Questions and answers

DO BIRDS COME TO A FEEDER BECAUSE THEY SEE THE SEED OR BECAUSE THEY SMELL IT?

Most backyard birds have some sense of smell but it is poorly developed. They come to feeders because they see the seed or they see other birds feeding. Some birds are naturally inquisitive that they investigate something new, such as seed.

HOW DO I GET RID OF STARLINGS THAT OVERRUN SEED AND SUET FEEDERS?

Non-native European Starlings are a huge problem not just for us but ecologically. They take over nest cavities from woodpeckers and bluebirds, often killing nestlings and even parent birds. 

You can close the feeders down for a week or two in the hope that the starlings will move on. 

You can try using safflower seed—the white-color seed—which starlings and native grackles do not eat. 

You can use tube feeders that are protected by a cage. Smaller birds such as chickadees, titmice, wrens, finches and Downy Woodpeckers can easily get in to reach the seed but the larger starlings cannot. 

Starlings with their softer bills cannot crack striped sunflower seeds but cardinals, chickadees find the appealing.

WHEN DO GOLFINCHES CHANGE COLORS? HOW CAN YOU TELL FEMALES FROM OTHER SPECIES?

Male goldfinches already are in their bridge yellow color bodies and black and white wings. First-year males have a paler color without the black cap. Female goldfinches do not change color. They remain a general buff color with black wings and a noticeable stripe on them.

WHICH BIRDS USE BIRD HOUSES? WITHOUT A HOUSE, WHAT WILL THEY USE?

Not all backyard birds use bird houses, which are also known as nesting boxes. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, wrens, bluebirds, swallows, House Finches, Purple Martins, various woodpeckers and some owls use nesting boxes. In the absence of a house, woodpeckers will create their own cavities by pecking a hole in a tree to excavate a nesting area. Some birds will move into old woodpecker homes to build nests there.

CAN I PUT OUT DRYER LINT FOR THE BIRDS TO USE FOR NEST BUILDING?

Dryer lint used to be a recommendation but researchers have found it actually is a bid idea. Lint makes nests very unstable. Take a ball of lint and wet it. See how it shrinks? As it dries, it becomes crushed and loses its fluffy quality altogether. 

Instead you can put out dog or cat hair that has not been treated for fleas or ticks.

You can use string or yarn but make sure that the pieces are only 4 to 6 inches long so birds don't get tangled.

Bird Houses

Bird houses, also known as "nesting boxes," are a common backyard feature. Some people may have purchased a house from a big-box store only to find that no birds come to it. Many houses that are designed for decoration lack the specifications that birds seek for nesting. 

When you buy a bird house, take these factors into account:

Size. Decide what species you'd like to see nest in your yard and then find a house to accommodate them. Consider these three sizes:

1. The diameter of the entrance hole is important. A 1½-inch opening is common and it may keep out larger aggressive birds like starlings. Smaller birds, like chickadees, will use a house with a smaller opening.
2. Floor space. Birds need a certain amount of floor space so the hatchlings have room to grow. For smaller birds like chickadees, titmice, wrens and nuthatches, a 4-by-4-inch space is sufficient. Larger birds need larger space.
3. Elevation. The entrance height measured from the floor of the box to the bottom of the hole is important for keeping eggs and the hatchlings out of reach from predators.

Heating and Cooling. A bird house needs proper ventilation for heat to escape in the summer. The house should have a slit at the top of a side. Wood should be three-quarters of an inch thick.

Proper Drainage. Make sure there are drain holes in the bottom to let water out. This is important to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria. The roof should have an inch or two overhang to keep rain from getting in. It is also helpful to face the house in any direction except northwest, which is where most of our storms come from.

Safety. Houses that have a perch look cute but also provide a perch for predators. Natural cavities in trees do not have perches, and birds that use a house don't need a perch either. A metal predator protector around the hole prevents squirrels from enlarging the hole.

Mounting and Access. Your bird house also must reflect your lifestyle. It should be easy to mount and easy to clean out. Houses should have the ability to open for cleaning.

Some houses are mounted against a tree, some are mounted one a pole. Some houses can be hung for wrens or chickadees. Most houses are mounted between 5 and 10 feet above the ground. Bluebirds prefer their houses 4½ to 5 feet high. Some birds prefer houses higher. Purple Martin houses are placed 15 to 25 feet high; woodpeckers up to 20 high; some owls up to 30 feet high.

