Birds DunRite

This creation by Clair Murray of a classic wind swept cottage on the high ground of “Siasconset”, affectionately known as Sconset, the beloved island of Nantucket, features architecture of this area.  These decorative bird houses are constructed of only the finest exterior grade ply-board with two separate nest boxes.  Kiln dried hardwoods, pine and polyresin are used for details.  All the finishing is done with non-toxic exterior paint but the interior is left unpainted for the birds.  The bird house is grey surrounded with a white picket fence.  With proper maintenance, this decorative bird house will provide years of enjoyment.

With such a work of art, many people prefer to use these decorative bird houses as indoor decor.  Let your imagination go wild and start or add to your Clair Murray collection!

What a pleasure to make a cozy bird house for the tiny little wren!  The house wren is common throughout most of North America and they are quick to accept bird houses for a home.  Bird houses with a small entrance will protect this little bird from the dangers of most predators.

Using this wren house kit to build a perfect house for these delightful little birds will be so satisfying to know that you helped then start a new family.  With their friendly nature, they like to be near human habitation.

This kit is recommended for ages 8 and up.

The mating habits of the chickadees is minimal.  There is no real major courtship display.  Pairs generally break away from the small winter flocks that have been feeding together through the cold months and begin selecting mates.  Being cavity nesters, the chickadees excavate their nest in the soft,  partially rotted wood of a tree trunk or broken limb.  These birds are excellent candidates for man-made bird houses.  The nesting season is from April through June.

Locate chickadee bird houses 4 to 15 feet high.  The orientation of the entrance hole should provide the most shelter and a clear flight path to the opening.  You can encourage them to nest by placing a few wood chips in the bird house or filling the box with sawdust up to the entrance hole which gives the birds something to excavate while nest building.  The female will build the nest using moss and soft materials, taking about 4-5 days to complete. She will then lay about six white with speckles eggs and she alone will incubate them for about 12 days.  During this period the male feeds her.

The male calls her from the nest, at which time she leaves the nest and he feeds her.  Sometimes she will leave the nest and call him, and he will bring food to her.  Occasionally the female will feed on her own.

After the young hatch,  the female will brood the newborns for the first few days.  During this time the male will continue to bring food.  After brooding, both will share equally in feeding the babies.  The young will leave the nest in about 16 days.  For the next 2-4 weeks the young birds will be fed by the parents.  Then the kids are on their own!!

Do not put up a bluebird house if you do not plan to monitor it!  It is essential to check your bluebird boxes at least once a week during the nesting season, until chicks are close to fledging. 

Do not open the box after nestlings are 12 to 14 days old.  At this stage the nestlings could become confused and leave the box before they are able to fly,  greatly reducing their chance of survival.

Always remove house sparrow nests immediately.

Have your bluebird houses in place by mid-March when the bluebirds return from their winter migration and are looking for nesting sites.  However, boxes may also be put up later in the nesting season.  

Bluebirds usually have two broods per season but three broods are possible.  Recognize a bluebird nest — it is a cup-shaped nest that is usually made up of woven grass.  Pine needles may also be used.  

Bluebirds usually lay 4 to 5 light blue eggs.  The incubation period is 12 to 14 days.  Nestlings remain in the nest 18 to 21 days before they fledge.   Remove bluebird nests and those of other birds as soon as the young birds have fledged.

Don’t be discouraged if your bluebird houses are not used the first year.  If bluebirds are not common in your area, it may take them a few seasons to find your new boxes but then they will return to the same area each year.  Bluebird trails have been an extremely effective method of reestablishing the bluebird populations across North America.

Habitat is the key factor to consider when setting up a bluebird trail. The best locations are rural country with scattered trees and low or sparse ground cover; the area should include perch sites, such as a fence line, wires, or tree branches where bluebirds may perch to search for food.  Look for these when you are selecting a location for your bluebird houses.  Pastureland, acreages, parks away from human traffic, and mowed areas such as cemeteries, golf courses are all good locations for a bluebird trail (provided pesticides are not used).

Mount bluebird houses so the entrance hole is approximately five feet above the ground. If possible, face the bluebird houses away from prevailing winds and towards a tree or shrub which is within 100 feet of the box to provide a landing spot for the young bluebirds when they first leave the house. This will keep them off the ground, away from predators.

Nesting density for all three species of bluebirds is dependent on many factors so experiment by adjusting the distances between your own boxes until you have established ideal spacing for your particular location. In many cases, bluebirds have been observed nesting closer than the distances recommended. However, it is better to start a bluebird trail with boxes placed too far apart than too close together. (Western bluebirds approximately 100 yards, Eastern bluebirds 125-150 yards. Mountain bluebirds 200-300 yards)

Bluebird houses can be mounted in pairs in areas where tree swallows are abundant. When paired, boxes should be mounted 5 to 25 feet apart. This provides nesting sites for both species and helps to prevent competition between them. Different species of birds usually do not mind nesting close to each other.

