How do you hang a bird house?
Hanging a bird house only takes a few minutes. Do keep a few things in mind, though, because birds are picky about their nesting spot.
Hang it firmly and straight
Attach the bird house to a wall or fence. A tree works too. It must not be able to fall or swing when the wind is strong. Use screws that don't rust, and it will stay securely in place for years.
Let it hang slightly tilted
Hang the house slightly at an angle, so rainwater doesn't run in. A dry nest is good for the eggs and, later on, for the young.
Hang it up in time
The bird house should be up in any case before the breeding season starts, in early spring. If you hang it up before winter, even better. Birds like to shelter in it on cold nights.
At least as important is where you hang the bird house. You can read how high and in which direction below.
The best spot: high, quiet and out of the wind
Birds choose a nesting spot where they feel safe, and you can give them a helping hand with that. Start with the height. Hang the bird house at least 2 metres high, so cats can't reach it. Then look at the direction. In the Netherlands, the wind usually comes from the south-west. So turn the entrance hole towards the north-east. Wind and rain then don't blow straight in. The house also isn't in the sun all afternoon, so it doesn't get too hot inside.
Before hanging it up, quickly check these points:
- A quiet corner that you don't walk past all day
- Shrubs or trees nearby to shelter in
- Not right next to a bird feeder, because it's too busy there
- At least 3 metres of distance between birdhouses
- For great tits, at least 10 metres between two houses
If all of that is right, there's a good chance someone will move in in spring.
Don't have a garden? Then a bird house can also hang on a balcony, on a quiet side. If there's no wall or tree in the right spot, a bird house on a pole is a good solution. Make sure the pole stands firmly and the house hangs at least 2 metres high.
Which entrance hole suits which bird?
Every bird has its own preferences, and the entrance hole matters most. If the hole is too small, the bird can't get in. If it's too big, larger birds can get in too. The table shows which size suits which garden bird, and at what height to hang the house.
Blue tit
- Entrance hole: 28 mm
- Hanging height: 2 to 3 metres
- Good to know: At least 3 metres from a great tit house
Great tit
- Entrance hole: 32 mm
- Hanging height: 2 to 3 metres
- Good to know: At least 10 metres between two great tit houses
House sparrow
- Entrance hole: 35 mm
- Hanging height: Higher than 2 metres
- Good to know: Hang the house well above 2 metres
Tree sparrow
- Entrance hole: 40 mm
- Hanging height: 2 to 3 metres
- Good to know: Likes company, so feel free to hang a few houses together
A few millimetres already make a difference. A blue tit can get through a 28 mm hole, but a great tit just won't fit. Measure the entrance hole of your bird house, and you'll know straight away who can move in.
A bird house from elho
A bird house from elho is designed with the bird as resident in mind. Ventilation holes provide fresh air, and the drainage holes let moisture drain away. That way, the young grow up in a dry and healthy nest. According to elho, more than 11 species of garden birds can breed in it, from the great tit to the house sparrow. The design also stood out beyond the garden, with a Red Dot Design Award and an iF Design Award.
Like elho's flowerpots, the bird houses are made from recycled plastic. They are made in the Netherlands, using wind energy. The plastic is light and strong, and it needs hardly any maintenance. After the breeding season, you can easily take out the inner parts. Rinse them clean with hot water in September or October, and the house is ready for its next residents. It brings more life to your garden, with a house that lasts for years.
Frequently asked questions about bird houses
When do you hang up a bird house?
Preferably in autumn or winter. The bird house should in any case be up before the breeding season starts in early spring. If it's up earlier, birds will also use it as a place to sleep on cold nights.
How do you clean a bird house?
Clean the bird house in September or October, once all the young have fledged. Remove the old nest and brush out the house with hot water. Let it dry well before you hang it up again. That helps against mites and other pests.
Can you put a bird house on a pole?
Yes, that works fine. Set the pole firmly in the ground, so the house doesn't wobble. Make sure it hangs at least 2 metres high, with the entrance hole facing north-east.
Which birds can you expect?
In the Netherlands, mainly tits and sparrows. Exactly which bird moves in depends on the size of the entrance hole. A blue tit is happy with 28 mm, a tree sparrow needs 40 mm.
Can the house hang in the sun?
Preferably not all afternoon. In full sun, it can get too hot inside for the eggs and the young. With the entrance hole facing north-east, the house mainly gets sun in the morning, when it's still cool.
