martin houses. Tan, gray ordull green works best for the other cavity nestingspecies. The dull, light colors reflect heat andare less conspicuous to predators. Don't paintthe inside of the box or the entrance hole.

Regardless of which wood youselect, gluing all the jointsbefore you nail them will extendthe life of your bird house.Galvanized or brass shanknails, hinges and screws resistrusting and hold boxes togethermore tightly as they age.

Resist the temptation to put a metal roof on yourbird house. Reflective metal makes sense formartin houses up on a sixteen-foot pole, butwhen it's tacked onto the roof of a woodchickadee house, the shiny metal is more likelyto attract predators. Natural gourds make very attractive bird houses.They breathe, and because they sway in thewind they are less likely to be taken over byhouse sparrows and starlings. Grow your own gourds and you'll have dozens tochoose from in the years ahead. If you don'thave the space to grow them, a coat ofpolyurethane or exterior latex (on the outsideonly) will add years to the one you have. Properly designed pottery, aluminum (for purplemartins only), concrete and plastic houses aredurable, but don't drop them.

Gourd houses are the easiest to set up. Stringthem from a wire between two poles, from asectional aluminum pole, or on pulleys mountedto a crossbar high up on a pole. You can mount lightweight aluminum houses formartins on telescoping poles, providing easyaccess for maintenance and inspection. Becauseof their weight (more than 30 pounds), woodhouses should not be mounted on telescopingpoles. You'll have to use a sturdy metal or awood pole attached to a pivot post. The problemwith this lowering technique is that you can't tiltthe house without damaging the nests inside. Ifyou put your house on a shorter, fixed pole, tento twelve feet high, you can use a ladder toinspect and maintain it. Flycatchers The great crested flycatcher and its westerncousin, the ash-throated flycatcher, are commonin wooded suburbs and rural areas withwoodlots. Their natural nesting sites areabandoned woodpecker holes. Flycatchers maynest in a bird house if it is placed about ten feetup in a tree in an orchard or at the edge of a fieldor stream. This is a longshot, but well worth theeffort if you are successful. Woodpeckers You can attract all types of woodpeckers with asuet feeder, but only the flicker is likely to use abird house. They prefer a box with roughenedinterior and a floor covered with a two-inch layerof wood chips or coarse sawdust. Flickers areespecially attracted to nest boxes filled withsawdust, which they "excavate" to suitthemselves. For best results, place the box highup on a tree trunk, exposed to direct sunlight.

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Try building a birdhouse for the other species ofwoodpeckers following the guidelines in thisbooklet. You might be surprised!Owls Most owls seldom build their own nests. Greathorned and long-eared owls prefer abandonedcrow and hawk nests. Other owls (barred, barn,saw-whet, boreal and screech) nest in treecavities and bird houses.Barn owls are best known for selecting nestingsites near farms. Where trees are sparse, thesebirds will nest in church steeples, silos andbarns. If you live near a farm or a golf course, tryfastening a nest box for owls about 15 feet upon a tree trunk.Screech owls prefer abandoned woodpeckerholes at the edge of a field or neglected orchard.They will readily take to boxes lined with an inchor two of wood shavings. If you clean the boxout in late spring after the young owls havefledged, you may attract a second tenant-akestrel. Trees isolated from larger tracts ofwoods have less chance of squirrels taking overthe box.

Be sure to provide ventilation, drainage, and easyaccess for maintenance and monitoring.Concrete (or a mix of concrete and sawdust)offers protection other houses cannot: squirrelscan't chew their way in.Design How elaborate you make your bird housedepends on your own tastes. In addition to whereyou place the box, the most importantconsiderations are: box height, depth, floordimensions, diameter of entrance hole and heightof the hole above the box floor.Refer to the following chart before building yournest box, keeping in mind that birds make theirown choices, without regard for charts. So don'tbe surprised if you find tenants you neverexpected in a house you intended for someoneelse.

