U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

For the Birds

Among the fondest andmost memorablemoments of childhoodare the discoveries ofsongbirds nesting inthe backyard. Thedistinctive, mud-linednests of robins andtheir beautiful blueeggs captivate people ofall ages. Likewise, thenesting activities ofhouse wrens, cardinals,chickadees and othercommon birds canstimulate a lifelonginterest in nature.

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IntroductionAs you learn to enjoy the beauty ofbirdlife around their home, you maywish to improve the “habitat” in youryard so that more birds will visityour property. You can attract birdsby placing bird feeders, nest boxes,and bird baths in your yard, and byplanting a variety of trees, shrubs,and flowers. These can provide goodnesting sites, winter shelter, places to hide from predators and naturalfood supplies that are available year-round.

Backyard bird feeding is aconvenient way to enjoy wildlife.More than 65 million Americans ofall ages watch, feed and landscapefor birds.

It doesn’t matter where you live—inan apartment, townhouse or singlefamily dwelling, in the city, suburbsor country. Just stand still and you’llhear them: wild birds. It is hard toimagine life without them.

Bird watching is one of the fastestgrowing forms of outdoor recreationin the country. Each year millions ofpeople discover for the first time thejoys of birdwatching. It’s easy tounderstand why. Birds are fun towatch.

And you can watch them just abouteverywhere. The most convenient

place to start is right in your ownbackyard. All it takes to gettheir attention is food or water,a place to build a nest and

appropriatevegetation.

photo:Hollingsworth/USFWS

Backyard Bird FeedingWhen you want to attract a particularbird species and keep it coming backto your backyard, what you do will be determined by where you live, and the time of year. For example, on any winter day, you are likely to see a cardinal at a sunflower feeder in Virginia, a goldfinch at a thistlefeeder in Illinois and hummingbirdsat a nectar feeder in southernCalifornia.

A bird field guide has pictures ofdifferent birds and will help you findthe names for the birds you’re likelyto see and the time of year you’remost likely to see them. So, firstdetermine what birds are likely tooccur in your area.

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Getting Started

Feeder SelectionWhen the ground is covered withsnow and ice, it’s hard to resist just tossing seed out the door. But it’s healthier for the birds to get their handouts at a feedingstation, rather than off the ground.Regardless of the season, food thatsits on the ground for even a shorttime is exposed to contamination by dampness, mold, bacteria, animal droppings, lawn fertilizers and pesticides.

You can start simply with a piece ofscrap wood elevated a few inchesabove the ground. Add a few holes fordrainage and you’ve built a platformfeeder. It won’t be long before thebirds find it.

There are several factors to considerafter you’ve decided to feed birds inyour backyard.

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Where do you want to watch yourbirds? From a kitchen window. . . asliding glass door opening onto a deck. . . a second-story window?

Pick a location that is easy to get to.When the weather is bad and birdsare most vulnerable, you may bereluctant to fill a feeder that is not in a convenient spot near a door or anaccessible window. Also, pick a sitewhere discarded seed shells and birddroppings won’t be a cleanup problem.

Put your feeder where the squirrelscan’t reach. Squirrels become aproblem when they take over a birdfeeder, scaring the birds away andtossing seed all over. Squirrels havebeen known to chew right throughplastic and wooden feeders.

If you’ve seen squirrels in yourneighborhood, it is safe to assumethey will visit your feeder. Think longand hard before you hang anythingfrom a tree limb. Squirrels areincredibly agile, and any feederhanging from a tree is likely tobecome a squirrel feeder.

In the long run, a squirrel-prooffeeder or any feeder on a pole with abaffle is the least aggravating solution.The most effective squirrel-prooffeeder is the pole-mounted metal“house” type.

Placement

Photo: Kevin Tennyson, USDOI

If you must hang a feeder, select atube protected with metal mesh.Most plastic “squirrel-proof ” feeders,despite manufacturers’ claims, mayeventually succumb to the squirrels.Any wood or plastic feeder can beeffective when mounted on a polewith a plastic or metal baffle, if thepole is at least 10 feet or more from a tree limb or trunk (squirrels canjump great distances).

Bird feeders are made from a varietyof materials. You can buy disposableplastic bag feeders; feeders made of cloth, nylon, vinyl and metalnetting; clear, lexan, colored and PVC plastic tubes; ceramic and terra cotta; redwood, western cedar, birch, pine and plywood; sheet metaland aluminized steel; glass tubes and bottles.

How long a feeder lasts depends onhow well you maintain it, the effectsof weather, and whether squirrels can get to it. Water can get into anyfeeder regardless of how carefullyyou protect it. Cloth, vinyl, nylon and metal netting feeders areinexpensive, but they do not protectyour seed from spoiling in damp or wet weather. Improve them byadding a plastic dome.

Most wood, plastic, ceramic and solid metal feeders keep seed dry, but water can get into the feedingportals. Look for feeders withdrainage holes in the bottoms of boththe feeder hopper and the seed tray.

Even bowl-type feeders and trayswith drainage holes will clog withseed and bird droppings that can mix with rainwater and be unhealthyfor any animal. Look for shallowplate-like seed trays to catch droppedseeds while allowing spent seed shells to blow away.

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Durability

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When you feed birds, expect birddroppings and a leftover food mess.While you do not have to wash thefeeder daily, you should clean it atleast every few weeks. Diseases likesalmonella can grow in moldy, wetseed and bird droppings in yourfeeder tray and on the ground below.Move your feeder a few feet eachseason to give the ground underneathtime to assimilate the seed debris andbird droppings.

The maintenance required to keepyour feeder clean varies according tothe type of feeder. A thistle feeder forgoldfinches should be cleaned aboutonce a month depending on how often it rains. Feeding hummingbirdsrequires cleaning at the very leastweekly, but preferably two or threetimes a week. Sunflower and suetfeeders need to be cleaned only oncea month.

Plastic, ceramic and glass feeders areeasy to clean. Wash them in a bucketof hot, soapy water fortified with acapful or two of chlorine bleach. Use the same regimen with woodfeeders, but substitute anotherdisinfectant for the bleach so yourwood won’t fade.