Placement of the pole is important too. When hatchlings fledge, they are not great fliers, as they have been in the house building their flight muscles but not practicing actual flight. When baby birds leave the bird house, they may fall to the ground to hide under a bush while the parents continue to feed them, or they may flutter to a nearby tree to be fed there while they learn to fly. If you mount the house on a pole, it should be close to a nearby tree or shrub.

Again, determine which birds you want to attract and find the house right for them. Not all birds use these houses, however. For example, goldfinches, cardinals and Mourning Doves build nests in trees, not houses.

It's not too late to clean out nesting boxes

Just like a dirty feeder, dirty houses are less attractive to backyard birds.  Dirty bird houses can also harbor rodents, insects, feather mites, fungus and bacteria that can spread disease to nesting birds and vulnerable hatchlings. Houses should be cleaned after the nesting brood has fledged or left the nest.

For many bird species, a single cleaning after the end of the breeding season is sufficient. In temperate regions where birds may raise multiple broods, however, the bird house can be cleaned between each new family to encourage more nesting.

Open the nesting box and brush out the old nesting material and any clumped matter including feces. Bag the material in a plastic bag for disposal in case there are parasites.

Inspect the house for loose hinges, protruding nails or screws and large splinters that could injure a bird. Make sure that the ventilation and drainage holes are unobstructed.

When selecting a bird house look for a house that has a removable or hinged panel so cleaning is easy.

Leave clean houses up for winter for roosting and clean them again in the spring so they are ready for breeding birds. A 1-inch layer of wood shavings on the bottom of the box will provide added warmth against winter's icy winds and storms.

By cleaning a bird house properly, backyard birders provide a safe, happy home for their backyard birds. Clean houses will attract more nesting birds, and generation after generation of healthy birds can be raised in suitable bird houses.

'Hanging Hive' Roosting Pocket

It's getting chilly overnight! Small songbirds can use your help in keeping warm during long winter nights. Chickadees, wrens and sparrows love roosting pockets as shelter from cold, rain and snow. 

The Hanging Hive Roosting Pocket is an inexpensive, woven grass shelter that keeps birds warm, dry and safe from predators. Because of the natural material used in the pockets, the shelters do not attract unwanted attention. The reed grass's rough surfaces makes entering and exiting the house easier. The bottoms provide drainage and the opening offers ventilation during warmer periods.

You can hang a roosting pocket from any tree. The pockets are especially valuable if you have deciduous trees in your backyard and right now leafless trees have no protection for songbirds. If you've just moved to a subdivision and the trees are immature, a roosting pocket is an ideal way of protecting little birds. The pockets won't weigh down smaller branches.

(Keep in mind, though, that roosting pockets aren't meant as bird houses. They are too small for nest-building.)

New Product: 'Neon Lites' bird houses

Are you looking for something to make your backyard sparkle? Heartwood's newly released selection of "Neon Lites" bird houses may be just the ticket.

The houses are identical in style to the "Summer Beach Home" series that has proven so popular since its introduction three years ago.

The major difference between the two styles of houses is that the Summer Beach homes use the fresh, sun-bleached colors commonly seen along homes and boardwalks near the Atlantic and Gulf shores. The Neon Lites houses are dazzling saturated tones of lime green, royal purple, orange, red and sea blue. You'll be sure to see them amid leafy trees or distant locations in your backyard!

Wrens will love them!

The houses are crafted of select cypress, topped by a galvanized metal roof for durability and long life. The metal hanger in the back of the house makes it easy to mount the house on the trunk of a tree or on a wooden post or building. The houses are easy to clean. Just lift off the house and slide open the copper clean-out door in the back.

Because of the demand, The Bird House will continue to offer a selection of Summer Beach houses.

Heartwood is one of the nation's premier manufacturer of bird houses. The 20-year-old company is located in the town of Star, Mississippi. Most of the items in its product line are made of cypress, one of the most long-lasting wood native to the United States.

Products and colors may be available for a limited time, so hurry in for the widest selection!

Now available: bird-house kits

Build-it-yourself bird houses are a great way to prep yourself for spring. The Bird House has two kits, one for chickadees and the other for wrens.

