Sanctuary Life

Five amazing birdhouses for Wildlife

Posted on by Pet Samaritans
Birdhouse Designs

We’d like to share with you some inspiration for making a birdhouse for your garden. A birdhouse is a great way to support wild birds and it can be a fun project for any wildlife enthusiast. From whimsical creations to modern day minimalism. Some of these designs show the passion of their creators for our feathered friends.

Lord of the rings birdhouse
This amazing little house would be at home in middle earth.
birdhouse in denmark
Thomas Winther created this vibrant collection of birdhouses known as ‘Trash Tree’ in Copenhagen using recycled materials.
elegant birdhouse design
Roundhouse Works in Lawrence, Kansas, make fantastic houses using reclaimed materials – mostly old wood from barns and outbuildings.
stunning birdhouse design
Lorenzo Padilla has been fascinated by architecture and started to create these in the 90’s.
Al Mowrer finds many of his materials on work sites or at the side of the road. His work is inspired by nature and fantasy.

If it’s your first time making a birdhouse, you might want to start off with a simpler design. Here are some great plan ideas to get you started.

Tips for building a birdhouse

  • Ventilation: make sure there is room for air to circulate and heat to escape by providing gaps between the roof and body.
  • Access: the size of the hole will depend on the bird you want to attract. A small hole can prevent unwanted predators for upsetting the inhabitants. Perches on the entrance are not necessary.
  • Drainage: Don’t forget to put a few holes small holes in the bottom to allow any water to drain.
  • Ladder: a ladder on the inside will allow chicks to leave the nest. This can be made by attaching chicken wire to the inside.
  • Roof: It sounds obvious but a sloping roof is the best to allow rain to run off. An overhang is a good idea at the front to prevent water getting into the nest box too.

Sighting a birdhouse is just as important as design and construction. The entrance hole should face away from the prevailing winds to prevent the elements causing harm to the occupants. This will help keep rain and strong winds from entering the birdhouse and keep the inside dry and warm. Try to avoid placing a bird house near bird feeders or baths. Smaller birds may feel threatened from larger visitors. Birds tend to use birdhouses in places they feel comfortable, so if you find your bird house is not being used, it might be time to try a new location. A pole is the ideal way to mount a house as it prevents predators climbing up. A steel pole is virtually impossible for squirrels and such to ascend. Tree trunks are easy to mount too but can allow other unwanted visitors. Try to keep the entrance hole as small as possible to keep predators away if choosing this method.

We hope you enjoyed this article. If it has inspired you to create something wonderful for wildlife in your area, please consider becoming a Wildlife Angel and supporting our Wildlife Rescue centre.

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