A bird house can be a thing of pleasure especially if you make it on your own. Making your own bird house design is pretty easy. There are just a few things that you need to remember and to consider when you wish to try to make your very own bird house design.

Things To Consider

In making your own bird house design, you need to consider what kinds of birds you have in the neighborhood that you will be putting the bird house in. If you have a lot of bigger birds in your place, you might like to make the bird house in coordination with the sizes of the common birds in the neighborhood. The bird house design should also be suitable for the kinds of nests that the birds usually make. Many birds prefer a bird house that is snug and not too wide.

Other things to consider for your bird house design are the ways to clean it and the ways to hang it. Usually, it is a good idea to regularly clean the bird house especially when it has just been used. This way, there will be less possibilities of disease that will be passed from one bird to another. The bird house design should have a large opening for cleaning that can be accessed from the top. This bird house design will reduce the chances of the chicks jumping out or falling to the ground.

Vents and holes should be provided to let the air circulate as well as to let water drain out effectively in case rain manages to get in. The vents are better off if placed somewhere above the area where the birds might nest while the drains will work best if situated in the bottom of the bird house design you will make. The vents need not be bigger than holes with a diameter of half an inch and the same goes for the drains. Vents can also be in the form of gaps between the roof and the bird house itself.

The bird house design should be for only one house. This is because almost all birds do not like to nest in such close proximity with one another. You might want to get rid of the perch below the entrance hole of your bird house design because this makes it more convenient for predators to access the bird house.

Making your own bird house design is easy. Building one does not even require you to be a professional carpenter. Keep the tips stated above for a better bird house.

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As the days start to get warmer and the weather turns somewhat nicer, it’s always great to get out and about and go shopping for things to brighten up your garden.  There is nothing quite like sitting outside in a shady spot in the summer and soaking up the atmosphere and relaxing with that feeling of simply being close to nature.

One of the nicest things to buy for your garden is a round bird house.  It’s more unusual than the standard square style version, and the birds love it.  You can even make your own if you wish; the hardest part is getting the degree of each piece of wood correct as it sits against the one next to it.

If you think you might like to try making your own round bird house, there are plenty of sites online that provide plans and advice for doing just that.

Why Buy A Round Bird House Instead Of A Square One?

A round bird house is not as common and can really catch the eye if it is designed well.  The roof generally looks rather like a hat, and can be made from wood – just as the round bird house is – or sometimes a piece of shaped metal can be used instead.

You can buy a round bird house in plenty of different colors too.  If you want a natural look, you are best advised to buy one of the following two options – you can either get one which has been stained so that it is weatherproof, although it will still show the natural wood underneath; or you can get one that comes untreated.  This second option gives you far more freedom to finish it off exactly as you want it to look.

For example you may have a shed that you have stained with a green wood stain, and you want the round bird house to look exactly the same as it hangs from the roof.  An unfinished version would be ideal in this case.

Shop Around For The Best Prices And Styles

There are plenty of different sizes of round bird house available – you just need to start looking.  There are various online stores which stock a range of them to consider, and you can also start looking right on your doorstep.  Check out your local garden centers to see if they stock any that you could buy.

Whatever size of round bird house you end up with, the birds are sure to love it.

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Many people love to enjoy nature’s beauty. They can do this through going to the local zoos and aquariums. You can also enjoy nature through activities such as hiking and climbing. There are some people, however, who want enjoy nature right in their backyard. Anyone can do this by installing a bird house. It is a great addition to any backyard or front yard.

Picking Out A Bird House For Your Yard

When picking out a bird house, you should consider the size of your backyard. If it is a larger backyard, you can get a bird house that will hold a lot of seed. If it is a smaller space, a small bird house will work fine.

Another consideration is where you plan to put the bird house. If you want to attach it to an existing tree, a small one will work well. If you want to get a bird house that stands alone in the yard, this is where you can start looking at the larger models.

Once you have picked out the bird house for you, the next thing to think about is the birds you would like to attract. Many stores that sell bird seed will have options of different bird seed mixes. These different choices will attract different types of birds. But the one thing that you must always remember is that you will always attract the local fare of birds. You may want to attract a rare, colorful bird that migrates through. You will, but they will still be competing with birds common to your area, especially the ones that do not migrate in the winter months.