The ideal feeder capacity varies withyour situation, and the types of birdsyou want to attract. If you feedhummingbirds, big feeders are notalways better. One hummingbird will drink about twice its body weight (less than an ounce) a day.Early in the season, hummers areterritorial and won’t share a feeder. Asixteen-ounce feeder can be wasteful,or even lethal, because artificialnectar (sugar water) can ferment inthe hot summer sun. A two-ouncefeeder is more than enough for onehummer. Increase the size of yourfeeder depending on your locationand how many hummers you see inyour yard.

Food Capacity

If you opt for a large-volume seedfeeder, protect it from the weatherand keep it clean. If after months ofuse, the birds suddenly abandon yourfeeder full of seed, it’s time for acleaning.

How Many BirdsIf too many birds at your feederbecome a problem, you can controltheir numbers by putting out smalleramounts of seed, or by usingspecialty seeds or restrictive feedersthat will attract only certain species.If you fill your feeder only when it’sempty, the birds will look for foodelsewhere.

You can encourage small birds anddiscourage large birds with feedersthat restrict access. Wood feederswith vertical bars and feederscovered with wire mesh frustratelarger birds.

The most non-selective feeders arethe tray, platform or house feedersbecause they allow easy access by all birds.

Tube feeders without trays alsorestrict access to only small birds.Remove the perches, and you’vefurther restricted the feeder to onlythose birds that can easily cling—finches, chickadees, titmice andwoodpeckers.

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If starlings are a problem at yoursuet feeder, discourage them by usinga suet feeder with access only fromthe bottom. Starlings are reluctant to perch upside down. Chickadeesand woodpeckers don’t find that aproblem.

You can virtually eliminate visits bybirds you would rather not see byoffering seeds they won’t eat. If youuse more than one type of seed, putthem in separate feeders. This willreduce wasted seeds, as birds willtoss unwanted seeds out of a feederto get to their favorites.

Watch a feeder filled with a seed mixand you’ll see the birds methodicallydrop or kick out most of the seeds toget to their favorite—sunflower.

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Many birds prefer sunflower. Someprefer millet. A few prefer peanuts.Sparrows, blackbirds, doves andjuncos will eat the other grains usedin pre-made mixes: corn, milo, redmillet, oats, wheat and canary seed.Birds will also kick out artificial“berry” pellets, processed seedflavored and colored to look like real fruit.

Black oil sunflower is the hands-downfavorite of all the birds that visit tube and house feeders. Birds whovisit platform feeders (doves andsparrows) favor white proso millet.Ducks, geese and quail will eat corn.Many cereal grains (corn, milo, oats, canary, wheat, rape, flax andbuckwheat) in mixed bird seeds areNOT favorites of birds that visit tube feeders.

The most effective way to attract thelargest variety of birds to your yardis to put out separate feeders 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

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Suet Feeder

Thistle Feeder

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Feeding Tray

Nut Feeder

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Birds Attracted by Various Feedersand Foods

Tube Feeder withBlack OilSunflower

. . . Adding a Tray to the TubeFeeder Will AlsoAttract

Tray or PlatformFeeder—withMillet

Tray or PlatformFeeder—withCorn

Platform Feederor Tube Feederand Tray—withPeanuts

Niger ThistleFeeder with Tray

Nectar Feeder

goldfincheschickadeeswoodpeckersnuthatches

cardinalsjayscrossbillspurple fincheshouse finches

doveshouse sparrowsblackbirdsjuncoscowbirdstowhees

starlingshouse sparrowsgracklesjaysjuncosbobwhite quail

cardinalsgracklestitmicestarlingsjays

goldfincheshouse finchespurple finchesredpollspine siskinsdoves

hummingbirdsoriolescardinalstanagers

titmiceredpollspine siskins

woodpeckersfinchesthrushes

white-throated sparrowswhite-crowned sparrows

white-throated sparrowstree sparrowswhite-crowned sparrowschipping sparrows

dovesring-necked pheasantswhite-throated sparrows

chickadeessong sparrowsdark-eyed juncoswhite-throated sparrows

oriolestanagersmockingbirdsbluebirdsthrasherscardinalswoodpeckers

woodpeckerswrenschickadeesnuthatcheskinglets

woodpeckersgoldfinchesjuncoscardinalsthrushes

woodpeckerschickadeestitmice

Uninvited Guests at the BirdfeederOnce you get your bird feedingstation up and running, you may runinto problems with two kinds ofuninvited guests—those interested inthe seeds (squirrels and chipmunks,rats and mice, and starlings andhouse sparrows), and thoseinterested in eating a bird for dinner(cats and hawks).

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Fruit

Hanging SuetFeeder

Peanut ButterSuet

Hanging PeanutFeeder

jaysstarlingsthrushescedar waxwingsyellow-breastedchats

thrasherscreeperscardinalsstarlings

jayskingletsbluebirdswrensstarlings

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When a squirrel is at the feeder,you’re not likely to see birds.Squirrels will scare off the birdswhile they eat the seed andsometimes they will eat the feedertoo. The simplest solution is asquirrel-proof feeder or pole.

Starlings and house sparrows are notnative to North America and areaggressive towards other species.Choose your feeder and seed toexclude these species if possible.

Chipmunks, rats and mice can alsobecome a problem where there isseed spillage under the feeder. Don’t use mixed bird seed, and if you don’t have a squirrel problem,add a feeder tray.

Feral cats and your neighbor’s tabbyare a serious threat to many birds.Keep feeders away from brushpilesand shrubbery, as this offers cats thenecessary cover to surprise birds.

If there are no cats in yourneighborhood and you find a pile offeathers near your feeder, look for afull-bellied hawk perching on a treenearby. Don’t put out poisons or tryto trap hawks though, as this isagainst state and federal law.

Questions about Feeding Wild BirdsUsually, whenever the weather issevere, birds will appreciate a reliable supplemental food source. In northern areas, start before theonset of cold weather so birds havetime to find the feeder.

Although you can feed birds year-round, especially with fruit andnectar, you can stop feeding seedsonce a reliable supply of insects isavailable in the spring.

There is no evidence that feedinghummers after Labor Day will delaymigration. Still, feeders in areas withsub-freezing winter weather shouldbe removed shortly after that holiday.Tempting hummers to remain beyondnormal departure dates is ill-advised.

It may take more time for birds tofind window feeders than hanging orpole-mounted feeders. You may wantto wrap aluminum foil around the topof the feeder hanger. Sometimes all ittakes is the reflection of light on thefoil to catch their attention.

