Here are just some of the benefits of having hanging bird houses in your yard or garden.

One of the benefits is they attract birds. Image that… who would have thought! All kidding aside that’s a good thing for birds are great groundskeepers. Meaning they like to eat the insects and small critters that live in your yard and garden.

Now it is true that attracting birds into your yard or garden can have a negative impact as well. They like to eat other things as well you may have in your garden like fruit and vegetables. Possibly some of your flowers as well. But there are preventive steps you can take. But that’s a whole other article. 

Lets not dwell on the negatives, this article is about the benefits of a hanging bird house. Ok attracting birds can help with pest control and that’s a good thing. What about the bird house itself?

A hanging bird house bring’s a pleasing visual aspect into your yard or garden. The beauty of a wooden hanging bird house is that it’s made of wood… it comes from nature. Mahogany is one of the most common types of wood used in building bird houses as well as Pine, Cedar, Cypress. These different types of wood can be used in their natural state or painted allowing for some beautful works of art that are now being displayed in your yard.

Another benefit is family time. Bird watching is a great hobby for the whole family. By providing food and shelter for your fine feathered friends they are likely to return year after year for your bird watching pleasure. Identifying the different species and the returning visitors will provide years of enjoyment. 

Here’s the theraputic benefit of a hanging bird house. This is the lowering the blood pressure part I mentioned in the beginning. When I’m feeling stressed out, blood pressure is on the rise, all I have to do is go outside and hang out awhile. The sound of mother nature starts doing her magic and a calming, soothing peace and tranquility starts to take over. Next thing you know no more stress or anxiety and lower blood pressure. Oh there’s an added benefit here… which is the money I save by not having to go to the doctor and on  blood pressure meds. 

Here’s a tip on helping keep the blood pressure down. Water! Add a water feature to your yard or garden. Fountain, waterfall anything that has running water even if it just trickles. The sound of cascading water is so peaceful and relaxing. Plus the birds love it too.

These are just some of the benefits you can enjoy with a Hanging Bird House.  To experience it for yourself simply bring the sound of nature into your yard with a lovely wooden hanging bird house. Your guest will need a place to eat and take a bath so don’t forget a bird feeder and bird bath.           

Providing the finest birdie homes will change the way you look at a bird house.  Not only do they provide our feathered friends with a home but they also provide you with an adorable way to decorate your lawn & garden.  In order to keep these wonderful species returning to your lawn & garden consider providing them with an assortment of bird houses in different sizes and colors.  Different kinds of birds may prefer different kinds of bird houses.  Another benefit to having different sizes and colors of bird houses is the variety it adds to your outdoors.  

Bird feeders and bird baths are another great way to invite your avian friends in for dinner and a drink (or bath, if you will).  There are tons of different kinds of bird feeders to choose from.  You will need to buy or provide the right kind of bird food for different birds you want to attract.  For example, if you want to draw in hummingbirds, they like sweet sugary water in a specially-made hummingbird feeder verses bird seed.  You can make your own simple recipe of nectar from home that works just as well as any in the store.  What you’ll need is: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, boil the water, add sugar and stir, let cool before adding to feeder to avoid any melting of plastic or burning hummingbirds little mouths.  Hummingbirds are just one type of bird that will change your lawn & garden for the better.  Just think of all the other birds you can attract by providing a variety of bird feeders and even bird baths. 

 And last but certainly not least, here is something to ponder.  As we provide bird feeders to our avian friends, more baby birds will have a better chance of surviving.  This means that more birds will be around to eat insects that we most commonly try to rid of in our outdoor space using chemical-based insect repellants.  The fewer chemicals we have in our environment, the healthier it will be for all of us living on this earth.  What a great impact bird feeders can have on our environment.  

 As mentioned above, the benefits of incorporating bird houses and bird feeders in your lawn & garden are favorable for both birds and humans.  What bird does not like a place made for them to comfortably eat, drink, sleep and bath?  Your outdoor space can provide just that.  As for us humans we get to sit back, relax and enjoy bird watching in our own yards.  The entertainment birds can provide will make a great outdoor living space for you & your guests.  As for the earth we all share, our environment can benefit greatly from the use of bird feeders in our outdoor space! 

Birds like their nests at a height and you don’t have to worry if you don’t have a tree. The bird houses should be made at a height of six feet from the ground level which helps in attracting more birds. There are some species of birds those prefer a height of maximum twenty feet high from the ground level. By nature these birds are like that only that they prefer making their homes at such an elevation as they feel safer.

