Bird houses provide shelter and nesting sites for birds. Installing bird houses in your yard or garden can be highly beneficial for local bird populations and ecosystems. Here are 3 key benefits of having a bird house:
1. Bird houses help bird conservation
Providing nesting boxes helps support native bird species, including species that are declining. Many bird populations face threats like habitat loss, climate change, and reductions in food sources and nesting sites. Installing bird houses gives birds a safe place to lay eggs and raise young. This aids in bird conservation and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Bird houses are particularly helpful for cavity nesting species like chickadees, nuthatches, bluebirds, swallows, and woodpeckers. These species nest in the cavities of trees, but suitable natural sites are diminishing due to deforestation and removal of dead trees. Putting up nest boxes provides an alternative cavity site for breeding.
Studies show properly-located nest boxes can significantly benefit bird reproduction and survival rates. For example, one study found that Eastern bluebird clutches in nest boxes had higher fledging success compared to natural cavities. Another study found mountain chickadee populations increased following the addition of nest boxes.
Key facts on how bird houses help bird conservation:
- Provides nesting sites for cavity nesters like chickadees, bluebirds, and swallows
- Can increase reproductive rates and survival in multiple species
- Supplements declining natural nesting sites
- Allows you to help manage populations of specific species on your property
2. Bird houses control insects
Birds that use bird houses are very helpful for controlling backyard insects. Common birds attracted to nest boxes like chickadees, nuthatches, bluebirds, and swallows are all voracious insect eaters.
Chickadees and nuthatches regularly feed on common pests like aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and ants. Swallows and bluebirds help control flying insects like mosquitoes, gnats, flies and winged termites. Having more of these birds around means free natural pest control!
Studies have quantified the remarkable impact insect-eating birds can have:
- A pair of chickadees can remove up to 9000 caterpillars from trees in a single breeding season (Cornell Lab).
- House wrens can feed 500 spiders and caterpillars to their young per day (All About Birds).
- Tree swallows catch thousands of flying insects daily. Estimates suggest swallows reduce local mosquito populations by up to 80% (BC Environmental Farm Plan).
By attracting more insect-eating birds, your yard or garden will have reduced pest pressure. Lower insect numbers improve plant and garden health. Less bugs also means less need for chemical pesticides. Bird houses provide free natural insect control.
Key facts on how bird houses help control insects:
- Chickadees, nuthatches, bluebirds and swallows are voracious insect eaters
- These birds can remove thousands of pests per day
- Lower insect populations reduce damage to plants
- Less need for chemical pesticide use
3. Bird houses provide enjoyment
Having bird houses in your outdoor space provides endless entertainment. Watching birds use the nest boxes is interesting and enjoyable for many people.
You can observe behaviors like:
- Courtship displays as birds select mates
- Nest building using mosses, grasses and feathers
- Feeding of chicks by busy parent birds
- Fledglings poking their heads out of the entrance hole
Spotting returning birds in the spring and watching the breeding season unfold is an engaging learning experience, especially for children. It connects you to nature and gives a window into avian ecology and behavior.
Hearing bird sounds around your home also livens up the space and creates a pleasant backdrop. The songs of cardinals, finches and sparrows become more common. Inside the houses you may hear chicks eagerly calling for food.
Observing activity at nest boxes is both relaxing and intellectually stimulating. Additionally, studies show that exposure to birds positively affects human mental health:
- Listening to birdsong decreases stress and anxiety (King and Davis University).
- Viewing birds improves emotional well-being (University of Exeter).
- Hearing birds may help relieve depression and fatigue (Mind).
The sights and sounds of nesting birds will brighten your day while providing endless entertainment.
Key facts on how bird houses provide enjoyment:
- Watching birds use the houses is engaging and educational
- Bird songs create a lively natural soundtrack
- Boosts relaxation, learning, and mental wellbeing
- Provides habitat for beautiful songbirds like bluebirds
Tips for attracting birds to nest boxes
To fully gain the benefits of bird houses, follow these tips for attracting birds:
- Use boxes designed for your target species (size of entrance hole is important)
- Face the entrance away from prevailing winds and direct sun
- Place boxes at proper heights – bluebird boxes at 5-6 ft, chickadee boxes at 4-6 ft, etc.
- Space boxes at least 100 ft apart to minimize competition
- Clean boxes out annually after the breeding season
- Provide habitat elements like native plants, berries, water and brush piles
Proper placement and maintenance will allow your bird houses to be optimally utilized by birds.
Common backyard birds attracted to nest boxes
Here are some of the top species that use bird houses in North American yards:
Species | Food source | Nesting habits |
---|---|---|
Eastern bluebird | Insects | Cavity nester, will readily use nest boxes |
Tree swallow | Flying insects | Cavity nester, prefers boxes close to water |
Black-capped chickadee | Insects, seeds | Cavity nester, small hole entrance preferred |
Tufted titmouse | Insects, seeds | Cavity nester, natural cavities or nest boxes |
House wren | Insects, spiders | Opportunistic cavity nester, will use any box |
Carolina wren | Insects | Cavity nester, prefers more enclosed boxes |
American kestrel | Small mammals, insects | Cavity nester, prefers open fronted boxes on poles |
There are many other birds that will potentially use your nest boxes, from woodpeckers to owls to flycatchers. Even mammals like squirrels or raccoons may den inside. Observe what species are drawn to your bird houses over time.
Conclusion
Installing bird houses provides shelter for breeding birds, allowing you to help enhance local bird populations. Bird houses also give free insect pest control, as they attract bug-eating species who will relish backyard insects. Lastly, observing the bird houses frequently delights people, creating an engaging nature experience right outside your door. For these reasons, placing bird houses in your yard or garden is an excellent idea. Follow proper bird house placement guidelines to start reaping the benefits today.