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So you’re ready to put up a new birdhouse?

Here’s the thing – most people make critical mistakes that leave their nest boxes empty or, worse, turn them into death traps for the birds they’re trying to help.

Don’t worry though – by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to avoid these pitfalls and create a bird paradise that’ll have feathered families returning year after year. Plus, we’ll reveal the surprising predator protection trick that increased nesting success by 90%!

Placing Your Birdhouse at the Wrong Height

Many people wonder how high to place their nest boxes, but the answer depends on which birds you’re trying to attract!

North American bird nesting authority nestwatch.org suggests that for most small birds, 5-12 feet is a good range, but there are important differences. Carolina wrens and bluebirds, for example, prefer their nest boxes only 4-6 feet high, whereas purple martins and violet-green swallows prefer nesting at 10-15 feet from the ground.

Large birds like raptors and ducks like nesting even higher up. American kestrels and screech owls need nest boxes placed 10-30 feet from the ground, whereas ducks like mergansers and goldeneyes prefer boxes placed 6-25 feet high.

If you are interested in placing a nest box for ducks, just remember that their young will leap from the nest box well before they’re able to fly. Make sure there’s nothing hard or sharp in the area to ensure a safe landing!

Nest Boxes Too Close Together

While some birds nest together, it’s more common for pairs to become territorial at nesting time and often won’t tolerate other birds of the same species breeding nearby at all.

Once again, how close birds nest to each other depends on the species. Whereas Carolina chickadees and violet-green swallows will tolerate their own species nesting just 30 feet away, black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice prefer to maintain at least 600 feet from their neighbors.

Not surprisingly, birds of prey need to give each other an even wider space! Screech owls need at least 1,000 feet between each other’s nest sites, and kestrels prefer a minimum of half a mile!

But while birds of the same species will often fight fiercely for a nest site, pairs of different species are often quite happy to live alongside each other in peace. In such cases, it can often pay to place nest boxes right next to each other, in pairs.

Nest Boxes Too Far Apart

Following on from our last point, certain species of bird are happy to share their nesting area with neighbors of another species – some species will even accept nest boxes facing back-to-back with their neighbors on the same pole!

A good example of this is tree swallows and bluebirds that will both chase away other members of their own kind but are quite content nesting alongside each other. In this case, nest boxes can either be placed 15-25 feet away from each other or on the same pole, 5-6 feet off the ground.

Pairing boxes like this is a good way to host multiple bird species in a small space. It also makes birdwatching more fun, as sitting beside a pair of nest boxes in the breeding season, you’ll be able to compare how the parents of different species build their nests and feed their young.

Facing Wrong Direction

Although some types of birds seem indifferent as to which direction their birdhouse is facing, others are more picky.

According to nestwatch.org, all types of bluebirds have an order of preference for which direction their nest site faces. Facing east is their favorite, followed by north, and south. Since the west is their least favorite direction, avoid this orientation if you want to attract them!

The same authority also states that tree swallows prefer east-facing sites, kestrels and Northern flickers prefer their nest boxes facing south or east, and wood ducks prefer south or west.

Also, consider that nest boxes facing prevailing winds are more likely to get hit by rain. Chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches, in particular, all prefer to have their nest boxes facing away from prevailing winds.

Too Close to Bird Feeders and Bird Baths

People sometimes imagine that birds would enjoy having their nest box right beside their feeder or bird bath. That way they’d have less distance to fly to drink and feed their young, right?

Well, not quite! The busy comings and goings of multiple bird species at feeders and bird baths are actually off-putting for nesting birds, and bird houses placed too close to feeders and baths may not get used at all.

To build their nests and raise their young in peace, birds prefer a quiet space where they won’t be bothered. To be on the safe side, place your nest box at least 15 feet away from your bird feeders and bird baths.

Nest Boxes Without Protection

You’ll probably know that nesting can be a dangerous time for birds. Squirrels, raccoons, cats, mice, and snakes are all known for raiding nest sites in search of eggs or nestlings as an easy meal.

It’s for this reason that poles are often recommended over placing nest boxes on trees. PVC or metal poles are harder for predators to climb, and adding a baffle or predator guard to them helps to deter potential thieves even further. But what if you’ve got your heart set on placing your nest box in a tree?

A 2021 scientific study from Spain tested a new type of guard for protecting nest boxes from snakes. By wrapping a 3-foot-high sheet of acetate around the tree below the nest box, researchers found that only 2% of boxes were attacked by predators, compared with 20% of nests with no protection.

In conclusion, poles with baffles are the easiest way to protect nests from predators, but trees can also be guarded if you’re prepared to go the extra mile!

Close Proximity to Agricultural Chemicals

It’s a sad fact, but chemical farming and gardening are extremely harmful to birds – especially at nesting time.

Because pesticides are directly harmful to bird health and also wipe out their food source of insects and other invertebrates, anywhere near sites that use such chemicals are best avoided.

Golf courses, farm fields, and gardens that use insecticides and herbicides are not good sites for nest boxes, as doing so could encourage birds to nest in a potentially dangerous place.