An appropriate bird house should be able to provide cover and protection for the birds. The bird houses should be able to protect them in all weather. It should also provide proper exposure to air. During the summer weather the bird houses should be kept shaded as the eggs needs proper temperature to get hatched. The bird houses should have the roofs that overhang at the entrance. The bird houses should be hinge gap from the base so that it could easily get cleaned.

Here are some guidelines before you make a final decision:

First and foremost it is very important to decide which type of birds you want to keep, so that the shape is appropriate. Keeping the openings small will attract small birds.

Ducks, Woodpeckers, and other large birds require bird houses with bigger space.

The material should be made up of wood. The bird houses could also be made by metal but it might be dangerous for the birds as there is a risk of excessive heating in the summers. A bird house is appropriate if it is made up of wood as they coming out or newly born. Making use of paint could also be harmful for the new born as there is a risk of chemical reaction. If you want to use paint or some decorative products then make it sure that it is used at the outside of the bird house.

Introducing the bird houses with green surroundings has a negative impact as the birds you want to attract might not even notice the bird house you have built. The other major reason is the risk of other predators could easily target. Majority of the birds prefer making their bird houses on the trees which are dead. It is also safer from getting attacked by some predator as the attacker won’t get any place to hide.

If you are planning to keep more than one family then make sure that you situate them separately. It is in the nature of some birds that they are very protective about their nests and choose to live in solitude. Preferably it should be kept at such a distance that they are not visible to each other. You should make them as comfortable as possible and the birds should not think unsafe for one moment otherwise they will be forced to desert your bird house.

To make the birds feel good make sure to apply bird baths and shower with seeds of the flowers. In the end make sure that the bird house that you select has a door or an opening so that it is convenient to change the nests. There should be proper arrangement of drainage. Keep in mind the height for hanging the bird house while you are deciding a particular spot as it matters a lot.

For finches place specially designed thistle feeders that hold the small thistle feeds that they love. Other speciality bird feeders include hummingbird feeders to hold nectar, woodpecker feeders and jay feeders. Tube feeders are designed to prevent seeds spilling on the ground and keep the seeds dry. You could also set up a window feeder to see the birds from the comfort of your room.

Always check the food regularly to make sure it is dry and free from mold and clean up around the feeder to deter wasps, ants and other predators. If squirrels are a problem in your garden be sure to purchase a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Provide Fresh Water for the Birds

Wild birds need a source of fresh water for both drinking and bathing. You could provide this with water pans or bird baths. Place water containers at various levels as some birds prefer ground level, others will be attracted to water placed at a higher level. Place any water sources away from bird feeders as birds prefer a quiet place for bathing and preening. Attract the birds to your water source with a water dripper placed in the bird bath or a mister in the trees. The gentle sounds of running water will attract the birds and many birds enjoy a bath below the dripper or in a mister as it simulates raindrops on their feathers.

During the winter months a heated bird bath or one fitted with a de-icer will ensure the water is always at the right temperature and available for the birds.

Provide a Natural Environment

Let a part of your garden grow wild and scatter wild flower seeds through the area to provide a natural environment for the birds. hang bird feeders from trees or posts in this area. This will enhance the sense of security for the birds.

Your bird house must be a safe place for birds to nest and bring up their young. Here are some tips for making your bird house proof from squirrels, yellow jackets, snakes, cats, wasps, ants and other invasive birds.

Perches

There is no need to have any perches in your bird house. The nesting birds do not need them and they only provide a means for predators to gain entrance. many bird houses come with a perch under the entrance hole. Remove it!

Baffles

A bird house mounted on a pole can have baffles fitted to prevent predators from climbing the pole and gaining entrance to the bird house. A metal baffle is preferable as it cannot be chewed. A bird house mounted on a tree can also have baffles attached to the tree trunk.

Metal plates

A metal plate fitted with a small entrance hole can be placed over the original hole on the bird house. This will prevent predators from enlarging the hole to gain entrance.

Entrance Hole

use a bird house with a small entrance hole that is just large enough for the species of bird you wish to attract. A larger hole will allow invading birds to gain entrance and eject the baby birds inside.

Ants Nests

Regularly check around the bird house (and bird feeders if you have them) for ants nests. Deal with them quickly using a method that is not harmful to wild birds.

Metal Poles

For bird houses mounted on metal poles slip a large PVC pipe over the pole before mounting the bird house. This will deter squirrels, snakes and raccoons from climbing up to the bird house. You could also smear vegetable oil on the pipe.

Cats

Fit your cat with a collar with a bell to prevent her sneaking up on the birds.