When birds desert your feeder, itmay be simply that a lot of naturalfood is available nearby. Orsomething may be wrong, such asspoiled seeds or a contaminatedfeeder. Throw the seeds away andwash the feeder. Look at where yourfeeder is placed. Be sure it’s notvulnerable to predators. At the sametime, make sure it is not in an openarea, away from the cover in whichbirds usually travel.

Birds don’t have sweat glands in theirfeet, so they won’t freeze onto metalfeeders. There’s no need to cover any metal feeders parts with plasticor wood to protect birds’ feet,tongues or eyes.

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When is the besttime to start?

When’s the besttime to stop?

Is it best to stop feedinghummingbirdsafter Labor Day?

How long does ittake for birds tofind a feeder?

My feeder is fullof seeds. I haven’tseen a bird inmonths. Am Idoing somethingwrong?

Will birds’ feetstick to metalfeeders andperches in thewet winterweather?

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Birds have no teeth to grind theirfood. The dirt, sand, pebbles and grit they eat sit in their crop and help grind up their food. Adding grit to your feeder is helpful,particularly in the winter and spring.Crushed eggshells do the same thing,and in the spring have an addedbenefit: they provide birds with extra calcium for producing eggs oftheir own.

There is no evidence that birds canchoke on peanut butter. However,birds have no salivary glands. Youcan make it easier on them by mixingpeanut butter with lard, cornmeal orgrit. Your birds will appreciatedrinking water too, from a bird bathor trough.

In the winter, raw beef fat from thelocal butcher is all you need for yoursuet feeder. When temperatures rise,raw fat can melt and get rancid. It’ssafer to use commercially renderedsuet cakes in the spring and summermonths. Rendering (boiling) the fatkills bacteria.

You can make your own hummingbirdnectar by adding 1/4 cup of sugar to acup of boiling water. Remember,sugar water will ferment when left inthe hot sun, turning nectar deadly. Do not put out a nectar feeder if youare not willing to clean it at leastweekly, preferably twice a week.

Hummers eat insects for theirprotein. There is no evidence thatthese tiny birds need vitamin andmineral supplements. There is also no evidence that adding red foodcoloring to nectar will harm the birds, but it probably is not necessaryto attract them. Just put your feeder near red flowers or buy a redhummingbird feeder.

Do wild birdsneed grit?

Can birds chokeon peanutbutter?

Won’t suet go badin the summer?

What ishummingbirdnectar? Dohummers neednectar fortifiedwith vitaminsand minerals?

Bees will inevitably visit yourhummingbird feeder, especially in hot weather. Little plastic bee guardsmay help keep them from gettingnectar but it won’t stop them fromtrying. Don’t take the chance ofcontaminating your nectar by putting vegetable oil around thefeeding portals. One solution is to add a few small feeders away fromwhere people are likely to bebothered by bees.

Birds will come right to your window.Sometimes it takes a while for themto overcome their initial reluctance,so be patient. Don’t worry that afeeder on the window will cause birds to fly into the window. Birds flyinto the window because they see the reflection of the woods. Windowfeeders and decals help break up the reflection.

No. The red or pink coating iscapstan, a fungicide used on seedsmeant for planting. If you buy a bagof cracked corn or other seed treatedwith capstan, return it to the store. It can kill horses, other mammals and wild birds.

Moths lay their eggs in sunflowerseeds. The eggs lay dormant as longas the seeds are stored in a cool dryplace. In the summer, seeds get hotand the eggs hatch. The best way to avoid this problem is to buy seedsin smaller quantities, or store yourseeds in a cool, dry place. It alsohelps to know where your retailerstores the seed. An air-conditionedstorage unit is the better choice.

Insects also lay their eggs in burlapbags. Don’t buy seeds in burlap bags.Don’t buy seed in paper and plasticbags with patched holes. That may bea sign of insect or rodent infestation.

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How can I avoidbees at myhummingbirdfeeder?

How close to mywindow can I puta feeder?

Is cracked corncoated with a reddye safe to use?

I bought a bag ofsunflower seedsearly in thespring. Over thesummer I firstnoticed worms,then moths. Whatcan I do to keepthe bugs out?

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Homes for BirdsMany of the birds that visit feedersand baths may stay and nest innearby trees. Most of them, includingcardinals, doves and orioles, don’tnest in boxes. You can still help them by considering their food and shelter requirements in yourlandscape plans.

More than two dozen NorthAmerican birds nest in bird houses.The following descriptions will helpyou determine which birds mightvisit your neighborhood.

If you put up a bluebird house nearan old field, orchard, park, cemeteryor golf course, you might have achance of attracting a pair ofbluebirds. They prefer nest boxes ona tree stump or wooden fence postbetween three and five feet high.Bluebirds also nest in abandonedwoodpecker nest holes.

The most important measurement isthe hole diameter. An inch and a halfis small enough to deter starlings,which, along with house sparrows,have been known to kill bluebirds, aswell as adults sitting on the nest.Bluebirds have problems with otheranimals too. Discourage cats, snakes,raccoons and chipmunks by mountingthe house on a metal pole, or use ametal predator guard on a wood post.

The robin is our largest thrush. They prefer to build their nest in thecrotch of a tree. If you don’t have anappropriate tree, you can offer anesting platform. Pick a spot six feet or higher up on a shaded treetrunk or under the overhang of ashed or porch. Creating a “mudpuddle” nearby offers furtherenticement, as robins use mud to holdtheir nests together.

Birds You CanAttract to NestBoxes

Bluebirds

American Robins

Chickadees, titmice and nuthatchesshare the same food, feeders, andhabitat. If you put a properlydesigned nest box in a wooded yard,at least one of these species mightcheck it out.

Put chickadee houses at eye level.Hang them from limbs or securethem to tree trunks. The entrancehole should be 11/8 inches to attractchickadees, yet exclude housesparrows. Anchor houses fornuthatches on tree trunks five to sixfeet off the ground.

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Chickadees,Nuthatches and Titmice

Look for brown creepers to nestbehind the curved bark of treetrunks. In heavily wooded yards, slabbark houses appeal to creepers.Prothonotary warblers also preferslab bark houses, or bluebird boxesattached to a tree trunk, but theirsmust be placed over water (lakes,rivers or swamps) with a good canopyof trees overhead.

