Decorative Birdhouses – Welcoming Nature Closer to Home

Unique Birdhouse in Beach Theme

Make your backyard a safe haven for birds to live and play with decorative birdhouses. Attracting birds can be an enjoyable experience leading to the feeling of being just a step away from the tranquility that comes from nature. As the alarm clock sounds, or the first cup of coffee gets poured, imagine the sound of birds lightly singing just outside. While sitting and having a family meal or washing dishes in front of the window, imagine glancing up and seeing a colorful bird perched on the birdhouse. Keep the yard looking fresh for springtime and summer barbecues with decorative birdhouses hanging on trees or brightening up a dull corner. Use decorative birdhouses to transform the yard into a beautiful bird garden design.

Wooden Nesting Boxes Encourage Bird Returns in Spring

Wooden Nesting Boxes

Valentines Day kicks off National Nest Box Week, a 7-day period in which environmentalists and recreational birders alike encourage the public to put out wooden nesting boxes for the returning birds. The goal of the week is to promote conservation of breeding birds, allowing them safe haven as they return from their winter flight. If looking to have a garden full of birds this spring, make sure to put out wooden nesting boxes.

What is National Nest Box Week?

Owl Wooden Nesting Box

National Nest Box Week is sponsored by the British Trust for Ornithology, though they encourage nesting boxes for all birds across multiple continents. The BTO studies and preserves garden birds and has been doing so for a decade. They advocate coexistence between species, offering information for the protection of local wildlife and encouraging layman participation.

What is a Wooden Nesting Box?

Wooden birdhouses are most used as nesting boxes. The perfect nesting box is large enough for the bird to build a nest at the bottom but small enough to offer safety. The hole of the nesting box must be approximate to the size of the bird living in it. For instance, a wood duck nest box would have a larger entrance than a chickadee nest box.

These wooden nesting boxes are then placed anywhere from 3' to 16' in the air away from predators to allow for the birds' safety. The BTO recommends placing these nesting boxes away from cluttered areas, giving the birds a straight and safe flight path to and from their nests.

Why Offer Wooden Nesting Boxes?

Bluebird Returns for Spring

Because of deforestation and the removal of old homes, birds must look harder for shelter for their nests. Offering the birds a wooden nesting box stimulates their population and gives them an edge when returning. It also fosters bird visits in your garden as they raise their young, filling your garden with families of birds in the spring.

What Birds Use Wooden Nesting Boxes?

Several types of birds use wooden nesting boxes such as:

• Blue tits
• Sparrows
• Owls
• Robins

Any bird that leaves for the winter will need a wooden nesting box upon its return. To be best prepared, find out what birds are in your local area and prepare a nesting box for them.

Wooden Nesting Boxes Help the Environment

Wooden nesting boxes are important to the environment as they shelter birds from the still dangerous elements and foster bird re-population. Whether making or buying wooden nesting boxes, make sure you participate in National Nest Box Week.

Read more on birdhouses and their importance:

• Birdhouses Protect Birds from Coming Winter
• My Neighbors Share the Joys of Being a Birdhouse Owner
• How Decorative Bird Houses Make Wonderful Garden Art

Birdhouses Protect Birds from Coming Winter

Birdhouse in Snow

Winter is Coming

When winter comes, we expect the birds to go South for the warmth and comfort of the summer. Some birds, however, do not migrate, but are instead year round visitors. Birds that tend to linger even during the winter include woodpeckers, owls, the northern cardinal, the tufted titmouse, the bluejay, the chickadee, the white-breasted nuthatch, the Carolina wren, and some doves.

Because these birds never leave, they must store up food and fat for the winter and work harder to survive. There are several things you can do help the birds during this tough time.

Bird in the Winter

Birdhouses Can Protect Birds from the Elements

While it is tough for birds to survive in the winter without migrating, it is possible. Birds need shelter and birdhouses can offer the shelter that they so desperately require. While their feathers do keep them warm, they've also stored up fat for the winter. Some birds shiver to raise their body temperature, but oftentimes this isn't enough to keep them fully warm. The birdhouses do that for them, allowing them a place to roost at the coldest times with other birds.

Make sure that the birdhouse you choose is large enough for the type of birds that you have in your area. Some birds need large houses while others need smaller, cozier homes. If you want your yard to stay active in the winter, the best thing you could do for your bird friends is to provide them with appropriate shelter as well as other necessities for the winter.