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Nest Box Dimensions

Species

Box floor(inches)

Box height(inches)

Entrance height(inches)

Entrance(inches)

Placement diameter

height(feet)

American Robin* 7 x 8 8 -- -- Eastern & WesternBluebirds

5 x 5 8 - 12 6 - 10 1 ½ 4 - 6

Mountain Bluebirds 5 x 5 8 - 12 6 - 10 1 ½ 4 - 6Chickadee 4 x 4 8 - 10 6 - 8 1 1/8 4 - 15Titmouse 4 x 4 10 - 12 6 - 10 1 ¼ 5 - 15Ash-throated Flycatcher 6 x 6 8 - 12 6 - 10 1 ½ 5 - 15Great CrestedFlycatcher 6 x 6 8 - 12 6 - 10 1 ¾ 5 - 15Phoebe* 6 x 6 6 -- -- 8 - 12Brown-headed/Pygmy/Red-breasted Nuthatch

4 x 4 8 - 10 6 - 8 1 ¼ 5 - 15

White-breasted Nuthatch 4 x 4 8 - 10 6 - 8 1 3/8 5 - 15Prothonotary Warbler 5 x 5 6 4 - 5 1 1/8 4 - 8Barn Swallow* 6 x 6 6 -- -- 8 - 12Purple Martin 6 x 6 6 1 - 2 2 ¼ 6 - 20Tree and Violet-greenSwallows

5 x 5 6 - 8 4 - 6 1 ½ 5 - 15

*Use nesting shelf, platform with three sidesand an open front

Nest Box Dimensions

Species

Box floor(inches)

Box height(inches)

Entrance height(inches)

Entrance(inches)

Placement diameter

height(feet)

Downy Woodpecker 4 x 4 8 - 10 6 - 8 1 ¼ 5 - 15Hairy Woodpecker 6 x 6 12 - 15 9 - 12 1 ½ 8 - 20Lewis's Woodpecker 7 x 7 16 - 18 14 - 16 2 ½ 12 - 20Northern Flicker 7 x 7 16 - 18 14 - 16 2 ½ 6 - 20Pileated Woodpecker 8 x 8 16 - 24 12 - 20 3 x 4 15 - 25

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Red-HeadedWoodpecker

6 x 6 12 - 15 9 - 12 2 10 - 20

Yellow-belliedSapsucker

5 x 5 12 - 15 9 - 12 1 ½ 10 - 20

Bewick's/House Wrens 4 x 4 6 - 8 4 - 6 1 ¼ 5 - 10Carolina Wrens 4 x 4 6 - 8 4 - 6 1 ½ 5 - 10Barn Owl 10 x 18 15 - 18 4 6 12 - 18Screech-Owl andKestrel

8 x 8 12 - 15 9 - 12 3 4 - 8

Osprey 48 x 48(platform)

10 - 30

Red-tailed Hawk/GreatHorned Owl

24 x 24platform

Wood Duck 10 x 18 10 - 24 12 - 16 4 10 - 20

*Use nesting shelf, platform with threesides and an open front

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Now that you have the correct dimensions foryour bird house, take a look at how to make itsafe: ventilation, drainage, susceptibly topredators, and ease of maintenance. VentilationYou should provide air vents in bird boxes.There are two ways to provide ventilation: leavegaps between the roof and sides of the box, ordrill 1/4 inch holes just below the roof.DrainageWater becomes a problem when it sits in thebottom of a bird house. A roof with sufficientslope and overhang offers some protection.Drilling the entrance hole on an upward slantmay also help keep the water out. Regardless ofdesign, driving rain will get in through theentrance hole. You can assure proper drainageby cutting away the corners of the box floor anddrilling 1/4 inch holes. Nest boxes will last longerif the floors are recessed about 1/4 inch.Entrance HoleLook for the entrance hole on the front panelnear the top. A rough surface both inside andout makes it easier for the adults to get into thebox and, when it's time, for the nestlings to climbout. If your box is made of finished wood, add acouple of grooves outside below the hole. Openthe front panel and add grooves, cleats or wiremesh to the inside. Never put up a bird housewith a perch below the entrance hole. Perchesoffer starlings, house sparrows and otherpredators a convenient place to wait for lunch.Don't be tempted by duplexes or houses thathave more than one entrance hole. Except forpurple martins, cavity-nesting birds prefer not toshare a house. While these condos look great inyour yard, starlings and house sparrows areinclined to use them.