Brown CreepersandProthonotaryWarblers

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Wrens don’t seem to be very pickyabout where they nest. Try nestboxes with a 1 inch x 2 inch horizontalslot (11/2 inch x 2 1/2 inch for the largerCarolina wrens) instead of a circle.These are easier for the wrens to use.However, the larger the opening, themore likely it is house sparrows willoccupy the box.

Wrens are known for filling a nestcavity with twigs, regardless ofwhether they use the nest to raisetheir young. Since male house wrensbuild several nests for the female tochoose from, hang several nest boxes at eye level on partly sunlittree limbs. Wrens are sociable andwill accept nest boxes quite close toyour house.

Wrens

Tree swallows prefer nest boxesattached to dead trees. Space theboxes about seven feet apart for these white-bellied birds withiridescent blue-green backs andwings. The ideal setting for theseinsect-eaters is on the edge of a largefield near a lake, pond or river.

Violet-green swallows nest in forestedmountains of the West; boxes placed on large trees in a semi-openwoodland will attract them.

If you have the right habitat, like anopen barn or old shed, barn swallowsand phoebes are easy to attract. It’s their nesting behavior, not theirplumage or song, that catches yourattention. However, these birds tendto nest where you would rather nothave them: on a ledge right over your front door. To avoid a mess byyour door, offer the birds a nestingshelf nearby where you’d rather have them.

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Tree and Violet-green Swallows

Barn Swallowsand Phoebes

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Many people want martins in theiryards because, it’s been said, thesebirds eat 2,000 mosquitoes a day.While it’s true that they eat flyinginsects, don’t expect purple martinsto eliminate mosquitoes in your yardcompletely. Martins preferdragonflies, which prey on mosquitolarvae. If you want to help rid youryard of mosquitoes, put up a batroosting box. One bat can eatthousands of mosquitoes a night.

Martins are entertaining creatures,however, and you’ll enjoy watchingtheir antics in your backyard. Youhave the best chance of attractingmartins if you put a house on theedge of a pond or river, surroundedby a field or lawn. Martins need a radius of about 40 feet ofunobstructed flying space aroundtheir houses. A telephone wirenearby gives them a place to perch in sociable groups.

Martins nest in groups, so you’ll needa house with a minimum of four largerooms—6 or more inches on all sides, with a 2 1/2 inch entrance hole about 11/2 inches above the floor.Ventilation and drainage are criticalfactors in martin house design.Porches, railings, porch dividers and supplemental roof perches, like a TV antenna, make any house more appealing.

You can also make houses fromgourds by fashioning an entrancehole and small holes in the bottom for drainage. If you use gourds, it’snot necessary to add railings andperches. Adult martins will perch onthe wire used to hang the houses.Before you select a house, thinkabout what kind of pole you’re goingto put it on. Martins occupy a houseten to twenty feet off the ground.Some poles are less cumbersomethan others.

Purple Martins

Gourd houses are the easiest to setup. String them from a wire betweentwo poles, from a sectional aluminumpole, or on pulleys mounted to acrossbar high up on a pole.

You can mount lightweight aluminumhouses for martins on telescopingpoles, providing easy access formaintenance and inspection. Becauseof their weight (more than 30pounds), wood houses should not bemounted on telescoping poles. You’llhave to use a sturdy metal or a woodpole attached to a pivot post. Theproblem with this lowering techniqueis that you can’t tilt the house withoutdamaging the nests inside. If you putyour house on a shorter, fixed pole,ten to twelve feet high, you can use aladder to inspect and maintain it.

The great crested flycatcher and itswestern cousin, the ash-throatedflycatcher, are common in woodedsuburbs and rural areas withwoodlots. Their natural nesting sitesare abandoned woodpecker holes.Flycatchers may nest in a bird house if it is placed about ten feet up in a tree in an orchard or at theedge of a field or stream. This is alongshot, but well worth the effort ifyou are successful.

You can attract all types ofwoodpeckers with a suet feeder, butonly the flicker is likely to use a bird house. They prefer a box withroughened interior and a floorcovered with a two-inch layer of wood chips or coarse sawdust.Flickers are especially attracted tonest boxes filled with sawdust, whichthey “excavate” to suit themselves.For best results, place the box high up on a tree trunk, exposed to direct sunlight.

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Flycatchers

Woodpeckers

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Try building a birdhouse for theother species of woodpeckersfollowing the guidelines in thisbooklet. You might be surprised!

Most owls seldom build their ownnests. Great horned and long-earedowls prefer abandoned crow andhawk nests. Other owls (barred, barn,saw-whet, boreal and screech) nest intree cavities and bird houses.

Barn owls are best known forselecting nesting sites near farms.Where trees are sparse, these birdswill nest in church steeples, silos and barns. If you live near a farm ora golf course, try fastening a nest box for owls about 15 feet up on atree trunk.

Screech owls prefer abandonedwoodpecker holes at the edge of afield or neglected orchard. They willreadily take to boxes lined with aninch or two of wood shavings. If youclean the box out in late spring afterthe young owls have fledged, you mayattract a second tenant—a kestrel.Trees isolated from larger tracts ofwoods have less chance of squirrelstaking over the box.

Owls

Selecting a HouseIn the bird house business, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.”Decide which bird you want toattract, then get a house for thatparticular bird. Look through anybook or catalog and you’ll see birdhouses of all sizes and shapes, with perches and without, made ofmaterials you might not have thought of: recycled paper, gourds,plastic, rubber, pottery, metal andconcrete. The proper combination of quality materials and design makes a good birdhouse.

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MaterialsWood is just about the best buildingmaterial for any birdhouse. It’sdurable, has good insulating qualitiesand breathes. Three-quarter-inchthick bald cypress and red cedar arerecommended. Pine and exteriorgrade plywood will do, but they arenot as durable.

It makes no difference whether thewood is slab, rough-cut or finished, as long as the inside has not beentreated with stains or preservatives.Fumes from the chemicals couldharm the birds.

photo: Bill French/USFWS

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There’s no need to paint cypress andcedar, but pine and plywood houseswill last longer with a coat of water-based exterior latex paint. White isthe color for purple martin houses.Tan, gray or dull green works bestfor the other cavity nesting species.The dull, light colors reflect heat andare less conspicuous to predators.Don’t paint the inside of the box orthe entrance hole.

