Introduction
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Birds are vertebrates of the family of aves and are found in every continent of the world. Most of them can fly as they have wings and feathers to carry them through the air. Some birds are flightless but still possess characteristics that make up a bird. Several species exist both in the wild and in domestic capacities where they can be kept as pets. Birds come in different sizes and colors, appealing to human eyes. Most birds can survive on their own by building their nests. These nests are usually found and erected on trees and high-growing shrubs. Some of these creatures perch on the cavity of trees from which they erect homes for themselves.
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Naturally, birds are comfortable building nests for themselves and their eggs wherever they go, but this changing world is gradually bringing an end to that. This is because of the high number of fell trees daily as a result of construction and other human purposes, reducing the coverage of wild trees and plants, thereby threatening these animals’ habitat. Thankfully, birdhouses can serve as a good alternative. A birdhouse is a construction that is literal in its meaning as it is designed to keep domestic birds in safety and comfort. When providing a birdhouse that can be bought or constructed, the species of bird for which it is intended should be noted and put in mind. Birdhouses serve as a haven for birds, their eggs, and even hatchlings.
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Several factors should be considered when having a birdhouse which would determine whether or not these constructions are beneficial to the animals for which they were built. These factors include the species of the bird, its size, the location, and the guarantee of safety.
Factors to consider when having birdhouses
These considerations will go a long way in determining the success of the birdhouse. If the construction does not serve its purposes effectively, then it is said to have failed. Birdhouses are usually built on trees as it is easier for birds to access them high up in the air. The following are a few of such factors:
Species of birds
This is a significant determinant of how birdhouses are constructed as several species come in different sizes and weight categories. So a randomly built house would not do the trick. This is because the adult size and weight of the several species alive vary and differ. Some are quite big while others are considerably small. It is therefore essential to carefully check the bird species and its overall size and weight.
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Weight and size
A very key point to note is the size, weight, and physical structure of the bird for which the house is meant. This is because birdhouses should be constructed with the aim of comfortability and functionality as these animals would be spending most of their time in them. A functional birdhouse should make room for the necessary movement of your bird or birds without discomfort or inconvenience, which is why its size should be carefully paid attention to.
Room for hatchlings
Some species of birds have young ones and hatchlings that grow rapidly and up to full size in a short time. This, too, should be looked into when acquiring a birdhouse as for such breed, there would be a need for ample space and room.
Safety
The strength and size of these constructions should offer safety for both the birds and their chicks, as an animal’s house should keep them away from predators and harsh conditions of weather.
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Birdhouses and dimensions for several species
There are several birds which the concept of birdhouses fits perfectly as not all birds can live there. In constructing houses for them, there are different measurements and spacings to be observed. Below is a list of birds species and the measurements for their houses:
Barn owls
Their house should be constructed with a hole diameter of six inches and be four inches above the floor, with the floor spread out in ten inches by eighteen inches for the length and breadth, respectively. The outer sides of the house are then measured as being fifteen inches long and eighteen inches wide.
Barn swallow
A perfect house will be fitted with one or more holes and a floor size of six inches on every side and the outer sides of six inches also. This is just the right fit for the bird considering its small size.
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Doves
They are breeds of birds with huge space requirements due to their constant and steady movements; therefore, the size of the house floor is measured twelve inches in both length and breadth. A single opening is enough while placing the floor one or two inches high. The walls of the house must also be nine inches long for a complete and functional dwelling place.
Bluebirds
These small birds do not require much space; hence they can stay comfortably in a house with a floor size of five inches all through. One opening also is more than enough while the floor stays one inch high.
House Finch
It is a domestic breed of birds and is quite popular. Making a house for it would involve two holes for going and coming, with a floor four inches high and six inches on every side. The rest sides of the house can then be in six inches all through.
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Robin
This is another tiny member of the bird family that does not need a large room. It would be pretty comfortable with a floor size of six inches long and eight inches wide. The fact that it is small should not mean that the sides of the house be the same. A width of eight inches would be perfect with one or two holes.
Conclusion
Knowing how important the size and area surface of our birdhouses are, it is necessary to always pay attention to the accurate measurements and dimensions.