Accessibility Bird houses should be easily accessible so youcan see how your birds are doing and clean outthe house. Monitor your bird houses every weekand evict unwanted creatures such as housesparrows or starlings. Be careful when you inspect your bird boxes-youmay find something other than a bird inside.Don't be surprised to see squirrels, mice, snakesor insects. Look for fleas, flies, mites, larvae andlice in the bottom of the box. If you find insectsand parasites, your first reaction may be to grabthe nearest can of insect spray. If you do, useonly insecticides known to be safe around birds:1 percent rotenone powder or pyrethrin spray. Ifwasps are a problem, coat the inside top of thebox with bar soap.

Here's how to check your nest boxes forunwanted visitors: Watch the nest for 20-30 minutes. If you don'tsee or hear any birds near the box, go over andtap on the box. If you hear bird sounds, open thetop and take a quick peek inside. If everything isall right, close the box. If you see problems(parasites or predators), remove them and closethe box.

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A bird house with easy access makes the jobsimple. Most bird houses can be opened fromthe top, the side, the front or the bottom. Boxesthat open from the top and the front provide theeasiest access. Opening the box from the top isless likely to disturb nesting birds. It's impossibleto open a box from the bottom without the nestfalling out. While side- and front-opening boxesare convenient for cleaning and monitoring, theyhave one drawback: the nestlings may jump out.If this happens, don't panic. Pick them up andput them back in the nest. Don't worry that theadults will reject the nestlings if you handle them.That's a myth; most birds have a terrible senseof smell.

If you clean out your nest boxesafter each brood has fledged,several pairs may use the nestthroughout the summer. Somecavity-nesting birds will not nestagain in a box full of old nestingmaterial. In the fall, after you've cleaned

out your nest box for the last time, you can put itin storage or leave it out. Gourds and pottery lastlonger if you take them in for the winter. You canleave your purple martin houses up, but plug theentrance holes to discourage starlings andhouse sparrows. Leaving your wood and concrete houses outprovides shelter for birds, flying squirrels andother animals during winter. Each spring,thoroughly clean all houses left out for thewinter.

Limiting Predator Access Proper box depth, and roof and entrance holedesign will help reduce access by predators,such as raccoons, cats, opossums, and squirrels.Sometimes all it takes is an angled roof with athree-inch overhang to discourage smallmammals. The entrance hole is the only thing between apredator and a bird house full of nestlings. Byitself, the 3/4-inch wall is not wide enough tokeep out the arm of a raccoon or house cat. Adda predator guard (a 3/4-inch thick rectangularwood block with an entrance hole cut in it) tothicken the wall and you'll discourage sparrows,starlings, and cats. Bird House Placement Where you put your bird house is as important asits design and construction. Cavity-nesting birdsare very particular about where they live. If youdon't have the right habitat, the birds are notlikely to find the house. You can modify your landto attract the birds you want to see by putting outa bird bath, planting fruit-bearing shrubs,including more trees or installing a pond with awaterfall.

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Once you've matched up the light bird housewith the appropriate habitat, you have to knowwhere to put the nest box. Should you hang itfrom a tree limb, nail it to a fence or mount it ona pole or a tree trunk?Most species require a fairly narrow range ofheights for nest boxes. After checking the tablein this brochure, pick a height that's convenientfor you. After all, you will want to watch whatgoes on and keep the box clean. If you want towatch chickadees from your second floorwindow or deck, fifteen feet is reasonable but it'sa lot easier to clean out a box at eye level.Here are some tips on where to put bird houses: don't put bird houses near bird feeders. houses mounted on metal poles are lessvulnerable to predators than houses nailed totree trunks or hung from tree limbs. use no more than four small nest boxes or onelarge box per acre for any one species.put about 100 yards between bluebird boxes and75 yards between swallow boxes. (If you haveboth species, pair the houses with one bluebirdbox 25 feet from a swallow box.) don't put more than one box in a tree unless thetree is extremely large or the boxes are fordifferent species.if you have very hot summers, face the entranceholes of your boxes north or east to avoidoverheating the box.