Regardless of which wood you select,gluing all the joints before you nailthem will extend the life of your birdhouse. Galvanized or brass shanknails, hinges and screws resistrusting and hold boxes together moretightly as they age.

Resist the temptation to put a metalroof on your bird house. Reflectivemetal makes sense for martin housesup on a sixteen-foot pole, but whenit’s tacked onto the roof of a woodchickadee house, the shiny metal ismore likely to attract predators.

Natural gourds make very attractivebird houses. They breathe, andbecause they sway in the wind theyare less likely to be taken over byhouse sparrows and starlings.

Grow your own gourds and you’llhave dozens to choose from in theyears ahead. If you don’t have thespace to grow them, a coat ofpolyurethane or exterior latex (on theoutside only) will add years to the oneyou have.

Properly designed pottery, aluminum(for purple martins only), concreteand plastic houses are durable, butdon’t drop them.

Be sure to provide ventilation,drainage, and easy access formaintenance and monitoring.Concrete (or a mix of concrete andsawdust) offers protection otherhouses cannot: squirrels can’t chewtheir way in.

DesignHow elaborate you make your birdhouse depends on your own tastes. Inaddition to where you place the box,the most important considerationsare: box height, depth, floordimensions, diameter of entrancehole and height of the hole above thebox floor.

Refer to the following chart beforebuilding your nest box, keeping inmind that birds make their ownchoices, without regard for charts. So don’t be surprised if you findtenants you never expected in ahouse you intended for someone else.Now that you have the correctdimensions for your bird house, take a look at how to make it safe:ventilation, drainage, susceptibly topredators, and ease of maintenance.

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Nest Box Dimensions

Floor Depth size (top to bottom)

Species (inches) (inches)

American Robin* 7x8 8

Eastern &Western Bluebirds 5x5 8–12

Mountain Bluebird 5x5 8–12

Chickadee 4x4 8–10

Titmouse 4x4 10–12

Ash-throatedFlycatcher 6x6 8–12

Great CrestedFlycatcher 6x6 8–12

Phoebe* 6x6 6

Brown-headed/Pygmy/Red-breasted Nuthatch 4x4 8–10

White-breastedNuthatch 4x4 8–10

ProthonotaryWarbler 5x5 6

Barn Swallow* 6x6 6

Purple Martin 6x6 6

Tree and Violet-Green Swallows 5x5 6–8

*Use nesting shelf, platform with three sides and an open front

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Entrance Height Entrance Heightabove floor Diameter above ground(inches) (inches) (feet)

—– —–

6–10 11/2 4–6

6–10 11/2 4–6

6–8 11/8 4–15

6–10 11/4 5–15

6–10 11/2 5–15

6–10 13/4 5–15

—– —– 8–12

6–8 11/4 5–15

6–8 13/8 5–15

4–5 11/8 4–8

—– —– 8–12

1–2 21/4 6–20

4–6 11/2 5–15

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Floor Depth size (top to bottom)

Species (inches) (inches)

Downy Woodpecker 4x4 8–10

Hairy Woodpecker 6x6 12–15

Lewis’sWoodpecker 7x7 16–18

NorthernFlicker 7x7 16–18

Pileated Woodpecker 8x8 16–24

Red–Headed Woodpecker 6x6 12–15

Yellow–belliedSapsucker 5x5 12–15

Bewick’s/ House Wrens 4x4 6–8

Carolina Wren 4x4 6–8

Barn Owl 10x18 15–18

Screech–Owl and Kestrel 8x8 12–15

Osprey 48x48 (platform)

Red–tailed Hawk/Great Horned Owl 24x24 platform

Wood Duck 10x18 10–24

*Use nesting shelf, platform with three sides and an open front

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Entrance Height Entrance Heightabove floor Diameter above ground(inches) (inches) (feet)

6–8 11/4 5–15

9–12 1 1/2 8–20

14–16 21/2 12–20

14–16 21/2 6–20

12–20 3x4 15–25

9–12 2 10–20

9–12 11/2 10–20

4–6 11/4 5–10

4–6 11/2 5–10

4 6 12–18

9–12 3 10–30

12–16 4 10–20

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You should provide air vents in birdboxes. There are two ways to provideventilation: leave gaps between theroof and sides of the box, or drill 1/4

inch holes just below the roof.

Water becomes a problem when it sitsin the bottom of a bird house. A roofwith sufficient slope and overhangoffers some protection. Drilling theentrance hole on an upward slantmay also help keep the water out.Regardless of design, driving rainwill get in through the entrance hole.You can assure proper drainage bycutting away the corners of the boxfloor and drilling 1/4-inch holes. Nestboxes will last longer if the floors arerecessed about 1/4 inch.

Look for the entrance hole on thefront panel near the top. A roughsurface both inside and out makes iteasier for the adults to get into thebox and, when it’s time, for thenestlings to climb out.

If your box is made of finished wood,add a couple of grooves outside belowthe hole. Open the front panel andadd grooves, cleats or wire mesh tothe inside. Never put up a bird housewith a perch below the entrance hole. Perches offer starlings, housesparrows and other predators aconvenient place to wait for lunch.Don’t be tempted by duplexes orhouses that have more than oneentrance hole. Except for purplemartins, cavity-nesting birds prefernot to share a house. While thesecondos look great in your yard,starlings and house sparrows areinclined to use them.

Ventilation

Drainage

Entrance Hole

Bird houses should be easilyaccessible so you can see how yourbirds are doing and clean out thehouse. Monitor your bird housesevery week and evict unwantedcreatures such as house sparrows or starlings.

Be careful when you inspect yourbird boxes—you may find somethingother than a bird inside. Don’t besurprised to see squirrels, mice,snakes or insects. Look for fleas,flies, mites, larvae and lice in thebottom of the box. If you find insectsand parasites, your first reaction maybe to grab the nearest can of insectspray. If you do, use only insecticidesknown to be safe around birds: 1 percent rotenone powder orpyrethrin spray. If wasps are aproblem, coat the inside top of thebox with bar soap.

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Accessibility

Here’s how to check your nest boxesfor unwanted visitors:

Watch the nest for 20–30 minutes. Ifyou don’t see or hear any birds nearthe box, go over and tap on the box.If you hear bird sounds, open the top and take a quick peek inside. Ifeverything is all right, close the box.If you see problems (parasites orpredators), remove them and closethe box.