Large Birdhouse

Other Things that Help Winter Birds

Offer good food filled with high fat content such as seeds, suet, and scraps. Make sure to keep the feeders full so that the birds do not go hungry through the cold nights as they may need the food to raise their body temperatures.

Offer liquid water for the birds to drink as it helps them to hydrate and replenish themselves. Even frozen water is better than none. Every creature needs water to survive, and birds are no exception.

Enjoy Your Winter Friends

If you follow these easy steps then your yard birds will have an enjoyable winter. Take good care of your feathered friends and they'll reward you with glimpses of their gorgeous winter feathers.

Bird House Giveaway at Yard Envy

Spring is here - at least here in Georgia - and to celebrate the beginning of the season, Yard Envy has announced a bird house giveaway. The giveaway is actually a contest, but the winner is a bird house. Yard Envy is seeking to find the Most Popular Bird House of 2011. Among the six best selling bird houses competing for the title are the Clubhouse Birdhouse, the Copper Songbird, Cape Cod Cottage, Hobbitt House, Country Church and Victorian Manor.

Yard Envy felt it was fitting to tie the giveaway in with the 2011 Masters, since one of the houses that is eligible for the giveaway is the Clubhouse - an architectural replica of the Southern plantation style clubhouse at the Augusta National Golf Club.

How will the giveaway work? Simply visit Yard Envy and vote whichever of the six best selling bird houses you most want to win. The bird house contest ends the day of the 2011 masters, and whichever bird house received the most votes is the winning bird house, and will be sent to one of the lucky voters.

Be sure to sign up to receive notice on weekly specials posted on the Yard Envy company page on Facebook as well. Each week a new weekly special will be announced, so don't miss out!

Don't forget to cast your vote and sign up for a chance to receive a free bird house from Yard Envy. Here is a brief look at a few of the best selling bird houses you will be voting for:

Clubhouse Birdhouse

Victorian Manor Bird House

Country Wildwood Church Bird House

Using Decorative Bird Houses to Influence Negligent Neighbors

Bird houses and I have always been on good terms. I look at them and smile, thinking of all the cute birds that can find a new home, returning year after year. Bird houses appreciate the maintenance I provide - the free maid service. In return for my dedication, bird houses gift me with rustic appreciation, getting weathered and more charming with each season.

My neighbor, however, does not appear to be on as good of terms with his bird house. It is attached to a wooden fence, a nail is falling out of its sideboard, and it looks to be a good year behind in cleaning. While I desperately want to jump the fence, reattach the walls, clean out the old leaves, and quickly exit their yard, I feel that might be considered borderline behavior. So instead I sit and watch, imagining all the new bird houses I could erect to try and spark interest in a once-doting landlord.

I am a fan of rustic, recycled, and natural bird houses. I love a red door, or a cabin look, but I feel for my neighbor, I need to step up the decorative look. I am considering between the following:

Victorian Cottage Bird House

Sleepy Hollow Bird House

Kottage Kabin Bird House

The Kottage Kabin in red is the bird house I am leaning towards. I want to catch my neighbor's attention, so I think the red will be perfect.

He has a stranded Purple Martin house that has been up all year, far too low to the ground and close to the trees, but I am not even going to start on that one... If it is still up after my decorative bird house attempts, I may have to get to know my neighbor and offer a few landlord tips on bird houses.

Purple Martin Bird Houses Open for Season

Purple Martin Bird Houses

Purple Martin bird houses are essential for the survival of the Purple Martins. Purple Martins rely almost completely on man's support for housing, and once martins establish a residency, they return every year. The annual return of the Purple Martin is an exciting and much anticipated event, and martin owners need to clean out and prepare their houses in advance.

Purple Martins return to their homes in the United States starting as early as mid-January for Florida residents, and continue to arrive through May in northern states. March is often considered the month martins return for the majority of the states, and they will return looking for their previous home.

There is a lot of responsibility in being a Purple Martin landlord, but also a lot of reward. Purple Martins need protection from both predators and weather. If a colony is attacked due to predation, martins will typically never return to their home, and will set up residency elsewhere, but martins are more forgiving regarding fatalities due to weather. Measures can be taken to stop predation, as well as to lessen the effects of harsh weather.

Purple Martin House
Safety System Utilized

Predators of the Purple Martin include snakes, owls, raccoons, House Sparrows, and Starlings. Landlords often erect their Purple Martin bird houses and try to form colonies without the proper precautions because these predators are not common to the area. These predators will make themselves known very quickly once Purple Martins become active in your yard, so take the proper measures from the beginning. Purple Martin bird houses should always be placed high in the air, far from tall trees and above any trees that are nearby. Owl guards and baffles make it difficult for owls, raccoons, and snakes to get up the poles and into the compartments. Compartments should also offer numerous rooms so that martins can set up nest in the back of the house, out of reach and sight. Starling resistant holes are exceptionally useful and are much too small for Starlings and Sparrows to get in.