Once your bird house is installed and filled with seed, make sure to observe the birds that come and go. You will be surprised at some of the species you can attract with regular bird seed.

Other Options For You

If you feel that all the standard types of bird houses you can get are all boring or just not the right fit for your yard, you can build your own. You can build a bird house from a set of plans that you can purchase, or you can create your own plans. Some people love to have really simple bird houses, or really elaborate ones. Either way, once the house is done everyone can enjoy the nature and beauty that you will bring close to your home.

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During the summer we are always out in our backyards, enjoying the sunny weather and the warmth that comes with it.  But there is plenty to enjoy in the garden during the colder winter months as well, and if you go about it in the right way you can ensure that even when you are sitting indoors looking out of your back window you can watch the birds flocking to your garden.

One bird which is particularly nice to see around this time of year is the robin.  Always a staple of Christmas cards and similar wintry scenes, there is a good chance they will come to your garden if you provide a robin bird house for them.

If you have never considered building your own robin bird house, try reading through the points below to get an idea of what is involved before you try it for yourself.

Finding The Plans For A Robin Bird House

You might be wondering why a robin bird house is any different from a regular bird house.  In truth, robins like a nice sheltered site to use as their home, so you need to bear this in mind if you want to build a robin bird house for them.

The design itself is fairly simple – it should ideally incorporate a shelf instead of just conforming to the regular design, so the robins will feel safe and encouraged to shelter their young and raise them within sight of your house.

There are plenty of good plans for a robin bird house available for free online, and they will usually give you a comprehensive list of the materials you will need to build it successfully as well.

Where Should You Put It?

This might sound like a strange question but it is actually very important.  Robins will not be encouraged to use your robin bird house if you situate it in the wrong place.  Steer clear of busy and exposed areas of your garden.  Instead, put it somewhere very sheltered and quiet where they can come and make a home without being disturbed.

Ideally of course you will want to put your robin bird house somewhere in full view of your windows as well, so that you can enjoy seeing the activity involved when a robin brings up a young family in your garden.

It’s very easy to build the right kind of house, and once it is in place you will soon be welcoming a new family into your garden.

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For many homeowners who love birds, bird houses and feeders are prominent fixtures in the yard. They are extensive, vibrant pieces of artwork that attract birds and keep them safe. The air is often filled with the sound of happy birds, and inside, the bird watcher smiles, surrounded by guide books and encyclopedias. However, bird houses are not just for the bird enthusiast, and while the primary of any bird house or feeder is to protect and nurture birds, they have other purposes as well.

A mini bird house is the perfect option for a homeowner looking for a little decoration in his or her yard. Smaller than traditional houses or feeders, which often include their own stands and can take up a large amount of the grass, miniature houses and feeders provide protection for a few birds, but do not usually attract huge flocks like their larger counterparts. Still, a few birds will be happy, and may even nest in the area, and for the homeowner, the mini bird house will be a beautiful piece of art for years to come.

Function and Style

As stated above, traditional bird houses, even the smaller ones, are often functional pieces of carpentry that, even if they do not take up the entire yard, take up a particular spot. They rest on their own stands, and while birds will be attracted to the area, and while they may look beautiful, they do not provide much else. A mini bird house, however, is rarely its own entity. Some miniature bird houses hang from trees, bushes or other pre-existing things in the yard. Others can be placed on fountains or in flower boxes, or can even be hung like ornaments from wind chimes. Some are built-in to other lawn ornaments, such as planter boxers. A mini bird house can add practicality to other lawn arts, while also adding art itself.

Like other bird houses, a mini bird house is usually made from wood, but it can be designed from any number of materials. It can also be hand-painted to match the décor of the yard or even the stain of the main house. When it is included as an add-on to other pieces of lawn equipment, it will usually be designed and painted to match that theme. Either way, a mini bird house is the perfect way for a homeowner to add a piece of nature to his or her yard, to help a few birds along the way, even if he or she is not a bird enthusiast. Every yard can benefit from the sound of singing, and miniature bird houses are unique fixtures that will attract much attention.

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Sometimes a standard bird house just won’t do the job.  There may be a specific type of bird you want to attract into your garden that you may not see if you rely on a standard type of house to attract them.

Humming bird house plans are a good example of this.  If you want to attract these birds into your garden you will have to make sure your humming bird house plans are smaller than the average house.

