Last but not least, multiple entrances improve ventilation. Such chicks are notorious for blocking entryways so they can be fed first, or simply to prevent the other members of their brood from venturing outside the nest.
Multiple birdhouse entrance holes is also an ingenious way to combat domineering chicks. With a single hole, the other adult birds could be forced to waste time and energy flying around the nest until the feeding session ends and the hole is available for use. Note that birds typically perch on the entryways to their nests while feeding their young. Many holes also allow more than one adult bird to feed the hatchlings at the same time. That allows the nesting birds to make a quick escape through one hole as soon as they spot danger on the other entryway.īut safety isn’t the only reason to consider adding more entryways to your birdhouse. Ideally, the holes should be located on opposite ends of the nest. So, when designing a birdhouse, it’s important to consider having more than one hole. That’s because they’re always in danger of being preyed upon by other animals, such as snakes, squirrels, bobcats, and weasels. Even birds of prey considered to be high up on the food chain, such as owls, eagles, and falcons, may still feel frightened nesting in houses with single entryways. Like all animals, birds feel safer nesting in houses with clear escape routes. After all, birds typically don’t require emergency exits, right? It’s intuitive to build just one entrance hole for your birdhouse.
How about you start off with, say, a 2-inch hole size? How Many Holes Should You Go For? Similarly, building a 6-inch birdhouse entrance wouldn’t be ideal for smaller birds that might feel insecure nesting in houses with such huge entryways. It would be quite disappointing to build a 1 ¼ entryway, only to find out that owls are the most common birds nesting in that area. When designing a birdhouse with no specific birds in mind, the conventional wisdom is to go for medium-sized holes. It could happen that you’ve recently moved into a new home or location and are yet to find out the kinds of birds that nest around that area. Related: How Do I Get Rid of Earwigs? Your Easy Guide to a Bug-Free Home What If You’re Unsure About the Birds to Attract? The following are some birdhouse entryway diameters recommended for common cavity nesting birds: That’s especially true if you’re trying to attract wild birds. So, although we’ve already mentioned it, it warrants repeating that a birdhouse entryway should be designed with the needs of specific bird species in mind. Species like purple martins are more comfortable with crescent-shaped holes. They also prefer those nests to have certain designs.įor instance, barn swallows and robins prefer open-sided homes. Other birds are not only specific about the diameter of their nest entrance holes. An inch too small or too large may be an instant turnoff. These birds prefer their nest entryways to be small enough to deter predatory birds or other animals that could be out to kill their hatchlings, and large enough to allow for seamless entry and exit into the nest. In fact, nesting birds like chickadees, swallows, bluebirds, and wrens tend to be more particular about their house entrance holes. But as you shall find, the right birdhouse entrance hole largely depends on the specific bird species you’re building the house for. Many wild birds prefer their birdhouse or nestbox entrance holes to range between 1 inch and 2 inches in diameter.
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How to Settle On the Right Birdhouse Hole Size Of course, there are other important factors to bear in mind as well.īut how do you determine the right birdhouse entrance? That question shall be the focus of this post. So, when designing a birdhouse, it’s imperative to pay keen attention to the nest’s entrance. In the process of forcing themselves in or out of the nest, the birds could damage their feathers. Similarly, a tiny birdhouse entrance could make it difficult for larger birds to enter or exit the nest. If you go for an overly large entrance, you may find the birdhouse attracting all manner of birds, including undesirable species like birds of prey.
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No matter how appealing the nest may be, incorrect hole size is an instant turn-off to most birds.īirdhouse diameter is also a crucial security feature, much like the regular doors and windows in our homes. The diameter of your birdhouse entrance determines which birds can fit into the hole and use the house comfortably. One key consideration when building a birdhouse or nestbox is the size of the entrance, also known as birdhouse hole.
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