New birdhouses, when will the birds move in?
July 26, 2010 Bird House Feeder
I just recently built 3 bird houses and painted them key west style, they are very ornate, colorful, and fairly large. We have an acre in the backyard so I was wondering if hanging these will attract more birds, and if so, when will they move in? We are anxious to find out and hoping they don’t just look for a place to nest when they are ready to have eggs. Any input is welcome. Thanks!
it is a 2 inch hole (maybe 2 and a quarter) the houses are approximately 8×6 inches inside and approximately 8 inches tall, we live in north florida, just about 10 miles south of georgia and about 40 minutes north of jacksonville… we still get seasons here but maybe more birds when it gets colder up north? originally from long island, ny, last week will be our one year anniversary living here – - still trying to understand the local animals, lots of gopher turtles, lizards of all breeds, crocs, and birds (and people! ha ha)
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Comments (4)
Hummingbirds are fun, entertaining, full of energy and it’s easy to attract hummingbirds.
If birds do move in, it will be in the early spring. Mating season is over for the northern hemisphere (I assume that is where you are). Most birds are preparing to migrate for the winter.
Be sure that the bird house is located in an appealing location for the type of bird you hope to attract.
The different bird types are particular about the dimensions of interior and the size of the entry hole. Without any more information, I suggest you do further research on the native species for your area and their basic nesting requirements.
[Support your local birds!]
It just depends.. I had a bird house up for almost 3 years before a family of birds moved in. Make sure the birdhouse is stable and doesn’t sway too much in the wind… if it sways the less chance you’ll have of a bird choosing to move into it (from my experience). Also be sure to clean it out after one family of birds has moved out because you’ll have no idea at the amount of stuff you’ll have to clean out of it before another family moves in or the old birds decide to move back in.
They will move in faster if it was completely furnished.
You did not say where you are or what size the bird house is so it would be really hard to answer your question.
Birds are funny in that as soon as you think you know the rules the birds break them!
I don’t understand what you mean by "We are anxious to find out and hoping they don’t just look for a place to nest when they are ready to have eggs."
There are two reason birds use bird houses. One is for shelter and protection for the eggs, and the other reason is for roosting, usually in very cold weather.
Once the eggs are hatched the birds abandon the nest until they are ready to lay more eggs.
As for mounting birdhouses there are no fast rules. We have many houses that hand by strings but the birds love them, certain birds that is.
We have found that moving a bird house just a few feet will make a difference if it is being ignored.
Check the Cornell University web site for more information on birds.