Little can be done with regards to weather, but every effort is helpful. Purple Martins can get wiped out when there are consecutive days of heavy rainfall or extreme hot and cold temperatures. Purple Martin bird houses in northern states are often wooden, and southern states prefer aluminum houses for keeping the interior as cool as possible. Houses should always be white on the outside for this same reason as well, as white reflects the sun. Baby martins will jump from the openings to escape the heat before they know how to fly, and houses painted with white exteriors are often over 10° cooler inside. Hole openings should be dark on the contrary, to allow for martins to easily see access points and to get into the houses quickly and easily, and trim can also be dark. When the weather is very cold or rain is severe and lasting more than a couple days, Purple Martins can be fed a supplemental diet of mealworms or crickets, although not every martin will necessarily accept the meal. Martins will only eat the crickets and mealworms when the weather is inclement and they can't get their own food. Some people like to fling crickets in the air with a spoon to catch the attention of the martins and allow the martins to still catch their food mid-air.

Purple Martin bird houses come in many designs, although they typically all have the same features and are easily recognizable from a distance. Purple Martins love to socialize, so houses are designed with multiple compartments, and good houses also offer porches and perches so the martins can bask in the sun and sing their pretty melodies. Purple Martins are popular for their open beak throaty songs, and they enjoy the hustle and bustle of busy human life. Purple Martin bird houses need to be open and ready when the martins return within the next few months. Make sure winter guards are removed from windows, and nests are emptied and cleaned. Check the houses periodically to ensure other birds are not attempting to nest, and do not relocate your martin house. Your birds may not be able to find the new location, even if the house has only been moved a few feet.

Popular Purple Martin bird houses:

Purple Martin Clubhouse Bird House

Wooden Purple Martin House
with Starling Resistant Openings

Aluminum Purple Martin Bird Houses

It's always fun to look at historical pictures. Below are pictures of the ornate Purple Martin bird houses once crafted by the noteworthy J. Warren Jacobs in the early 1900's. These houses were large and intricate, but quite difficult to maintain and clean.

Purple Martin Bird Houses
Photo taken August 1907 by J. Warren Jacobs
Foreground: Independence Hall, Background: The Capitol

Purple Martin Bird House
Photo taken July 8, 1907 by J. Warren Jacobs
The Library

Purple Martin Bird House
Photo taken April 28, 1909 by J. Warren Jacobs
Independence Hall

Purple Martin Bird House
Photo taken May 1902 by J. Warren Jacobs
Independence Hall

To help with Purple Martin research, visit the Purple Martin Conservation Association for forms to track martin arrival, document colony locations, and to view scout maps. Make the most of your Purple Martin houses by increasing your own personal knowledge of "America's Most Wanted Bird".

Bird Houses Get Feature Review

Bird houses are a popular solution for increasing the aesthetic and curbside appeal of a yard or garden. The October 2009 issue of This Old House featured YardEnvy.com's Red Cape Cod Wren Bird House, as well as a few additional models that can be found at YardEnvy.com. This Old House magazine is dedicated to helping freshen homes inside and out, providing home solutions, tips, DIY projects, and product reviews. Below are some of the bird houses highlighted in the "Architectural Birdhouses" article.

Cape Code Wren Bird House
featured in "This Old House"

Painted Bird Houses
Arts and Crafts Bird House

Victorian Bird Houses

Decorative Birdhouses

Bird houses are available in so many styles and designs, from rustic wooden bird houses to elaborate chateaus. The sweet and gentle sounds of a songbird in the morning and the joy of watching birds communicate and flutter peacefully can ease the stresses caused by a long work week and busy schedule. When spring nears, bird houses are erected quickly, in an effort to attract new birds as well as to continue to provide a home for previous residents.

While it is extremely enjoyable to be a bird landlord, there are a few steps that should be followed to improve your birds habitat. Birds are natural prey to House Sparrows, snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and owls. Position your bird house strategically to offer birds protection from invasion by predators. Try to use posts or poles that will keep bird houses at least 5 feet above the ground, and use a baffle to make climbing the posts difficult. Place the bird house 10 feet or further from trees and buildings to ward off jumping squirrels and raccoons. Bird houses typically offer holes too small for House Sparrows to enter, so as long as you select a bird house with a small opening, invasion by Sparrows will be less of a concern.