Bluebirds rarely nest in cities. It is possible, but uncommon, for bluebirds to nest along the outer edges of cities or in small towns. Bluebirds generally prefer rural areas.

Since man has greatly reduced natural nesting cavities for blue birds through continuous clearing of land for housing and industrial developments, and wooden fence posts have long been replaced with metal posts, the present situation dictates that man offer alternative nesting places for the shortage of natural ones.  Blue birds are known to appreciate man-made nest boxes as long as certain specifications are met.

Blue bird houses for Eastern Blue birds should be 4 to 5 inches with entry holes that are 1 1/2 inches and Western and Mountain blue bird houses should be at least 5 inches to accommodate their larger clutch sizes.  Mountain blue birds need an entrance hole of 1 9/16″ while Western blue birds use a 1 1/2″ hole.  Oval holes should only be used in Eastern blue bird houses with moderate to small dimensions to reduce the possibility of starling use.

The houses should easily open from the top, side or front for monitoring and cleaning.  There must be drainage holes in the box bottom to allow any water to drain and also to provide air circulation th keep nesting materials dry.  The roof should provide sufficient overhang beyond the box entrance or vent holes to minimize the possibility of rain entering.  Vents for cross ventilation should be present near the box peak.  Perches should not be used on blue bird houses.

These beautiful birds are starting to reappear in areas where blue bird houses are established so let’s continue to help our little feathered friends!

If you want your backyard to be a haven for birds, one of the best things you can do is to put up bird houses or bird shelves. They will be especially needed towards the end of winter when the birds are preparing to mate and nest.

if you want to attract certain species of birds, you need a house which that type of bird prefers to nest. Wrens, bluebirds and tree swallows like single, enclosed bird houses the best. Bluebirds and tree swallows will stay in a house in a fairly open area, but wrens prefer enclosed houses surrounded by some sort of shrubbery.

Robins and phoebes will not stay in a enclosed house, so of you want to attract these species, a bird shelf is your best bet.

When choosing a house, make sure that it will be safe for the birds. It should definitely have holes on the top and bottom for ventilation and drainage. Also, it is best that it doesn’t have a perch by the entrance since this can attract predators. The entrance hole should be facing north or east to prevent overheating during hot summers. You should also place no more than one house per tree for the same species,

It is also best to place houses on metal poles rather than wooden ones; this will help keep predators away. You want a place where the birds can safely build their homes and if you take these precautions, you can have a most delightful aviary sanctuary .

Make your backyard spectacular with decorative bird houses! Avian housing reaches new heights with distinctive architectural bird houses. There are Victorian designs enhanced by authentic scroll work and turn-of-the-century, cottage inspired embellishments. These birding products are designed for outdoor use or can be enjoyed in the home as a decorative accessory.

A Farmhouse bird house with an adorable potted plant on the front porch and a French Country Chateau with dramatic window, door moldings and intricate details are just a few of the spectacular bird houses available.

Birds will be thrilled to find these bird dwellings equipped with removable back walls, unpainted natural interiors and non-toxic outdoor grade paint. Topping off the pieces is a western red cedar or pine shingled roof that will patina to silvery gray color with sun-bleaching.

Artwork of Marjolein Bastin is featured as well as a Victorian cottage and a wind swept cottage on the high ground of Siasconset in the Claire Murray series. Paint used on these is for outdoor use but with artists like this, how perfect for indoor decoration!

This tiny little bird with the big voice is common throughout most of North America. The House Wren is cinnamon brown above, buff or gray below, and has fine bars on the wings and tail. They are quick to accept bird houses for a home and a house with a small entrance will protect the House Wren and its family from the dangers most nesting birds encounter.

The Wren’s exuberant personality endears him to humans, but he is sometimes not the best neighbor to other songbirds. Only the male is the singer, and most of his singing occurs during courting times.

With their friendly nature, they will live near human habitation. They prefer suburban yards or open areas with trees and shrubs nearby. The House Wren migrates to southern states for the winter.

If you’re finding that your garden or backyard looks a little empty, bird houses might be the way to counter that. By placing some great and decorative bird houses around your garden, you can bring a great amount of character to it. Luckily, bird houses have entered the modern world and you can find some unique ones out there that will compliment your garden really well. With careful selection and placement, you’ll find the beauty in your backyard soon enough.