When putting up a birdhouse, one of the most important considerations is which direction it should face. The ideal direction depends on several factors, including your location, the species of birds you want to attract, and the amount of shade and protection from the elements that you want to provide.
The Importance of Birdhouse Direction
Facing a birdhouse in the optimal direction serves several purposes:
- It protects the interior of the birdhouse from prevailing winds and rain.
- It regulates the temperature inside the birdhouse by limiting sun exposure.
- It deters predators by orienting the entrance away from likely approaches.
- It makes it easier for birds to access the entrance as they fly to and from their feeding areas.
Birds have an innate sense of direction and will readily accept or reject a birdhouse based on its orientation. If your birdhouse doesn’t face an appropriate direction, it may sit vacant even during nesting season.
General Direction Recommendations
As a very general guideline, most experts recommend the following directions:
- In temperate northern climates, face the entrance south or southeast to catch the morning sun.
- In hot southern climates, face the entrance north or northeast to avoid afternoon heat.
- On exposed, windy sites, face the entrance east toward the woods or the side of a building for protection.
Facing the entrance south to southeast is suitable for most regions, as it provides the right balance of sun exposure, shelter from wind and rain, and visibility for the birds entering and leaving the birdhouse.
Direction Recommendations by Region
More specific direction recommendations based on your region include:
Northeastern States
Face the entrance south or southeast. The south-facing entrance catches the morning sun to warm the interior but avoids overheating. Southeast can provide a bit more protection from wind and rain.
Southeastern States
Face the entrance north or northeast. This prevents excess heat inside the box on hot southern days. Aim for shadier spots under or near trees.
Midwestern States
Face the entrance southeast or east. Southeast allows morning sun while preventing overheating. East provides protection from prevailing west/northwest winds.
Western States
Face the entrance east or southeast. This shields the interior from hot western sun while still allowing some morning sun exposure.
Southwestern States
Face the entrance north or northeast. This completely avoids the intense heat from southern and western sun.
Northwestern States
Face the entrance south or southeast. This lets in sunlight to keep the interior warm in the cooler northern regions.
Direction Recommendations by Bird Species
The ideal direction also depends on the bird species you are trying to attract:
Bluebirds
Face bluebird houses east or southeast. Bluebirds prefer minimized sun exposure.
Chickadees
Face chickadee nest boxes north or northwest. Chickadees like cooler, shadier spots.
Woodpeckers
Face woodpecker nest boxes south or southeast. Woodpeckers prefer warmer orientations.
Wrens
Face wren houses south or east. This provides warmth while deterring house sparrow competitors that prefer west facing.
Swallows
Face swallow nests west or southwest. Swallows like open, sunny orientations.
Ducks
Face duck boxes north or east over water. This provides protection from prevailing winds.
Other Direction Tips
Some other tips for birdhouse direction include:
- Mount nest boxes on the east sides of trees or buildings whenever possible.
- Avoid facing the entrance towards frequently traveled pathways or high predator traffic areas.
- Make sure the entrance does not point into the direction of prevailing winds or storms.
- Adjust direction for heavily shaded or sunny locations to regulate temperature.
Using Multiple Birdhouses
If setting up several birdhouses in one area, vary the directions to provide options for different species. For example:
- Face one house southwest for swallows and another southeast for chickadees.
- Angle one box north for wrens and another east for bluebirds.
Mixing up directions can help you attract a greater variety of birds to your backyard.
Modifying Existing Birdhouses
If you already have up birdhouses in less than optimal directions, try the following modifications before taking them down:
- Add a shade canopy over houses with too much sun exposure.
- Partially wrap the house with insulation for ones getting too cold.
- Install a predator guard to narrow the entrance of houses facing unsafe directions.
- Clear vegetation to open the view for blocked entrances.
Simple adjustments like these can sometimes salvage an existing birdhouse with poor orientation.
Using Direction to Manage Birds
Finally, you can use clever direction strategies to manage birds and prevent certain unwanted species from taking up residence:
- Face entrances toward openings or ponds to deter wrens.
- Point flycatchers boxes toward forest edges where they hunt.
- Make starling and house sparrow boxes conspicuous to encourage them elsewhere.
Think carefully about direction when trying to attract your preferred species while discouraging pest birds.
Conclusion
The optimal birdhouse direction depends on many factors, but facing the entrance south or southeast works well in most regions. Make adjustments to regulate temperature or deter certain species as needed. Proper orientation provides many benefits and is key to attracting birds to use your birdhouses.