Bird houses should not be monitored too closely, but be sure to check on your birds during periods of extreme heat or heavy rains lasting for than just a couple days. White bird houses are suggested in hot climates to reflect the sun's rays, and consider placing a bird feeder close to the bird house if rain is a concern. Birds who feed on insects lose their food supply during continuous rainfall and may need supplemental nutrition.

Birdhouses for Christmas

Medieval Castle Birdhouse

Birdhouses make a great Christmas gift idea for so many types of people. From children to grandparents, birdhouses bring out our nurturing capabilities as we learn to attract, feed, and protect our bird friends. Most decorative birdhouses are suitable for beginner birders as well as seasoned enthusiasts. Holes are typically cut for 1.25" diameter, which is good for small birds like chickadees, but is too small for larger aggressive birds, and hungry squirrels. Fun birdhouse designs include beach houses, castles, cottages, churches, and clubhouses. Decorative birdhouses make great gifts because you can personalize the gift to be designed according to the receivers interests.

This year, try sending a birdhouse to a niece or nephew far away, or to your favorite uncle who already has a dozen birdhouses. Easy to attach to a tree or post, or connect to a post, most basic birdhouses require little maintenance, and you are doing your part to shelter a bird family. All bird houses at YardEnvy.com also include free shipping!

Hobbit House Birdhouse

Recycled Wooden Birdhouse with Vines and Ladybugs

Prairie Birdhouse

Top 10 Christmas Gifts Under $50

Christmas gift season is here, and the malls are packed! Kids are laying all their trust in Santa bringing them the pegasus they have been dreaming of, and families are planning to gather for gift exchanges and holiday dinners. Whether your family is large or small, gift giving just seems harder when you have 4 brothers and 11 nieces and nephews, plus multiple sets of inlaws and grandparents. How to buy for everyone, and what to get?

Brass sundials and armillary sundials sell big during the holidays, as do bird houses and bird feeders. YardEnvy offers numerous Christmas gift possibilities, and below is the Top 10 list of the best Christmas gifts under $50 that can be found at YardEnvy.com. Shipping and lead times were taken into consideration, so all of the items listed below ship quickly, allowing plenty of time for gift-wrapping.

Sun and Moon Aluminum Sundial $35.99
Sundials are great for use in gardens and are timeless classics for any gardener or landscape artist.

Brazilian Style Aruba Hammock XL $49.99
Brazilian hammocks allow people to lay diagonally and vertically, and are a great way to relax and enjoy the days.

Yellow Victorian Cottage Bird House $38.99
This bird house is a best seller every Christmas, and comes in white as well.

Butterfly Bouquet Glass Hummingbird Feeder $47.99
Glass hummingbird feeders are extremely attractive, and bright red feeding ports and glass drops attract hummingbirds.

Squirrel Buster Classic Bird Feeder $43
Birdwatch America Award Winner
Help any avid bird feeder with the gift of a Squirrel Buster Classic bird feeder. This bird feeder was awarded the winner of "Best New Product" by Birdwatch America. Numerous features include a ventilation system and a closing mechanism that blocks squirrel access to feeding ports.

6" Rusted Steel Garden Globe $13.99
Revel in the mystical history of gazing globes, and give the gift of wealth this year.

Parachute Traveller Camping Hammock $25.95
Great gift for avid campers and hikers. Camping hammocks are light for easy travel and carry, and open easily.

Mini Bat House $31.95
Give the gift of education with this solidly constructed wooden bat house, proudly Made in the USA

Casita Bird House $42.99
Adorable decorated Casita Bird house. Great gift for the girl or woman in your life, and painted and colorful for lively flair.

Collegiate Kinetic Wind Spinners $25.99
Sports fanatics love NFL and college products, and these officially licensed kinetic wind spinners have team logos and colors. Go, team!

Bird Houses at Yard Envy

Bird houses at YardEnvy.com are often considered a bird's delight. While Yard Envy does offer both rustic and recycled bird houses, there is also a huge selection of painted and historical bird houses. Bird lovers can choose from San Francisco Victorian bird houses, cottages, mansions, beach houses, and churches.

Not every house is for every bird. YardEnvy.com provides houses designed specifically for purple martins, wrens, finches, and all sizes of birds. With great resources available to assist in bird identification and education, as well as designs for bird gardens, Yard Envy proves that birds are a serious matter.