Where Can You Find Good Humming Bird House Plans?

Your local pet store should be able to give you some advice on building them; they may have ready made ones in stock, but if it is humming bird house plans you are after, then the internet is by far the best source.

The best thing about the internet is that you will often see websites put up by individuals, as well as those provided by larger businesses.  Individuals are usually only too happy to provide plenty of photos and advice about how they drew up their humming bird house plans and made them into reality.  They will often tell you how well they have performed since being installed, and whether they would have done anything different as well.

This gives you an excellent opportunity to get some humming bird house plans which will work extremely well when you make the actual product to go in your own garden.

Where Should You Place Them?

These birds like being sheltered in trees, so if you have a big solid tree in your backyard you will be well advised to attach your finished house to its trunk.  The best spot is usually up quite high and tucked into the branches.

The main feature of most humming bird feeders or houses is that the hole which leads into the box itself is very small – much smaller than the average holes seen in other bird boxes.  The reason for this is that you can then enjoy seeing hummingbirds going in and out of the box without other larger birds getting in too and discouraging the hummingbirds from using it.

As you can see, humming bird house plans are easy to get hold of, and it doesn’t take that long to actually make one.  Most people with a reasonable degree of DIY skills should be able to put one together in a couple of hours at most.

All you need to do then is sit back and watch the birds come to your garden.

Tags: Humming Bird House Plans

It is so nice to open your backdoor and see many species of birds flying around and playing in your backyard. Not only are they fun to watch, they are also very educational. You can watch their behaviors and learn a lot about how they live, work, and play. One way to attract more birds to your backyard is through the use of bird houses. It is fun to make your own bird house. However, handmade metal bird houses are not very good for the birds.

Handmade Metal Bird Houses Are Dangerous For Birds

A bird house should never be made of metal. When metal sits out in the sun for long periods of time, it can become very hot. When a bird lands on this hot metal bird house, it could seriously injure the bird or even kill it. A handmade metal bird house is not a good bird house for any bird. Even in the shade, it can still heat up and be very dangerous.

In addition to handmade metal bird houses getting hot, they also contain some very sharp edges. Birds can easily cut themselves or even poke themselves on the edges of a handmade metal bird house. If they are not very careful, the handmade metal bird house could even stab the bird to death. Therefore, a handmade metal bird house is also dangerous for a bird due to its sharp edges.

One should never make a handmade metal bird house because they can get too hot in the sun or they could contain some very sharp edges that could harm the birds. Metal also has the capacity to rust in the rain and snow. Metal bird houses will not last very long because they will eventually become victim to the extreme elements of the weather. Even outdoor metals will eventually tarnish or rust and not be very pretty with the landscape of your backyard.

Wood Versus Metal

When you are building a bird house for your backyard, you should use wood and wood glue to create your bird house. Do not use any type of metal in the bird house. This includes nails. It is better to use wood glue to piece together the wooden bird house. Birds and metal do not mix. Birds of all species can get hurt on the metal that is present in the metal bird houses. Birds need to be happy and safe around their bird houses.

Bird houses make a beautiful addition to any backyard. They also can provide hours of fun as birds come and go from the bird house. However, it is good to remember that a bird house should never be made out of metal. It is best to make your bird house with wood or other materials. But if you want your birds to be truly happy, you should stay away from handmade metal bird houses.

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Finches are small, colorful birds that are fun to have in our backyards. They are usually found in many backyards all around the United States. One can easily attract finches by building them the proper finch bird house. Here are some steps on how to build the perfect bird house.

The Type Of Wood

In order to build a finch bird house, you will need to choose the wood. Do not make your finch bird house from metal or plastic. Finches prefer fine woods such as cedar, fir, redwood or birch. Make sure you get enough wood to create a nice bird house that is about six inches high and six inches long. Do not use treated woods. Just buy the plain, simple wood.

Finches Are Picky Birds

Finches are very picky birds when it comes to their finch bird houses. Most of them do not like enclosed houses. So, when you create your finch bird house, you will want to leave three sides of it open. It is best to use wood adhesives to attach the pieces of wood together. You could also use some waterproof nails to nail the wood together. Make sure the nails are waterproof because rusty nails could be dangerous for the finches.