The kits are made of long-lasting cedar construction. Screws and nails are included. The only tools required are a hammer and a Phillips screwdriver.

The hole is appropriately sized for the bird. The houses are designed for easy clean-out after the nesting season is over.

The wren house can be hung from a tree limb. The chickadee house has a predrilled hole for attaching the house to a post, shed or tree trunk.

The kits contain American-made products.

There is no need to paint or stain. The cedar will hold up for many years, gradually weathering silvery gray patina. If you wish, you can use a water-based stain or preservative to the exterior of the house. However, don't apply stain or preservative to the hole or the interior.

The kits are a great project for kids or grandkids.

Bird houses make ideal Christmas gifts

Bird houses are made in the United States. All hand-made houses were built in Bethlehem, Lower Nazareth and Hellertown. Other houses were manufactured Wisconsin, Missouri and Mississippi.

Barn-wood Birdhouses return for the holidays

We just received a new collection of Barn-wood Birdhouses, locally handcrafted from lumber that has been salvaged from barns that are being demolished.

Each birdhouse is unique. Some of them contain structural elements made of American Chestnut, an exceptionally durable wood that is now extinct. Wood from several barns date back to the early or mid-1800s. Still others are made of redwood or spruce derived from renovated structures that were erected 60 years ago.

Among the houses featured are wood from a barn built in 1806 in Martins Creek, a second from the similar period in Wind Gap and another dating to 1853 in Moore Township in Northampton County.

One of the nice features of the house are metal objects decorated with blacksmith-made nails as perches and solid brass door knob plates salvaged from old farmhouses. One has a roof whose peak has cooper flashing retrieved from one of the barns.

Many of the birdhouses are meant as homes for chickadees or wrens. Most of the houses are designed to be hung from trees; others are designed to be erected on 4-by-4 posts.

The wood in the Barn-wood Birdhouses is extremely durable. After all, some of the lumber withstood the elements for more than a century, so you can be sure that your bird house will last for decades to come. The roofs of many of the houses are finished with decades-old red barn paint that has acquired a weathered patina.

The houses are so attractive they can be used as indoor decor for the dedicated birder.

We're proud that the houses are locally made using recycled materials—and that all proceeds from the houses circulates within the Lehigh Valley.

The Barn-Wood Birdhouses made an ideal addition to any backyard garden. They also are an excellent gift for the birder in your life.

For the best selection, hurry in! We won't be ordering any more until after the new year.

Holiday gift-giving ideas

The holidays are finally here. Are you ready? Find gifts for every bird-lover on your list at The Bird House. You can find something that's personal and thoughtful—something that will be enjoyed for a long time to come. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Birds need water during every season of the year. Winter's cold temperatures can make it difficult for them to find fresh water.

The solution? A heated baths or the addition of a heating unit to an existing bath. We have many styles of heated baths to choose from. They can be mounted on a pole, such as the one at the right. Others can be attached to a deck railing or placed on the ground.








The holidays are a perfect time to get a new feeder or bird house. They make great gifts. 

There are new tube feeders made specifically to be easily cleaned. The "Clever Cleaner" feeder has no perches that go through the tube and the bottom twists out so it can be thoroughly cleaned. Droll Yankees has a "Ring Pull" system that releases the perches and bottom of the feeder so it can be completely cleaned.

We carry a line of Droll Yankees feeders and accessories.

We have recycled hopper-style feeders from Wisconsin that have either red or blue roofs. They're functional and add a splash of color to your backyard. They're also made of the same kind of polylumber used as decking material. These feeders do not warp, twist, crack or fade. And of course the popular "Going Green" recycled feeders remain available.

We have a variety of squirrel-proof feeders that really do work. 

We've received positive feedback from customers who bought any of the Brome Squirrel Buster line of feeders. Shown here is the Squirrel Buster Plus. Birds can alight on the ringed perch to feed but the heavier weight of the squirrel causes the all-metal seed ports to shut, leaving one unhappy squirrel.

We offer Droll Yankees' Flipper, which spins the squirrel off the perch when it tries to feed. Great fun to watch! We also have the Whipper and the Dipper whose perches collapse from the weight of the squirrel but most birds can easily sit and feed.






Mailbox covers are back! Spruce up your roadside mailbox. The covers are magnetic and attach to any standard-size metal box. We have an assortment of holiday or winter designs.

