![]() ![]() The bluebird diet consists mostly of insects in spring and summer. whether hanging, dish or staked feeder, once discovered, other species will devour the tasty treat in no time flat! If you've got mountain bluebirds, most fly-in feeders are available with slightly larger entrance.įor some reason, most birds will not enter a feeder, but blues will and Carolina wrens are usually the first to figure it out! This traditional style bluebird feeder is ideal for offering worms, though they may also be fed on a platform or in a dish feeder. Designed with either a wire cage or plexi-glass windows with entry and exits, the holes are sized the same as a bluebird birdhouse entrance. Small backyards with shrubs and vines can use platforms to attract birds that would otherwise not nest unless they had a large open branch on a tree.Bluebirds are one of few species who will fly-in a mealworm feeder for worms. Platform nesters prefer all four sides open with the platform mounted near the ground in a semi-covered area. Mourning doves, barn swallows and eastern phoebes are all attracted to nesting shelves.Ĭatbirds and cardinals are two species of birds classified as platform nesters. Placing these birdhouses under overhangs and eves on sheds or your house will give these open-nesters more protection in extreme weather. Many birds will not use an enclosed birdhouse but can be attracted through the use of nesting shelves which have a roof, back, bottom and narrow side walls. ![]() One of the distinguishing features of the Peterson Eastern Bluebird birdhouse is its large roof overhang (as seen to the left). Larger roof overhangs will also allow less moisture to enter the birdhouse. Larger overhangs are optimal as the entrance hole size increases. The roof should extend at least one inch from the birdhouse body. Tin and asphalt shingle roofs should be avoided as they heat up greatly in the summer sun. Negative effects from wind and sun can also be decreased with a proper roof overhang. The roof should overhang the front of the birdhouse to limit the amount of rain that makes its way into the entrance hole. Peterson Bluebird Birdhouse with large roof overhang and ventilation holes If this is the case, mesh or grooves should be created on this interior surface to allow the birds to climb out. The entrance hole should not be too high as this can prevent young birds from leaving the nest when they are mature. The box should be deep enough so that there are several inches of space between the bottom plate and the entrance hole, making it more difficult for any predator to reach in and harm the young. If the volume can be kept under 900 cm 3 for smaller songbird species, red squirrels and chipmunks will not be interested in attempting to gain access to the birdhouse with the purpose of a creating shelter. The interior volume should only be large enough to accommodate the desired bird species. A larger interior volume will also entice unwanted guests such as red squirrels and chipmunks to chew at the entrance hole to make it large enough to fit inside. Interior dimensions too large for a particular bird species may cause it to spend a larger than normal amount of time finding extra nesting material. If the birdhouse is small and restricted it can wear away adult's feathers. The interior volume should be large enough to accommodate the movement of adult birds as they bring food for their young. ![]() Red squirrel inside a birdhouse with a 1½" entrance hole Red squirrels, as seen in the picture to the right, can fit through a 1½" hole, but not a 1 1⁄ 8" entrance hole.Īdditional information can be found on the Birdhouse Feature page ![]() Using a 1 1⁄ 8" entrance hole keeps unfavourable species from using the entrance due to their larger body size. If you want to attract smaller songbirds, a 1½" diameter is a common size of entrance hole however, it is an advantageous to use a smaller size if you are planning to attract chickadees and wrens specifically. The entrance hole should be large enough to admit the bird, but not so large as to admit unwanted species. Since construction and woodworking measurements are still generally in inches, the table below has been completed using imperial inches.īirdhouse Measurements for North American Birds Each column subject is explained in detail below. Refer to the table below for recommended dimensions for attracting specific cavity dwellers. Most birds will prefer houses that have one compartment with a single entrance. Birdhouse Species - Birdhouse MeasurementsĪ birdhouse should be built with a particular kind of bird in mind. ![]()
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