If you have cypress wood, then you will not have to stain or paint the finch bird house. All other types of wood will need to be painted. When choosing a paint color for a finch bird house, you should pick a nice earth tone color. The finches have bright colors on their feathers, so they do not need extra brightness. Most finches like earth tones.

Once you have created your finch bird house, you will want to place it high on a pole where other predators cannot get to it. Do not put it near a ledge or bush where other predators can jump up to the finch bird house.

Mount the finch bird house on metal poles that have been well greased with petroleum jelly. This will help prevent other creatures from climbing the pole. Finch feeders can also be hung from metal poles that have been greased in a similar fashion.

Be sure to mount your finch bird house high enough off of the ground so predators can’t jump up to reach them. The proper height for mounting a finch feeder is approximately eight feet. Providing a safe shelter for finches will keep them coming back year after year.

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Birdhouses are often used to decorate a home as well as to house some birds. A decorative bird house can actually be just a decoration. Many people who like the country style of decorating may use a decorative bird house for this even if they have no intention of getting birds.

Designs Of A Decorative Bird House

A decorative bird house can be of any design except a functional one. In many cases, these kinds of bird houses which are used to decorate are very lavish and are made from different materials and mediums. There are some decorative bird houses that are mansions made from plaster or plastic while others are made from wood. The consumer will be the one to choose what bird house design to purchase since it will be decorating his home.

There are also some decorative bird house designs that look like candy houses while others mimic items such as a shoe, a canteen or anything under the sun. The key to choosing the right kind of decorative bird house is to initially assess where you will put it.

Most bird houses, whether decorative or functional, are usually placed outdoors but some people also place them indoors. For outdoor bird houses, you can choose any designs you want since there is nothing that you need to complement it with. If you do want to have a decorative bird house that complements your outdoor furniture or terrace or porch, then you need to be careful when choosing the color and theme of the bird house.

You can choose to place the decorative bird house near a bird feeder to catch the attention of birds but you can also just leave it as a decoration. Many of these kinds of bird houses are brightly colored and not hollow at all. If you wish to have the bird house function as a real bird house, make sure that it is hollow enough for birds to go in. Otherwise, the birds will never go in it if it is not for the birds’ use but only for decorative purposes.

Having a decorative bird house positioned outdoors can be interesting because you can see if the birds will use it or not. The key to having the birds use your decorative bird house is to place it near a bird feeder and not to constantly touch or move the bird house. Disturbing the bird house will also disturb any birds who have made it their home.

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The traditional bird house is made out of wood. The problem with wooden bird houses is that the wood can rot, or split, or leak. It’s inevitable that at some point the wooden bird house will need some sort of repairs. One of the things you can do to help save yourself the hassle of maintaining a wooden bird house is to replace the worn out wooden bird house with a new ceramic bird house. The ease and convenience of ceramic bird houses are making them a popular choice amongst bird lovers.

The Advantage Of Ceramic Bird Houses

There are several reasons why people are starting to replace their traditional wooden bird houses with new ceramic bird houses. Part of the reason for the change is that ceramic bird houses are easy to care for. You can clean them by simply spraying them with a hose after your birds have moved out of the home. Ceramic bird houses won’t rot the way that wood does, nor will they leak like some of the wooden ones do.

Bird aficionados love the way ceramic bird houses look. It is possible to purchase a ceramic bird house that is just as charming and whimsical as the wooden novelty bird houses at a fraction of the price. The ceramic bird house will look appealing against your natural landscape.

You can rest assured that the birds who move into your new ceramic bird house will feel warm, cozy, and safe in their new environment.

Caring For Your New Bird House

One of the best things about ceramic is that it isn’t easy to destroy. Generally the only thing that will break your new bird house is if it falls off of its mount and crashes to the ground.

One of the things you will have to check when you are cleaning your bird house is to make sure it doesn’t have any chips. If you find a chip in the ceramic make sure that the chip doesn’t have any sharp edges that can hurt a nesting bird.

The other thing you may notice is that your new bird house is becoming stained or discolored. If you notice that your bird house seems to be deteriorating rapidly, you will want to report the situation to the bird house manufacturer.

Studies have found that salt is something that causes trouble for ceramic. Absorbing the salt causes the ceramic to expand and shrink. If this expansion and shrinking continues your ceramic bird house could develop cracks.

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