Two favorite sunflower seed feeders are back: Mr. Snowman and Mrs. Snowman. Birds cling to them and pluck out the black oil sunflower seeds. It is fun to watch their antics.

Bird houses always are a good choice. There are plenty from which to select. 

We have houses for bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, titmice and other species.

We have a variety of bird houses made right here in Bethlehem and in Nazareth. They are unique, beautiful and functional. Some of the houses are made from wooden barns that had stood locally for 150 years.

We also have bird house kits so everyone can get involved in helping backyard birds.

During these cold and blustery days and nights, birds benefit from shelter. We have "Roosting Pockets" that are ideal. Small birds can snuggle into one of these pockets to keep themselves warm when the weather turns frigid.

Don't forget that we have great stocking stuffers—including designer socks! These socks are comfy, warm and good looking. Most of the designs are bird-related but we have some squirrels and chipmunks, too.

There are handcrafted aprons and placements made in Hellertown specifically for The Bird House.

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's updated Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity is a must-have guidebook packed with information on where to see birds in our area. The book contains excellent photos of birds you'll see locally.

Birdie Wreaths have become a holiday tradition at The Bird House. They are made completely of sunflower, safflower, peanut chips and other seed, and held together with glycerin. Many species of birds will peck at them.

What a great way for a family to pass the time together! Jigsaw puzzles are a great holiday gift. For many of us, it brings back memories of sharing good times and stories with our parents and grandparents. We have several designs.

These beautiful winter garden flags are made of an exclusive polyester blend for great durability yet they have a soft, silky feel for better drape and movement. They also are fade- and mildew-resistant.

They come in two different sizes. They're a great focal point during those drab days of winter.







The Bird House is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

We have special hours on Sundays, too. Between December 7 and December 24, you can shop Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. For those last-minute shoppers, we'll be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 24.

Products at The Bird House may sell quickly during the holidays, so be sure to hurry in!

New Product: Birdsong Caboose

Birds enter from the round hole at the end

All aboard for this handcrafted bird house made to look like an old-fashioned railroad caboose!

Those who love both birds and railroads will be delighted to have a Birdsong Caboose, which is handcrafted in Hellertown for The Bird House.

The entry hole can accommodate chickadees, nuthatches, Tufted Titmice and House Finches. 

The entire caboose is made of wood, finished with high-gloss paint that will protect the bird house from the elements. The opening for the birds is on one end of the caboose; the other end plus the sides and cupola are adorned with extrusions to represent the windows. Included are handrails at the platforms of the caboose, a chimney and running lights. Wheels are attached to the black undercarriage.

One nice feature is that optional railroad logos can be attached to the sides of the caboose. Choose from among these railroads: Lehigh Valley, Reading, Pennsylvania, Conrail, Union Pacific, Great Northern, Seaboard Air Line or Milwaukee Road. Railfans who want to precisely simulate their particular railroad's paint scheme can repaint the caboose before applying the logos. 

Enclosed with the caboose is a screw that is threaded at one end for affixing to the pre-drilled undercarriage. The pointed end, also threaded, is meant for screwing into a wooden pole. Two-by-two-inch pressure-treated lumber would make an ideal pole. It's best to pre-drill the pole for the mounting screw. Instructions are included for mounting and for cleaning once the birds leave the nest for the season.

The Birdsong Caboose is an ideal Christmas gift. It can be used as indoor decor until it's time to place the bird house outdoors in the spring!

New Product: Mango tree bird house

Thinking ahead to Christmas gift-giving? Here's a great present for the backyard bird enthusiast: a bird house handcrafted from a mango tree.

The bird house is a true example of the use of sustainable resources. Cultivated mangoes in Thailand are cut down once the trees reach the end of their prime fruit-producing cycle of 10 to 15 years. New seedlings are planted to replace them so the groves can continue a new cycle of growth.

The wood is saved. Mango wood, which is a densely grained hardwood, is increasingly being used for chairs and other furniture. Byer Birding has found another use: bird houses. 

Local artisans hand-turn the lumber, which comes from the Chiag Mai Province in northwestern Thailand. The bird houses are then dried in kilns that are fueled by wood shavings from the mango trees. The entire process represents in a responsible re-use of timber.

The bird houses are ideal for wrens or chickadees. They can be hung from a tree limb or a shepherd's hook. The roof is removable for clean-out once the nesting season is over. Drainage holes are provided.

