Why do birdhouses attract birds?

If you are into birding and have seen birds nesting or going in and out of a birdhouse in your friend’s backyard or in a park, it is likely that you may have wondered why it is they do that. What is it about these birdhouses that will attract birds? It has been found in research that depending on the size and design of a birdhouse certain species of birds will be attracted to it.

The answer lies in the fact that some eighty species of birds are classified as nester's, or birds that nest in cavities and this is one reason why they are likely to swarm towards birdhouses. Birds that are not cavity nester's are far less likely to be attracted to a birdhouse.

Birds that are cavity nester's will use a wide variety of locations when they are looking for houses to nest. So where there are big enough holes in trees or other spots they will take advantage of them. Some birds like the bluebird, will use places such as an open pipe or roof stacks.

Another main reason why birdhouses attract birds lies in the fact that when many home owners put up birdhouses on their property, they usually take the time to clean it and provide a few of the things birds will need to get by. These include food, a natural habitat, and water. Birds will go or come to where they know they will have food, water and shelter. Their natural habitat has been overrun by many different elements, human and otherwise, so their options for a nest are becoming depleted as the years go by. Once they have found a birdhouse they like they will continually come back to it.

If your backyard is friendly and looks like their natural habitat, birds will certainly be attracted to it. Once there is a birdhouse there they will find it and use it. If the birdhouse is in an open space like a nesting post, then birds like the Robin will be attracted to it because they prefer that kind of location. An enclosed birdhouse will attract small birds like the Wren. Some birds will be attracted to birdhouses placed close to the ground while others will prefer it to be at a good height.

Where the birdhouse is placed in the yard will also decide which birds nest there. If it is place near bushes or trees then the bird will likely come. The bushes and trees will provide the birds with a protective cover if they have to fly away when they sense danger. There are birds that will be attracted to houses where there are no other birds or other animals around such as dogs and cats.

If your birdhouse opening is facing the north or to the west then it will attract birds. This is because the direct light of the sun will make the house too warm in the mornings up to noon. Birds do not particularly like the heat.