How to Attract Birds to a Birdhouse

Draw the birds with food. Food is one of the biggest attractions for birds. Make sure you have an area close to the birdhouse where the birds can eat safely and free from predators. Try many different types of birdseed. Depending upon the species of bird that you want to move into the birdhouse, you may also want to put up a suet block or a liquid feeder close to the birdhouse. Be sure that you keep squirrels and other animals away from the feeder as well.

Provide fresh water. Birds, like any other animal, will need fresh water. Consider putting in a birdbath close to where the birdhouse is located. Many birds will use a birdbath and you will likely have resident birds rather quickly. Keep the design of the birdbath simple and only two inches deep. Many different colors or patterns could confuse the birds. Some people do not know that a bird can drown if you provide water that is more than two inches deep.

Customize the birdhouse. If you want a specific type of bird, you need to make sure the birdhouse is built to suit them. Different birds want different houses. Make sure the opening for the birdhouse is big enough for a bird to easily get in and out of the birdhouse, but not so big that the bird doesn't feel secure.

Keep unwanted animals out of the area. There are different ways to keep predatory animals out of the area of a birdhouse. While you cannot protect the birds from all animals, there are ultrasonic repellents, odor repellents, and different types of fencing that can be used to keep most animals at bay. This is one of the most important things you can do to attract birds to your birdhouse.

Keep children out of the way while you are actively recruiting birds. Once the birds have moved into the birdhouse, it is not quite as important, but at first it may discourage them from moving in.