Protection from PredatorsCatsNesting birds are extremelyvulnerable to cats, as arefledglings and birds roostingfor the night. Bell collars oncats offer birds littleprotection. Nailing a sheetmetal guard or cone to a tree

trunk is unsightly, but may deter less agilefelines. Houses mounted on metal poles are themost difficult for predators to reach, especially ifyou smear the poles with a petroleum jelly andhot pepper mixture. The best deterrent is forowners to keep their cats inside wheneverpossible. DogsPet dogs are a hazard to nestlings in the springand summer. Don't let your dog run loose duringnesting time. Squirrels Red squirrels, and sometimes gray squirrels, canbecome a serious menace to bird houses andthe birds themselves. If you find your riest holeenlarged, chances are a red squirrel is the culprit.Once inside the box, squirrels make a meal ofthe eggs and young. Adding a predator guardmade of sheet metal to the entrance hole isusually enough to keep squirrels out. Raccoons and Opossums Raccoons and opossums will stick their armsinside nest boxes and try to pull out the adult,young, and eggs. Adding a '/.,-inch thick predatorguard to the bird house or an inverted cone to itspole support is a simple solution. SnakesSnakes play an important part in the balance ofnature. If you find one in your bird house, don'tkill it. Snake-proof your house by putting it on ametal pole lathered with petroleum jelly or redcayenne pepper.

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House Sparrows and StarlingsIf you don't discourage them, these twonuisance species introduced from Europe willharass or kill cavity-nesting birds. Since housesparrows and starlings are not protected by law,you may destroy their nests. But remember,other birds are protected by law. House WrensHouse wrens sometimes interfere with thenesting success of other birds by puncturingtheir eggs. But, unlike the house sparrow andstarling, these birds are native to North Americaand are protected by law. Don't be tempted tointervene when wrens appear at your backyardbirdhouse. InsectsMany insects lay their eggs and pupate in birdhouses. Inspect your bird houses for signs ofgypsy moths, blow flies, wasps, ants, gnats andbees. Keep bees and wasps from attaching theirnests by coating the inside of the roof with barsoap. In areas where gypsy moths abound,avoid placing boxes in oak trees, which thegypsy moths favor. Pyrethrin and rotenone insecticides arerecommended for killing fly larvae, bird lice andmites after birds have finished nesting for theseason.

Attracting BirdsAs people learn to enjoy the beauty of birdsaround their home, they may wish to improve the"habitat" in their yard so that more birds will visittheir property. You can attract birds by placingbird feeders, nest boxes and bird baths in youryard, and by planting a variety of trees, shrubs,and flowers. These can provide good nestingsites, winter shelter, places to hide frompredators and natural food supplies that areavailable year-round.

Landscaping for Birds The most surefire way to attract birds to yourbackyard is to make certain the appropriatehabitat is available to them. You may be luckyand already have a good supply of food, shelter,and water available for our feathered friends. Inthat case, you have to do little more than standback and watch.

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However, for most backyards, bird habitat mustbe created. It's called "landscaping for birds" andit can be as simple or extravagant as you wishWhatever the approach, anyone who has evertried this type of landscaping comes away with areal love for it after their first sparklinghummingbirds hover at the coral bells, or theperky catbird comes down for a drink of waterfrom the birdbath, or the sleek waxwings gatheren masse to sample bittersweet berries. Benefits of Landscaping for Birds You can derive many benefits from landscapingto attract birds to your yard: Increased Wildlife PopulationsYou can probably double the number of birdspecies using your property with a goodlandscaping plan. Energy ConservationBy carefully arranging your conifer and hardwoodtrees, you can lower winter heating and summercooling bills for your house.Soil Conservation Certain landscape plants can prevent soilerosion. Natural BeautyA good landscaping plan contributes to abeautiful, natural setting around your home thatis pleasing to people as well as birds.

Wildlife Photography Wildlife photography is a wonderful hobby forpeople of all ages.