For the best chances of your birds raising a healthy group of offspring, we highly recommend adopting organic gardening methods and leaving some overgrown areas of your yard for birds to forage among native wildflowers, rock piles, and brush.

Out of Sight

This particular mistake will not affect your birds badly, but it could reduce your viewing pleasure of birds building their nests and raising their young, not to mention the joy of watching the chicks leave the nest!

While most birds will appreciate a relatively quiet and secluded place to build their nests, that doesn’t mean you need to place it out of sight. If you do, chances are you’ll miss most of the wonderful moments of wild bird breeding altogether.

Instead, place your birdhouse within an easy view of a kitchen or bedroom window that you frequently look out of so you can enjoy the miracle of nature while you’re lying in bed or washing your dishes.

Alternatively, locate it around 15-25 feet from somewhere that you love to sit outside. I prefer nothing more than sitting out with a cup of tea on a late spring evening watching my flycatchers zip back and forth to feed their offspring. The devotion with which birds raise their young can be an inspiration to us all.

Too Close to Human Activity

The opposite mistake of locating your nest box out of sight is placing it too close to your daily activity. While a few bird species such as house wrens have no problem building their nests on your front porch, most birds need more distance from human activity to feel safe.

As a young boy, I remember being very disappointed after putting up a nest box just behind our garden swing chair in the hope that I could observe the birds from my cozy seat. But because there was nearly always someone swinging there, they never used it. They must have felt intimidated by our closeness.

Such mistakes are useful lessons to understand birds better. Although many backyard birds can appear to be remarkably bold at times, during nesting time, they’ll usually appreciate a little more privacy.

Wrong Local Habitat

If you’ve got your heart set on attracting a particular type of bird to your nest box, you’ll need to place it in the appropriate habitat.

Because birds need to nest in the right habitat to feel safe and source an abundant supply of food, many species can be quite choosy. While Carolina wrens will nest anywhere from dense forests, to suburban parks, to your metal mailbox, others such as nuthatches, bluebirds, and swallows are more particular.

If you’re considering installing a specialist nest box for birds like owls and ducks, you’ll need to choose the habitat extremely carefully. Ducks, not surprisingly need to nest near water, and barn owls like to nest in man-made structures with open, weedy fields, deserts, or marshlands nearby.

We don’t have time to describe the nesting habitat of every bird species, though. For that, please head to the excellent index at nestwatch.org to find out the very best environment for each species.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birdhouse Placement

When is the best time to put up birdhouses?
Install birdhouses in late winter or early spring, ideally 4-6 weeks before breeding season begins in your area. This gives birds time to discover and inspect the boxes before they start looking for nesting sites.

Should I clean out old nests?
Yes, clean out nest boxes after each breeding season ends, typically in late fall. Remove old nesting material, scrub with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), rinse thoroughly, and let dry completely. This prevents parasites and diseases from affecting next year’s residents.

What size entrance hole do I need?
Entrance hole size is critical for attracting specific birds. Chickadees and wrens need 1⅛ inch holes, bluebirds prefer 1½ inches, and flickers need 2½ inches. Larger holes allow bigger predators and unwanted species to enter.

How do I keep cats away from my birdhouses?
Mount boxes on smooth metal or PVC poles at least 5 feet high with a cone-shaped baffle below. Keep boxes at least 10 feet from any structure cats could jump from, such as fences, trees, or buildings.

Can I use treated lumber for birdhouses?
Avoid pressure-treated lumber, as the chemicals can be harmful to birds. Instead, use naturally rot-resistant woods like cedar, cypress, or redwood. If you must use other woods, choose untreated lumber and apply bird-safe exterior wood stain or paint.

Essential Birdhouse Maintenance Tips

Proper maintenance ensures your birdhouse remains attractive to birds year after year. Check boxes monthly during non-breeding season for damage, loose screws, or wasp nests. Replace worn weather stripping around removable panels, and ensure drainage holes remain clear of debris.

During breeding season, observe from a distance and avoid disturbing active nests. If you notice signs of mites or parasites (tiny moving specks), wait until the season ends before cleaning. Some birds raise multiple broods per season, so a box may be reused several times.

Winter preparation is equally important. Secure loose parts that might rattle in winter winds, and consider leaving boxes up year-round as some birds use them for winter roosting. Just ensure they’re clean and dry before cold weather arrives.

Creating the Perfect Nesting Environment

Beyond proper placement, creating an ideal environment around your birdhouse increases your chances of success. Plant native shrubs and trees within 50-100 feet of nest boxes to provide natural food sources and cover. Berry-producing plants like elderberry, serviceberry, and native cherries offer both food and nesting materials.

Provide a shallow water source like a birdbath or small pond within 100 feet, but remember to keep it at least 15 feet from the nest box itself. Fresh, clean water is essential for drinking and bathing, especially when birds are feeding hungry chicks.

Avoid using pesticides in your yard, as they eliminate the insects that many birds rely on to feed their young. A single clutch of baby chickadees requires their parents to bring them over 350 caterpillars per day! Embrace a few “messy” areas with leaf litter and brush piles where insects can thrive.

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