The ideal spot for a birdhouse is the one that provides safe shelter for birds to raise their young, while giving you hours of enjoyment watching them grow.

• DO place your birdhouse near a tree or bush. This allows parent birds to perch and survey the area, making sure it’s safe to move in.
• DON’T position your birdhouse near a bird feeder. The birdhouse should be a sanctuary for parent birds to raise their babies. Food attracts predators so the house and the feeder should always be placed far apart.
• DO face your birdhouse away from the prevailing winds (the wind that blows most frequently across your backyard). Just like us, birds need shelter from the elements.
• DON’T nail your birdhouse to a tree trunk or hang it from a tree limb. If possible, mount your birdhouse on a metal pole. Mounted birdhouses are less vulnerable to predators.
• DO set up a variety of birdhouses. Some birds will inspect several houses before deciding on a particular one, so give them a few from which to choose.
• DON’T face the entrance hole of your birdhouse south or west. To avoid overheating (especially if you live in an area with very hot summers) face the birdhouse entrance hole to the north or the east.

Birds use trees, shrubs and plants to hide from both the elements and their natural predators, as well as to roost.

• Evergreens provide thick foliage to hide birds from predators and protect them from harsh winter winds.
• White pine, arborvitae, spruce, juniper, cedar, holly and other broadleaf and needle evergreens provide essential winter protection as well as food.
• Hedges of serviceberry or viburnum provide food, shelter and nesting spots.
• Conifers such as cedar provide warmth, hiding places and places to nest.
• Layer a brush pile of pruned or fallen branches in a corner of the yard or against a hedge to create an instant, bird-friendly shelter.
• Pile old shrubbery branches or logs on the ground to provide shelter for ground-dwelling birds on cold winter nights.
• Incorporate a recycled Christmas tree into the landscape where it can offer additional shelter.