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A bird house with easy access makesthe job simple. Most bird houses canbe opened from the top, the side, thefront or the bottom. Boxes that openfrom the top and the front providethe easiest access. Opening the boxfrom the top is less likely to disturbnesting birds. It’s impossible to opena box from the bottom without thenest falling out. While side- andfront-opening boxes are convenientfor cleaning and monitoring, theyhave one drawback: the nestlingsmay jump out. If this happens, don’tpanic. Pick them up and put themback in the nest. Don’t worry that theadults will reject the nestlings if youhandle them. That’s a myth; mostbirds have a terrible sense of smell.

If you clean out your nest boxes aftereach brood has fledged, several pairsmay use the nest throughout thesummer. Some cavity-nesting birdswill not nest again in a box full of oldnesting material.

In the fall, after you’ve cleaned outyour nest box for the last time, youcan put it in storage or leave it out.Gourds and pottery last longer if youtake them in for the winter. You canleave your purple martin houses up,but plug the entrance holes todiscourage starlings and housesparrows.

Leaving your wood and concretehouses out provides shelter for birds,flying squirrels and other animalsduring winter. Each spring,thoroughly clean all houses left outfor the winter.

Proper box depth, and roof andentrance hole design will help reduce access by predators, such asraccoons, cats, opossums, andsquirrels. Sometimes all it takes is anangled roof with a three-inchoverhang to discourage smallmammals.

The entrance hole is the only thingbetween a predator and a bird housefull of nestlings. By itself, the 3/4-inchwall is not wide enough to keep outthe arm of a raccoon or house cat.Add a predator guard (a 3/4-inch thickrectangular wood block with anentrance hole cut in it) to thicken thewall and you’ll discourage sparrows,starlings, and cats.

Bird House PlacementWhere you put your bird house is asimportant as its design andconstruction. Cavity-nesting birds arevery particular about where they live.If you don’t have the right habitat,the birds are not likely to find thehouse. You can modify your land toattract the birds you want to see byputting out a bird bath, plantingfruit-bearing shrubs, including moretrees or installing a pond with awaterfall.

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LimitingPredator Access

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Once you’ve matched up the rightbird house with the appropriatehabitat, you have to know where toput the nest box. Should you hang itfrom a tree limb, nail it to a fence ormount it on a pole or a tree trunk?

Most species require a fairly narrowrange of heights for nest boxes. Afterchecking the table in this brochure,pick a height that’s convenient foryou. After all, you will want to watchwhat goes on and keep the box clean.If you want to watch chickadees fromyour second floor window or deck,fifteen feet is reasonable but it’s a loteasier to clean out a box at eye level.

Here are some tips on where to putbird houses:

don’t put bird houses near birdfeeders.

houses mounted on metal poles areless vulnerable to predators thanhouses nailed to tree trunks or hungfrom tree limbs.

use no more than four small nestboxes or one large box per acre forany one species.

put about 100 yards between bluebirdboxes and 75 yards between swallowboxes. (If you have both species, pairthe houses with one bluebird box 25feet from a swallow box.)

don’t put more than one box in a treeunless the tree is extremely large orthe boxes are for different species.

if you have very hot summers, facethe entrance holes of your boxesnorth or east to avoid overheating the box.

Protection from PredatorsNesting birds are extremelyvulnerable to cats, as are fledglingsand birds roosting for the night. Bell collars on cats offer birds littleprotection. Nailing a sheet metalguard or cone to a tree trunk isunsightly, but may deter less agilefelines. Houses mounted on metalpoles are the most difficult forpredators to reach, especially if yousmear the poles with a petroleumjelly and hot pepper mixture. Thebest deterrent is for owners to keeptheir cats inside whenever possible.

Pet dogs are a hazard to nestlings in the spring and summer. Don’t let your dog run loose during nesting time.

Red squirrels, and sometimes graysquirrels, can become a seriousmenace to bird houses and the birdsthemselves. If you find your nest holeenlarged, chances are a red squirrelis the culprit. Once inside the box,squirrels make a meal of the eggsand young. Adding a predator guardmade of sheet metal to the entrancehole is usually enough to keepsquirrels out.

Raccoons and opossums will sticktheir arms inside nest boxes and tryto pull out the adult, young, and eggs. Adding a 3/4-inch thick predatorguard to the bird house or aninverted cone to its pole support is asimple solution.

Snakes play an important part in thebalance of nature. If you find one inyour bird house, don’t kill it. Snake-proof your house by putting it on ametal pole lathered with petroleumjelly or red cayenne pepper.

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Cats

Dogs

Squirrels

Raccoons andOpossums

Snakes

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If you don’t discourage them, thesetwo nuisance species introduced from Europe will harass or killcavity-nesting birds. Since housesparrows and starlings are notprotected by law, you may destroytheir nests. But remember, otherbirds are protected by law.

House wrens sometimes interferewith the nesting success of otherbirds by puncturing their eggs. But, unlike the house sparrow andstarling, these birds are native toNorth America and are protected bylaw. Don’t be tempted to intervenewhen wrens appear at your backyard birdhouse.

Many insects lay their eggs andpupate in bird houses. Inspect yourbird houses for signs of gypsy moths,blow flies, wasps, ants, gnats andbees. Keep bees and wasps fromattaching their nests by coating theinside of the roof with bar soap. Inareas where gypsy moths abound,avoid placing boxes in oak trees,which the gypsy moths favor.

Pyrethrin and rotenone insecticidesare recommended for killing flylarvae, bird lice and mites after birdshave finished nesting for the season.

Attracting BirdsAs people learn to enjoy the beautyof birds around their home, they maywish to improve the “habitat” in theiryard so that more birds will visittheir property. You can attract birdsby placing bird feeders, nest boxesand bird baths in your yard, and byplanting a variety of trees, shrubs,and flowers. These can provide goodnesting sites, winter shelter, places to hide from predators and natural food supplies that are available year-round.

House Sparrowsand Starlings

House Wrens

Insects

Landscaping for BirdsThe most surefire way to attractbirds to your backyard is to makecertain the appropriate habitat isavailable to them. You may be luckyand already have a good supply offood, shelter, and water available forour feathered friends. In that case,you have to do little more than standback and watch.

