When you build a bird house there are certain things that will make your bird house plans more successful.  Building a bird house can be fun and rewarding, especially when a bird decides to take nest.  Improve your success when you use these tips:

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!