Build a bird house with proper ventilation and drainage.

Besides the opening where the birds enter add a few holes on the upper sides of the box.   During the warm months birds can literally bake in the box if air does not freely flow through the home.   Make sure the holes are not placed where water gets funneled into the living area.  Water in the form of condensation will be reduced if there is proper ventilation and drainage holes.   Drainage holes should be located directly on the bottom.  These holes should be small and not noticeable.

Build a bird house with bird safety in mind.

Location plays a large part in how safe a bird feels. You shouldn’t place your birdhouse near the street or areas with loud noises and a lot of movement for extended periods of time. Birds do not need perches! Perches are only good for domesticated caged birds. In the wild a perch will allow predators, such as snakes, rodents, and birds of prey to enter the home and snatch the eggs and young. Add three or four horizontal shallow notched lines below the opening to give the bird a place to grab on to. A bird house should have only one entrance per living quarters. Any more than that can increase risk a bird feels should a predator or competing bird comes knocking. Bird house placement depends on the species of bird you are trying to attract. A good bird house plan should include the placement preferences of each species that lives in the type of home you are building. Some birds are happy the side of a house or tree, others prefer a pole that is safe from climbing predators.

Build a bird house with style.

There are all sorts of bird house plans available that suit everyones style, but keep your birds health and safety in mind when you build a bird house.  Bright colors are undesired for bird houses because they are so desired! Strange I know.   Birds are attracted to bright colors because it is usually a source of food.  This can create added competition for the house.   Birds want a home near food not right next to or on their home.  The VOCs (volitile organic copounds) found in paints can be very harmful to birds.   There are VOC free paints that do not pose a threat to birds, however if you cannot find these, you can use regular paint, but do not paint the interior of the birdhouse.

A great bird house plan will address all of these issues and more!   You can build a bird house with your style in mind while keeping the bird safe and coming back year after year!

Choosing the Best Bird House Plan for You!

Whether your a skilled craftsman or just starting out there are several skill levels when building a birdhouse. What you need to consider is how much detail you would like for your birdhouse. The more detail on the birdhouse, the more complex the project. The skill level involved is not effected by the species in most cases, so first think about what skill level you are and then decide on the species of bird you would like to attract.

Birds are very picky, each species has their own requirements. They don’t usually care about the aesthetic features of the home. They care about three main things… Is the opening big enough for them go get in, is there enough living space inside and where the birdhouse is located. Other than that they don’t really care about they style and design of the birdhouse you choose to build. Take careful consideration of the birds in your area when choosing your birdhouse plans. You will be surprised how many different species their are where you live, but just make sure the bird house plan you choose to accommodates a species that nests in your area.

Other Tips to Consider when Choosing a Bird House Plan.

With every bird house there is basic maintenance involved. Make sure to choose a bird house plan that allows you to easily maintain your featherd freinds new home. Even simple bird house plans should have detailed information about the species for which you are building. Information like where to locate your bird house, special maintenance issues, protection from predators, and how to attract the birds of your choice.

As with anything, a little careful planning with detailed bird house plans, can make even the most complex bird house seem simple.