There’s nothing more wonderful that getting back to nature, even in small doses.  You can’t help feeling better and getting a better outlook on life, even in the worst of times, if you surround yourself with some of the beauty of nature.  All you have to do is take the time to look.  Most us hurry through our busy days without taking the time to “Smell The Roses.”

Some of the most beautiful creatures in nature are birds.  They come in such beautiful colors and are so interesting to watch.  By putting bird feeders, bird baths, and bird houses in your yard you will have constant access to these beautiful specimens of nature.  If you have a garden with lots of colorful flowers birds will love you.  These flowers provide them with food and shelter.  If you provide them with some extra food and shelter, your garden will truly be a place they will return to year after year.  Your yard could become their permanent year round home.

Birds are always attracted to water, they especially love moving water, such as water features. They will also flock to non-moving sources such as birdbaths.  They will really love your yard if you add some of these features, and you’ll be glad you did.  Birds are scared off by shiny objects, so make sure you use a non-reflective surface.  The yard with a stone or resin birdbath will attract more birds than one that has birdbaths or water features made of metal. Having a combination of moving water and a bird bath is a great way to attract birds. There are some great specialty bird baths that are made to slowly bubble water up in the center of the bath like a fountain.  The water stays in the bath an does not spray out, which could scare the birds, but it moves enough that the birds are attracted to it. Birds will be enticed to drink and play.

Be sure and take the time to watch the birds splashing around in the water, this can be a very enjoyable site indeed.  With all the fun features you have provided for these beautiful little birds they will want to move right in to your garden and become a permanent resident.  By adding birdhouses over time you can provide housing for plenty of birds to move in to stay.  You should see birds of lots of different species and size.  It is always better to have to many birdhouses than not enough to provide a place for all the birds that might want to call your place their home.  If you don’t have enough housing this could cause some territory battles between our fine feathered friends.

Now that you have provided water and plenty of housing for our little friends, the last thing they will need is plenty of food.  You will want to get lots of bird feeders and a variety of food.  Different species of birds like different foods.  By providing these you will be allowing yourself to enjoy all the different colors and sizes of these beautiful little creatures.  This is very important in the winter since they will not have the flowers in your garden to help provide them with food.  With your help they can survive even through the toughest months.  By nature, birds tend to come back to to the same areas every year.  With all of your love and care you will see the same birds year after year, plus many new ones will want to call your place home.

You will find that it is much better to put all your birdbath, feeders, and houses in the same area with your flowers, so the birds will stay in one section of your yard.  By doing this you won’t have to clean up your entire yard, deck, or patio.  Birds eating can make quite a mess of bird droppings.  Make sure you put you bird community in an area where you can watch them easily from your windows.  They will give you years of enjoyment.

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Types of Bird Houses

The type of bird house you will use depends on the type of bird or birds that you want to attract to your home.  Bird houses come in many shapes, sizes, colors and materials.  One of the best types of bird houses is the wooden one.  There are several reasons to choose this type of bird house.  Wooden bird houses can breath for ventilation, are durable and have a good insulation quality to them.  Gourds are another good material for bird houses.  They are functional, breathable, and pretty as well.  Properly designed pottery, concrete, and plastic houses will breathe and are also durable. When choosing the bird house that you will use for your feathered friends always check for proper ventilation, drainage, and easy access for maintenance and monitoring.  When considering the type of bird house that you want another thing to think about are safety and maintenance.

Safety and Proper Maintenance

Items to consider once you have chosen the type of bird house that you want are ventilation, drainage, ease of access for maintenance and protection from predators.  You should also make sure that no harmful chemicals where used on the materials used for the building of your bird house.  You would not want your new friends to become sick.  Part of proper maintenance of your new bird house is to check them for unwanted critters, such as fleas, wasp, or flies.  Sometimes mice and others will want to take up residence in your bird house. The main thing to remember if this happens is to remove them.  If insects are the problem, use only pesticides that are not harmful to your feathered friends.  “If wasps are a problem, coat the inside top of the box with bar soap” (US Fish & Wildlife Service “Homes for Birds”).  One of the problems that you may encounter while cleaning the nest and parasites or insects are present, baby birds may also be present.  If one of the baby birds gets out of the nest you can pick it up and put it back where it was.  Birds have a lousy sense of smell and they will not reject the babies because you helped them. 

Don’t let the care and safety be a deterrent in deciding whether you want a bird house or not.  The upkeep and maintenance is part of the joy and can be a wonderful way to learn more about your new birds. You will quickly become a backyard birder with your new bird house or houses. The joy of watching beautiful bird is an immeasurable pleasure.