Birdwatching Try keeping a list of all the birds you see in youryard or from your yard. Some people havecounted nearly 20 species of birds in their yard! Natural Insect Control Birds such as tree swallows, house wrens, brownthrashers and orioles eat a variety of insects. Food Production Some plants that attract wildlife are alsoappealing to humans. People an wildlife canshare cherries, chokecherries, strawberries, andcrabapples. Property Value A good landscaping plan can greatly increase thevalue of your property by adding natural beautyand an abundance of wildlife. Habitat for Kids Some of the best wildlife habitats are the besthabitats for young people to discover thewonders of nature. A backyard bird habitat canstimulate young people to develop a lifelonginterest in wildlife and conservation. Basics of Landscaping for Birds Landscaping for birds involves nine basicprinciples: Food Every bird species has its own unique foodrequirements that may change as the seasonschange. Learn the food habits of the birds youwish to attract. Then plant the appropriate trees,shrubs, and flowers to provide the fruits, berries,seeds, acorns, and nectar. Water You may be able to double the number of birdspecies in your yard by providing a source ofwater. A frog pond, water garden, or bird bath willget lots of bird use, especially if the water isdripping, splashing or moving.

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Shelter Birds need places where they can hide frompredators and escape from severe weather. `I)rees (including dead ones), shrubs, tall grassand bird houses provide excellent shelter. DiversityThe best landscaping plan is one that includes avariety of native plants. This helps attract themost bird species.Four Seasons Give birds food and shelter throughout the yearby planting a variety of trees, shrubs and flowersthat provide year-round benefits. Arrangement Properly arrange the different habitatcomponents in your yard. Consider the effects ofprevailing winds (and snow drifting) so your yardwill be protected from harsh winter weather. Protection Birds should be protected from unnecessarymortality. When choosing the placement of birdfeeders and nest boxes, consider theiraccessibility to predators. Picture windows canalso be dangerous for birds, who fly directly atwindows when they see the reflection of treesand shrubs. A network of parallel, vertical stringsspaced 4 inches apart can be placed on theoutside of windows to prevent this problem. Becautious about the kinds of herbicides andpesticides used in your yard. Apply them onlywhen necessary and strictly according to labelinstructions. In fact, try gardening and lawn carewithout using pesticides. Details can be found ingardening books at the library. Hardiness Zones When considering plants not native to your area,consult a plant hardiness zone map, found inmost garden catalogues. Make sure the plantsyou want are rated for the winter hardiness zoneclassification of your area.

Soils and Topography Consult your local garden center, university orcounty extension office to have your soil tested.Plant species are often adapted to certain typesof soils. If you know what type of soil you have,you can identify the types of plants that will growbest in your yard. Plants for Wild Birds Seven types of plants are important as birdhabitat: Conifers Conifers are evergreen trees and shrubs thatinclude pines, spruces, firs, arborvitae, junipers,cedars, and yews. These plants are important asescape cover, winter shelter and summer nestingsites. Some also provide sap, fruits and seeds. Grasses and Legumes Grasses and legumes can provide cover forground nesting birds-but only if the area is notmowed during the nesting season. Somegrasses and legumes provide seeds as well.Native prairie grasses are becoming increasinglypopular for landscaping purposes. Nectar--producing PlantsNectar-producing plants are very popular forattracting hummingbirds and orioles. Flowerswith tubular red corollas are especially attractiveto hummingbirds. Other trees, shrubs, vines andflowers also can provide nectar forhummingbirds. Summer-fruiting Plants This category includes plants that produce fruitsor berries from May through August. In thesummer these plants can attract brownthrashers, catbirds, robins, thrushes, waxwings,woodpeckers, orioles, cardinals, towhees andgrosbeaks. Examples of summer-fruiting plantsare various species of cherry, chokecherry,honeysuckle, raspberry, serviceberry, blackberry,blueberry, grape, mulberry, plum and elderberry

