For The Birds? : Not! Most Birds Won’t Use Birdhouses, But They Are a Whimsical Way to Dress Up the Garden

While it might appear that the fanciful creations pictured here are for the birds, that’s probably wishful thinking. “Most birds wouldn’t be caught dead in a birdhouse,” as one wildlife biologist put it.

These birdhouses are really for the garden--the latest thing in garden ornamentation--tailored for today’s smaller gardens where a statute of Zeus might not fit.

With the holiday giving season upon us, they might also be the perfect gift for a gardener.

You might lure a handful of wild bird species if you live near a wild area, and you’re sure to attract what an Audubon official called “junk birds,” those non-native species that will nest in traffic lights or street signs--”The same ones that hang out at McDonald’s,” according to Audubon environmental education specialist Dan Kahane.

But West Los Angeles landscape architect Andrea Gardner, who has used birdhouses in several new gardens, can’t say enough about them as ornaments. She thinks of them as “inexpensive sculpture.” They can do the same thing in a contemporary garden that sculpture did in grand classical gardens--bring focus to the landscape.

She points out that they can add colors to the garden not found in the plantings, that they add a “cottage-y charm” and a little whimsy to gardens, which keeps them from becoming too serious. “They can even brighten up a condo terrace or balcony,” she says, thanks to the small size.

You can put them on a post, hang them on a wall or fence, from the eaves, or up in a tree. There are literally hundreds of styles being made, but most have a distinct “country” flavor.

Many have a patina that makes them look far older than they are (truly old birdhouses are avidly sought by collectors of folk art and occupy a place of importance in antique shops).

One birdhouse is “made from 100% recycled material,” so while it is new, it’s made from things old, for the ultimate patina.

This, in fact, is a practical idea. Kahane, at the Audubon Society, said birdhouses are best built of old, seasoned wood if they are to attract birds.

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Some of these houses look quite cozy, but looks can be deceiving when it comes to actually attracting birds. “No matter how cute or elegant, you’re only going to attract a few species in the Los Angeles area,” Kahane said.

The two most likely tenants are the greedy House or “English” Sparrow (males are small, brown, with black chest and white stripes on wings) and the garrulous starling or “blackbird” (glossy black in summer; brown and mottled in winter). Both originated in Europe and both will eat insects and seed.

Both are also what are called “cavity nesters.” This is an important point, according to natural resource specialist Tom Scott at UC Riverside.

Only cavity nesters--birds that normally build nests in hollow trees or in buildings--are going to be birdhouse looky-loos. Most birds aren’t cavity nesters, building their nests in trees or shrubs or on the ground.

The best birdhouses seek to imitate the most common natural cavity--vacated woodpecker homes--so they have narrow entry holes and smallish interiors.

The occupants like the small holes because it keeps out some common predators, including other birds. Starlings in particular are aggressive birds and will kill the occupants of a birdhouse to gain its use (a 1 1/2-inch hole will exclude them).

The tight quarters also help conserve heat. Tom Scott points out that baby birds must stay very warm. He’s measured nest temperatures of 101 to 103 degrees.

Still, the best place for a birdhouse is probably in the shade, at least for most of the day. Face them south or east, away from approaching weather systems. It’s very important that birdhouses stay dry inside.

Birdhouses also must be cleaned out once a year. If you are shopping for a functional birdhouse, make sure it can be taken apart to be cleaned. Most have the bottom or one side attached with screws.

The accompanying chart lists the wild cavity nesters in Southern California, and the size hole and interior dimensions they are believed to prefer. Use it to help choose a functional birdhouse. The ornamentation doesn’t matter.

Looks can deceive: A birdhouse made to look like an old-time straw boater hat (it’s actually made of molded resin) at the Grand Emporium in San Pedro has been tested and found to attract several kinds of birds. It comes with a tag that lists the various species that will nest in it.

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While birdhouses are most effective as garden ornaments at eye level, notice in the chart that many birds prefer to be a good deal higher off the ground, up to 80 feet in the air in the case of the tiny Mountain Chickadee. The chart suggests how high to mount a birdhouse.

Few of the birds listed in the chart will be found inside the city. You are most likely to attract them if they are already living nearby, in canyon bottoms, mountain forests, oak woodlands or chaparral.

Bird-watcher Doug Martin has had spectacular luck at O’Melveny Park in Granada Hills, but the park is surrounded on three sides by wildland. He’s had Western Bluebirds, House Wrens, Ash-throated Flycatchers and one Plain Titmouse family nesting in 25 birdhouses, placed about 8 feet off the ground.

They have 1 9/16-inch holes, six inches above the floor. The boxes have interiors that measure five by five inches and are a foot tall, with sloping roof and drainage holes in the bottom. One side comes off for cleaning.

There’s no harm trying to lure birds into the back yard, even if the only habitat nearby is a McDonald’s. Birds know no rules and may nest in surprising places. The cute little long-billed Bewick’s Wren has even been found nesting in the drainage hole of a one-gallon nursery can.

But don’t set your hopes too high. Most birdhouses are really better ornaments than abodes. That’s why biologists are so adamant about saving natural habitats. Man made just won’t do for wild birds, the ones that help a gardener the most with pest control.

Type of bird and locality: Screech Owl-found in many wild areas Height of nest above ground: 10-30 feet Size of entrance hole: 2-4 inches Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): 7-18 inches in diameter Type of bird and locality: Northern Flicker-any woodland Height of nest above ground: 2-60 feet Size of entrance hole: 2-4 inches Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): 7-20 inches in diameter Type of bird and locality: Ash-throated Flycatcher-oak and riparian woodland Height of nest above ground: 10-50 feet Size of entrance hole: variable, try 1 7/8 inch Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): variable but next is about 2 1/2 wide by 2 inches deep Type of bird and locality: Mountain Chickadee-conifer woodland Height of nest above ground: 2-80 feet (15 is typical) Size of entrance hole: 1 1/4-1 1/2 inches Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): variable, ofen use small woodpecker cavities Type of bird and locality: Plain titmouse-oak and riparian woodland Height of nest above ground: 3-32 feet Size of entrance hole: 1 1/4-4 inches Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): variable, but nest size is typically 2-3 inches wide Type of bird and locality: White-breasted Nuthatch-mountain or riparian woodland Height of nest above ground: 15-50 feet Size of entrance hole: variable Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): 6-8 inches in diameter Type of bird and locality: House Wren-chaparral, oak and riparian woodlands Height of nest above ground: 0-10 feet Size of entrance hole: variable Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): variable but nest is typically 2 inches wide by 2 inches deep Type of bird and locality: Bewicks Wren-chaparral, oak and riparian woodland Height of nest above ground: 0-10 feet Size of entrance hole: variable Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): variable but nest is typically 2 inches wide and 2 inches deep Type of bird and locality: Western Bluebird-oak and riparian woodland Height of nest above ground: 5-10 feet Size of entrance hole: 1 3/8-1 7/8 inch Cavity area (use for interior diameter of bird house): 5 by 5 inches