Different Styles of Bird Houses

Significance

• Bird houses play an important role in the conservation of birds where very few natural nesting places are found. Different species of birds have different physical and behavioral needs. If you want a specific type of bird to take up residence in your backyard, you'll have to research the habitat that will attract it. You won't attract cardinals with a purple martin bird house, and some birds prefer to eat from feeders and don't like bird houses at all.

Hanging Bird House

• The hanging bird house is one of the most popular styles of bird houses. Using a simple wire and hook, you can hang these houses from any branches that are strong enough to hold the house. Most of these houses are cube-shaped and made out of wood. Some are made out of metal, but these can overheat easily under sunlight. They come in many different styles and designs and you can even design and paint your own. Most are built with a small hole for birds to enter, but few are also constructed with an open front for birds to come and go freely.

Mounted Bird House

• A mounted bird house is ideal if you want to place it against a tree trunk or the side of your house. These houses are very similar to hanging houses, except they will be mounted instead. When you buy the house, you'll get a mounting kit and a set of screws to make your work that much easier. These houses tend to be sturdier than hanging houses and usually withstand any weather condition. They are more likely to have an open front than hanging houses, but many also come with a sliding roof for easy cleaning.

Purple Martin Houses

• Purple martins are the largest swallows in North America, measuring at 20 cm long, and are one of the most popular species of birds flying around backyards across the country. Since they are really small, many of them can fit into one house. Many purple martin houses are designed to look like real homes and come equipped with porches and rails for landing and takeoffs. If you're looking for a purple martin house, it is usual to find one that can house a dozen purple martin families at the same time. They are often made of quality wood and come with a slide-off roof or hinged doors for easy cleaning.

Bluebird Houses

• Bluebird houses are very similar to purple martin houses. They can either be hung or mounted and come in many different shapes and designs. It's not unusual to find a Cape Cod, Victorian or Honeymoon Cottage when shopping for bluebird houses. The difference between these and purple martin houses is that most bluebird houses are designed to house only one family. Instead of having several openings and separated rooms, the bluebird house has one tiny opening and one room. The room is big enough for bluebirds to get in and out of easily, but small enough to keep the larger birds away. Most houses come with a removable back wall, drainage and adequate ventilation.

Feeders

• Some bird species, like hummingbirds, don't really like to go inside of a bird house. If you want to see some hummingbirds in your backyard, it is best to buy a bird feeder. A bird feeder is an open construction that birds can simply land on, eat and leave. Some birds won't even land on the feeder, but just fly in midair while they eat a meal. Picture a shallow bowl evenly hung from a tree branch. These feeders can either be hung, mounted or stood up. And they come in designs as simple as a dinner plate or as complex as a miniature White House replica.