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Fall-fruiting PlantsThis landscape component includes shrubs andvines whose fruits ripen in the fall. These foodsare important both for migratory birds which buildup fat reserves before migration and as a foodsource for nonmigratory species that need toenter the winter season in good physicalcondition. Fall-fruiting plants include dogwoods,mountain ash, winter-berries, cottoneasters andbuffalo-berries. Winter-fruiting Plants Winter-fruiting plants are those whose fruitsremain attached to the plants long after they firstbecome ripe in the fall. Many are not palatableuntil they have frozen and thawed many times.Examples are glossy black chokecherry,Siberian and "red splendor" crabapple,snowberry, bittersweet, sumacs, Americanhighbush cranberry, eastern and Europeanwahoo, Virginia creeper, and Chinaberry Nut and Acorn Plants These include oaks, hickories, buckeyes,chestnuts, butternuts, walnuts and hazels. Avariety of birds, such as jays, woodpeckers andtitmice, eat the meats of broken nuts and acornsThese plants also contribute to good nestinghabitat.

How to Get Started Think of this project as landscaping for birds.Your goal will be to plant an assortment of trees,shrubs and flowers that will attract birds. If youplan carefully it can be inexpensive and fun forthe whole family. The best way to get started isto follow these guidelines: Set Your -Priorities Decide what types of birds you wish to attract,then build your plan around the needs of thosespecies. Talk to friends and neighbors to find outwhat kinds of birds frequent your area. Attend alocal bird club meeting and talk to localbirdwatchers about how they have attracted birdsto their yards. Use Native Plants When Possible Check with the botany department of a nearbycollege or university or with your state's naturalheritage program for lists of trees, shrubs, andwildflowers native to your area. Use this list as astarting point for your landscape plan. Theseplants are naturally adapted to the climate ofyour area and are a good long-term investment.Many native plants are both beautiful forlandscaping purposes and excellent for birds. Ifyou include normative plant species in your plan,be sure they are not considered "invasive pests"by plant experts. Check out the bird books inyour local library Draw a Map of Your Property Draw a map of your property to scale usinggraph paper. Identify buildings, sidewalks, powerlines, buried cables, 'fences, septic tank fields,trees, shrubs and patios. Consider how your planrelates to your neighbor's property-will the treeyou plant shade out the neighbor's vegetablegarden? Identify and map sunny or shady sites,low or wet sites, sandy sites, and native plantsthat will be left in place.

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Get Your Soil TestedGet your soil tested by your local garden center,county extension agent or soil conservationservice. Find out what kinds of soil you have andthen find out if your soils have nutrient or organicdeficiencies that fertilization or addition ofcompost can correct. The soils you have will helpdetermine the plants which can be included inyour landscaping plan. Review the Seven Plant Habitat Components Review the seven plant components describedpreviously. Which components are alreadypresent? Which ones are missing? Rememberthat you are trying to provide food and coverthrough all four seasons. Develop a list of plantsthat you think will provide the missing habitatcomponents. Talk to Resource Experts Review this plant list with landscaping resourceexperts who can match your ideas with your soiltypes, soil drainage and the plants availablethrough state or private- nurseries. People at thenearby arboretum can help with your selections.At an arboretum you can also see what manyplants look like. Talk with local bird clubs, themembers of which probably are knowledgeableabout landscaping for birds.

Develop Your Planting Plan Sketch on your map the plants you wish to add.Draw trees to a scale that represents three-fourths of their mature width, and shrubs at theirfull mature width. This will help you calculate howmany trees and shrubs you need. There is atendency to include so many trees thateventually your yard will be mostly shaded. Besure to leave open sunny sites where flowersand shrubs can thrive. Decide how much moneyyou can spend and the time span of your project.Don't try to do too much at once. You might try afive-year development plan. Implement Your Plan Finally, go to it! Begin your plantings and includeyour entire family so the can all feel they arehelping wildlife. Document your plantings onpaper and by photographs. Try taking pictures ofyour yard from the same spots every year todocument the growth of your plants. Maintain Your Plan Keep your new trees, shrubs and flowersadequately watered, and keep your plantingareas weed-free by use of landscaping film andwood chips or shredded bark mulch. This avoidsthe use of herbicides for weed control. Ifproblems develop with your plants, consult alocal nursery, garden center or county extensionagent. And Finally ... Make sure to take the time to enjoy the wildlifethat will eventually respond to your landscapingefforts.

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