As with our line of bird houses recycled from local barn wood, the mango tree bird house will be appreciated by those who care about the stewardship of the environment.

The mango tree bird house is available at The Bird House for a limited time, so hurry in!

New Products: Heartwood bird houses

The Woodcutter

Heartwood is a Mississippi company known for its high-quality, visually appealing bird houses. The Bird House is offering three new designs, just in time for nesting season.

Add a magical touch to your yard or garden with The Woodcutter, an enchanting combination of rustic simplicity and imaginative design details such as the dramatic asymmetrical "winged" front gable. The house is crafted to look like a rough-hewn log made for your favorite songbirds. A shingled roof, capped by copper flashing, adds a finishing touch.

The Woodcutter is an ideal focal point for your backyard. The house is 18 inches tall, so it will make quite a statement! You can place the house on a decorative post for maximum effect.


 



Summer Beach Home

Vibrant colors—the sort you'd expect to see on a care-free, sunny seashore—are the hallmark of the Summer Beach Home. 

The Summer Beach Home is made of select cypress, one of the most durable and long-lasting domestic wood. The shingled roof gives the house an exceptional style. A copper-covered door on the back makes clean-out a snap. The back has a metal hanger so that you can mount the house on a fence, a post, a tree, a house or a garden shed. Wrens and chickadees will love it.

Fruit Coop

The final new entry this season is the Fruit Coop, an artful gathering of all the best features that attract wrens and wren-lovers: natural beauty, durable cypress construction and a shingled roof. The back of the house has a metal hanger for affixing to a fence, post, tree, house or shed. As with other Heartwood products, a copper-covered door on the back provides for easy clean-out. 

Heartwood is operated by fourth-generation owners who take pride in their craftsmanship. Its houses were an immediate hit when the company took its products nationwide about 20 years ago and the customer demand has never wavered. 

Products and color selection are available at The Bird House for a limited time, so hurry in!

Selecting the right nesting box

What makes the nesting box ideal for the birds to use? Ventilation, drainage, protection against predators and ease of maintenance.

Ventilation. Without air vents, nesting boxes can turn into ovens during hot summer days. There are two ways to provide ventilation: gaps between the roof and a side of the box, or ¼-inch holes just below the roof.

Drainage. Water becomes a problem when it sits at the bottom of the cavity. Driving rain comes in the entrance hole, so face the nesting box in any direction other than northwest as most of our storms come from that direction. There should be gaps at the corner of the floor or holes drilled in the floor for drainage.

Entrance hole. Look at the entrance hole on the front panel of the nesting box. The size of the hole helps determine which bird will seek out the house. A 1-inch hole will welcome House Wrens; 1⅛ inch is ideal for chickadees. Titmice and nuthatches like the same size house but with an opening of 1½ inches. Bluebirds prefer the same size opening but a larger house. 

Predators. Predator guards can make a big difference between a safe brood and one a raccoon or squirrel can reach. The guards fit in front of the opening. Some are metal, which prevents predators from enlarging the hole to reach the hatchlings inside. Other guards are made of wood or plastic and protrude from the house.  

Access. You want a nesting box that can easily be cleaned out after each brood or at the end of the summer. If birds check out the house in spring but don't move it, look inside for English Sparrows, snakes or insects. Check for fleas, flies, lice or their larvae in the house, too.

You can stain a house made of natural wood or put a preservative on it. Only apply to the outside of the house not the inside nor inside the opening. Birds do not care what the house looks like as long as it meets the opening and inside size preferences; so if you want to paint it - go for it!

Is your roof covered with snow, too?

Birch birch house returns

It's that time of year again: birch bird houses.

These houses are both decorative and functional. They go equally well on the mantel or in the backyard. The houses are made entirely of bark from white birch trees. The bark is the leftovers from the harvesting of logs for furniture and other items. The peeling bark adds an attractive touch.

The houses are about 7 to 7.5 inches tall and have a hook on the roof ridge for hanging from tree limbs or shepherds hooks. Chickadees and wrens will find them ideal lodging. The houses are made in Greenwood, Maine, in the mountains not far from the northern New Hampshire border.

Unfortunately these houses are manufactured on a seasonal basis only. 
They are available for a limited time at 
The Bird House, so hurry in!