However, for most backyards, birdhabitat must be created. It’s called“landscaping for birds” and it can be as simple or extravagant as you wish. Whatever the approach,anyone who has ever tried this typeof landscaping comes away with areal love for it after their firstsparkling hummingbirds hover at the coral bells, or the perky catbirdcomes down for a drink of water fromthe birdbath, or the sleek waxwingsgather en masse to samplebittersweet berries.

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Wildlife photography is a wonderfulhobby for people of all ages.

Try keeping a list of all the birds yousee in your yard or from your yard.Some people have counted nearly 200species of birds in their yard!

Birds such as tree swallows, housewrens, brown thrashers and orioleseat a variety of insects.

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Benefits of Landscaping for BirdsYou can derive many benefits fromlandscaping to attract birds to youryard:

You can probably double the numberof bird species using your propertywith a good landscaping plan.

By carefully arranging your coniferand hardwood trees, you can lowerwinter heating and summer coolingbills for your house.

Certain landscape plants can preventsoil erosion.

A good landscaping plan contributesto a beautiful, natural setting aroundyour home that is pleasing to peopleas well as birds.

IncreasedWildlifePopulations

EnergyConservation

SoilConservation

Natural Beauty

WildlifePhotography

Birdwatching

Natural InsectControl

Some plants that attract wildlife are also appealing to humans. People and wildlife can sharecherries, chokecherries, strawberries,and crabapples.

A good landscaping plan can greatlyincrease the value of your propertyby adding natural beauty and anabundance of wildlife.

Some of the best wildlife habitats arethe best habitats for young people todiscover the wonders of nature. Abackyard bird habitat can stimulateyoung people to develop a lifelonginterest in wildlife and conservation.

Basics of Landscaping for BirdsLandscaping for birds involves ninebasic principles:

Every bird species has its own uniquefood requirements that may changeas the seasons change. Learn thefood habits of the birds you wish toattract. Then plant the appropriatetrees, shrubs, and flowers to providethe fruits, berries, seeds, acorns, nutsand nectar.

You may be able to double thenumber of bird species in your yard by providing a source of water.A frog pond, water garden, or bird bath will get lots of bird use,especially if the water is dripping,splashing or moving.

Birds need places where they canhide from predators and escape fromsevere weather. Trees (including deadones), shrubs, tall grass and birdhouses provide excellent shelter.

The best landscaping plan is one that includes a variety of nativeplants. This helps attract the mostbird species.

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Food Production

Property Value

Habitat for Kids

Food

Water

Shelter

Diversity

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Give birds food and shelterthroughout the year by planting avariety of trees, shrubs and flowersthat provide year-round benefits.

Properly arrange the differenthabitat components in your yard.Consider the effects of prevailingwinds (and snow drifting) so youryard will be protected from harshwinter weather.

Birds should be protected fromunnecessary mortality. Whenchoosing the placement of birdfeeders and nest boxes, consider theiraccessibility to predators. Picturewindows can also be dangerous forbirds, who fly directly at windowswhen they see the reflection of treesand shrubs. A network of parallel,vertical strings spaced 4 inches apart can be placed on the outside ofwindows to prevent this problem. Becautious about the kinds of herbicidesand pesticides used in your yard.Apply them only when necessary and strictly according to labelinstructions. In fact, try gardeningand lawn care without usingpesticides. Details can be found ingardening books at the library.

When considering plants not native toyour area, consult a plant hardinesszone map, found in most gardencatalogues. Make sure the plants you want are rated for the winterhardiness zone classification of your area.

Consult your local garden center,university or county extension officeto have your soil tested. Plant speciesare often adapted to certain types of soils. If you know what type of soil you have, you can identify thetypes of plants that will grow best inyour yard.

Four Seasons

Arrangement

Protection

Hardiness Zones

Soils andTopography

Plants for Wild BirdsSeven types of plants are importantas bird habitat:

Conifers are evergreen trees andshrubs that include pines, spruces,firs, arborvitae, junipers, cedars, andyews. These plants are important asescape cover, winter shelter andsummer nesting sites. Some alsoprovide sap, fruits and seeds.

Grasses and legumes can providecover for ground nesting birds—butonly if the area is not mowed duringthe nesting season. Some grasses and legumes provide seeds as well.Native prairie grasses are becomingincreasingly popular for landscapingpurposes.

Nectar-producing plants are verypopular for attracting hummingbirdsand orioles. Flowers with tubular redcorollas are especially attractive tohummingbirds. Other trees, shrubs,vines and flowers also can providenectar for hummingbirds.

This category includes plants thatproduce fruits or berries from Maythrough August. In the summer theseplants can attract brown thrashers,catbirds, robins, thrushes, waxwings,woodpeckers, orioles, cardinals,towhees and grosbeaks. Examples ofsummer-fruiting plants are variousspecies of cherry, chokecherry,honeysuckle, raspberry, serviceberry,blackberry, blueberry, grape,mulberry, plum and elderberry.

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Conifers

Grasses andLegumes

Nectar-producing Plants

Summer-fruitingPlants

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This landscape component includesshrubs and vines whose fruits ripenin the fall. These foods are importantboth for migratory birds which buildup fat reserves before migration andas a food source for nonmigratoryspecies that need to enter the winterseason in good physical condition.Fall-fruiting plants include dogwoods,mountain ash, winter-berries,cottoneasters and buffalo-berries.

Winter-fruiting plants are thosewhose fruits remain attached to theplants long after they first becomeripe in the fall. Many are notpalatable until they have frozen andthawed many times. Examples areglossy black chokecherry, Siberianand “red splendor” crabapple,snowberry, bittersweet, sumacs,American highbush cranberry,eastern and European wahoo,Virginia creeper, and Chinaberry.

These include oaks, hickories,buckeyes, chestnuts, butternuts,walnuts and hazels. A variety ofbirds, such as jays, woodpeckers andtitmice, eat the meats of broken nutsand acorns These plants alsocontribute to good nesting habitat.

How to Get StartedThink of this project as landscapingfor birds. Your goal will be to plant an assortment of trees, shrubs andflowers that will attract birds. If youplan carefully it can be inexpensiveand fun for the whole family. The best way to get started is to followthese guidelines:

Decide what types of birds you wishto attract, then build your planaround the needs of those species.Talk to friends and neighbors to find out what kinds of birds frequent your area. Attend a local bird club meeting and talk to localbirdwatchers about how they haveattracted birds to their yards.

