SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT
|
HEIGHT |
Wrens |
4 X 4 X 8 |
1
1/2 X 4 |
4-6" |
4
to 10 ft. |
Comments:
Wrens will build a nest in anything that resembles a
cavity. This includes boxes, cans, mail boxes, old hats,
and flowerpots. Rather large twigs are often used for
the nest the entrance hole needs to be fairly
large. A rectangular slot in the door works well for
this. A simple way to achieve this is to make the house
door shorter than usual which will leave a rectangular
opening above the door. The wren house should be
placed on the side of a building or on a post or tree.
These lively little birds will often nest on a porch. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Chickadee |
4
X 4 X 8 |
1
1/4" |
6" |
4
to 15 ft |
Comments:
Chickadees are secretive about their nest building. You
will have to watch the house closely to see their coming
and going. Place the house in areas where woods meet
open areas. The chickadee nest is usually made from
moss. The eggcup will be lined with animal hair. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Tufted
Titmouse |
4
X 4 X 8 |
1
1/4" |
6" |
5
to 15 ft |
Comments:
Titmice are closely related to chickadees and have
similar nesting habits. Place the house on the edge of
woods or in woodland clearings. Titmice will often add a
bit of trash like cellophane or a bit of snakeskin to
the nest. |
Page
Quick Links
Wrens
- Chickadee - Titmouse
- Nuthatches - Downy
Woodpecker - Prothonotary
Warbler
Eastern Bluebird - Hairy
Woodpecker - Flicker - Great
Crested Flycatcher - Purple
Martin
Wood Duck - Predator
Control - Definitions - Top
of Page
|
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Nuthatches |
4 X 4 X 8 |
1
3/8" |
6" |
5
to 15 ft. |
Comments:
Brown-headed, White-breasted, and Red-breasted
Nuthatches will all use a birdhouse. The nest is similar
to that of chickadees and tit- mice, but may contain
pine seeds. Place the house along the edge of woods or
in woodland clearings. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Downy
Woodpecker |
4
X 4 X 9 |
1
1/4" |
7" |
5
to 15 ft. |
Comments:
The Downy is one of North America’s smallest
woodpeckers. Like the other woodpeckers, they excavate
their own cavity, but will use one made by another bird.
They may peck the inside of the birdhouse in order to
create some sawdust for the nest. Place the house in
woodland clearings. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Prothonotary
Warbler |
4
X 4 X 6 |
1
1/2" |
4" |
4
to 12 ft. |
Comments:
The Prothonotary Warbler is a bright yellow bird that
lives in areas with water. Listen for their loud
"sweet, sweet sweet" call around beaver ponds
and rivers. They prefer to use a cavity that is over
water, so place the house accordingly. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Eastern
Bluebird |
4
X 4 X 8 |
1
1/2" |
6" |
4
to 15 ft |
Comments:
Bluebirds prefer open areas with trees for nesting.
Orchards golf courses and open woods make good
locations. Yards with large open lawns are also good.
Avoid areas with high grass, thick woods, or large, open
areas with no trees. The house can be attached to a tree
or post. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Hairy
Woodpecker |
6
X 6 X 12 |
1
5/8" |
9" |
12
to 20 ft. |
Comments:
The Hairy Woodpecker is a larger version of the Downy
Woodpecker. They are not as common as other woodpeckers,
but will occasionally use a birdhouse. Place the house
in the woods on a tree. |
Page
Quick Links
Wrens
- Chickadee - Titmouse
- Nuthatches - Downy
Woodpecker - Prothonotary
Warbler
Eastern Bluebird - Hairy
Woodpecker - Flicker - Great
Crested Flycatcher - Purple
Martin
Wood Duck - Predator
Control - Definitions - Top
of Page
|
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Flicker |
6
X 6 X 16 |
2" |
14" |
6
to 30 ft. |
Comments:
Flickers, known as "Yellowhammers" in the
south, are probably the species of woodpecker most often
seen using a bird house. They need a large house with a
large entrance hole. They nest in more open areas than
other woodpeckers. Pastures, open yards, and golf
courses make good places to locate a house. It is a good
idea to put some sawdust or wood chips in the bottom of
the house to prevent the bird from pecking it to pieces
making material for his nest. The house should be placed
on a tree. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Great
Crested Flycatcher |
6
X 6 X 10 |
1
¾ " |
8" |
8
to 20 ft. |
Comments:
This large flycatcher is very much at home in yards with
trees. The yellow breast and loud "wheep" call
make him easy to identify. Look for a raised crest when
the bird is excited. Great Crested Flycatchers will
sometimes build a nest in martin houses and gourds.
Place the house in fairly open yards with trees or in
woodland clearings. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Purple
Martin |
6
X 6 X 6 |
2" |
1" |
10
to 20 ft. |
Comments:
The Purple Martin is probably our favorite and most
sought cavity nesting bird. They nest in colonies,
sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Place a
multi-compartment house or gourds on a pole in an open
area at least 50 ft. from the nearest tree. The pole
should be designed to lower for cleaning the house at
the end of the nesting season. The "scouts"
arrive in Late February to search for nesting sites and
the rest of the flock follows in March and April. |
SPECIES |
DIMENSIONS |
HOLE
SIZE |
HOLE
HEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
Wood
Duck |
10
X 10 X 22 |
3X4"-
Oval |
17" |
6
to 20 ft. |
Comments:
Some people are a bit surprised to learn that ducks will
nest in a house. Wood Ducks require a large house, and
usually like to nest over or near water. The house
should have a piece of wire mesh attached just beneath
the entrance hole to help the ducklings climb out. Wood
chips or sawdust should be placed in the house for nest
material. |
Page
Quick Links
Wrens
- Chickadee - Titmouse
- Nuthatches - Downy
Woodpecker - Prothonotary
Warbler
Eastern Bluebird - Hairy
Woodpecker - Flicker - Great
Crested Flycatcher - Purple
Martin
Wood Duck - Predator
Control - Definitions - Top
of Page
|