Fall-fruitingPlants

Winter-fruitingPlants

Nut and AcornPlants

Set YourPriorities

Check with the botany department of a nearby college or university orwith your state’s natural heritageprogram for lists of trees, shrubs,and wildflowers native to your area.Use this list as a starting point foryour landscape plan. These plants arenaturally adapted to the climate ofyour area and are a good long-terminvestment. Many native plants areboth beautiful for landscapingpurposes and excellent for birds. If you include nonnative plant speciesin your plan, be sure they are notconsidered “invasive pests” by plantexperts. Check out the bird books inyour local library.

Draw a map of your property to scaleusing graph paper. Identify buildings,sidewalks, power lines, buried cables,fences, septic tank fields, trees,shrubs and patios. Consider how your plan relates to your neighbor’sproperty—will the tree you plantshade out the neighbor’s vegetablegarden? Identify and map sunny orshady sites, low or wet sites, sandysites, and native plants that will beleft in place.

Also identify special views that you wish to enhance—areas for pets, benches, picnics, storage,playing, sledding, vegetable gardensand paths.

Get your soil tested by your localgarden center, county extensionagent or soil conservation service.Find out what kinds of soil you haveand then find out if your soils havenutrient or organic deficiencies thatfertilization or addition of compostcan correct. The soils you have willhelp determine the plants which canbe included in your landscaping plan.

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Use NativePlants WhenPossible

Draw a Map ofYour Property

Get Your SoilTested

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Review the seven plant componentsdescribed previously. Whichcomponents are already present?Which ones are missing? Rememberthat you are trying to provide foodand cover through all four seasons.Develop a list of plants that you thinkwill provide the missing habitatcomponents.

Review this plant list withlandscaping resource experts who canmatch your ideas with your soil types,soil drainage and the plants availablethrough state or private nurseries.People at the nearby arboretum canhelp with your selections. At anarboretum you can also see whatmany plants look like. Talk with localbird clubs, the members of whichprobably are knowledgeable aboutlandscaping for birds.

Sketch on your map the plants youwish to add. Draw trees to a scalethat represents three-fourths of theirmature width, and shrubs at their fullmature width. This will help youcalculate how many trees and shrubsyou need. There is a tendency toinclude so many trees that eventuallyyour yard will be mostly shaded. Besure to leave open sunny sites whereflowers and shrubs can thrive. Decidehow much money you can spend andthe time span of your project. Don’ttry to do too much at once. You mighttry a five-year development plan.

Finally, go to it! Begin your plantingsand include your entire family so theycan all feel they are helping wildlife.Document your plantings on paperand by photographs. Try takingpictures of your yard from the samespots every year to document thegrowth of your plants.

Review the SevenPlant HabitatComponents

Talk to ResourceExperts

Develop YourPlanting Plan

Implement YourPlan

Keep your new trees, shrubs andflowers adequately watered, and keepyour planting areas weed-free by useof landscaping film and wood chips orshredded bark mulch. This avoids theuse of herbicides for weed control. If problems develop with your plants,consult a local nursery, garden centeror county extension agent.

Make sure to take the time to enjoythe wildlife that will eventuallyrespond to your landscaping efforts.

Protecting Bird HabitatEach year your state wildlife agency,private conservation groups, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, otherfederal agencies, and many privatelandowners and business leaderswork together to conserve andmanage millions of acres of habitat—swamps, forests, ponds andgrasslands. These habitats providenesting habitat for songbirds andshorebirds, ducks and geese, hawksand owls.

You can make a difference in helpingprotect habitats for migratory birdsby joining a national, regional or local wildlife or habitat conservationorganization. Also, each yearthousands of individuals throughoutthe western hemisphere celebrateInternational Migratory Bird Day(IMBD) through bird festivals, walksand counts. Held annually on thesecond Saturday in May, IMBD is the hallmark event of Partners inFlight, an international coalition of federal, state, local governmentand non-government agencies andorganizations, industry, the academiccommunity, and private individuals.Partners in Flight’s mission is toreverse the declines of some

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Maintain YourPlan

And Finally . . .

50

migratory bird species and raiseawareness of the important role that migratory birds play in our lives. Look for an IMBD event inyour area. For more informationabout IMBD, Partners in Flight or migratory bird related issues,contact U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, Division of Migratory BirdManagement, 4401 North FairfaxDrive, Suite 634, Arlington, VA 22203or visit http://birds.fws.gov.

Another way that you can helppreserve a disappearing but valuablenatural resource—wetlands—is bybuying Federal Duck Stamps at yourlocal post office. Money from sales of these stamps is used to protectwetlands. For more information, write U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,Federal Duck Stamp Office, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC20240. http://duckstamps.fws.gov.

All photos copyright Maslowski Photo, Inc. except as noted.

Additional ResourcesA large variety of books are availableon attracting, housing, feeding, andgardening for birds. Check your locallibrary, book store, or the Internet,for a selection of books on attractingbirds to your yard.

There are many good on-lineresources for bird enthusiasts. Below are a few useful web sites thatdiscuss some of the more popularbackyard birds; general informationon bird feeding, housing, andgardening for birds; ways to keepbirds safe from predators; andopportunities for you to becomecitizen scientists just by watchingbirds at your feeder.

WildBirds.com—feeding and attractinghttp://www.wildbirds.com

Birding/Wild Birds—backyard birds,birdhouses and feedershttp://www.birding.about.com/hobbies/birding

Backyard Wildlife Habitats—National WildlifeFederationhttp://www.nwf.org/habitats

Cats Indoors—American Birding Conservancyhttp://www.abcbirds.org/cats/catsindoors.htm

North American Bluebird Societyhttp://www.nabluebirdsociety.org

Purple Martin Conservation Associationhttp://www.purplemartin.org

BirdSource—FeederWatch and ClassroomFeederWatchhttp://birdsource.org

National Bird-Feeding Societyhttp://www.birdfeeding.org/

Stokes Birds at Home/Birding—feeding,housing, and gardeninghttp://www.stokesbirdsathome.com/birding

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends noendorsement and cannot guarantee theaccuracy of information found on these websites.

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Books

Web Sites

Disclaimer

http://birds.fws.gov

March 2001Revised