Depending on the type of bird you are accommodating, the size of the actual birdhouse will vary. For example, when choosing a birdhouse for a purple martin, you will need a space that has multiple "rooms" for many birds.

Martins prefer to live in a communal setting. Bluebirds tend to be the complete opposite. For these birds, you will need housing to accommodate one family of birds. A good rule to keep in mind when looking at birdhouses, smaller birds will require less space on the inside of the house, than a larger type of bird.

The actual design of the birdhouse will vary according to the type of bird it will be housing. For instance, a martin will need an "apartment" style house, which allows for more of a community style living. Other birds, such as the wren, like to nest in a single space birdhouse away from other wrens. There are a few things that each model will have in common. Each house should be well ventilated at the top.

With holes in the flooring for drainage, as not to allow for flooding during rainy periods. Should you choose to paint or stain your birdhouse, choose colors that will blend with the surroundings. Be sure not to paint or stain the interior of the house. The fumes can be potentially dangerous to the birds.

A key feature of your birdhouse that is often not considered, the opening to the house, or entrance hole. Smaller birds, like wrens, will need a smaller in diameter entrance hole. A small diameter helps protect them from larger birds, as the hole will be too small for them to enter the house. A larger species of bird will need a larger diameter hole to enter, make sure your entrance hole isn't too large. If the hole is too large, it allows larger predators to enter the house.

Another aspect of a successful birdhouse is placing it in the right location. Location varies by the type of bird that will use the house for nesting. Bluebirds will prefer a more open space for placing their house since they feed mainly on insects this placement works out better for them. On the opposite end of the spectrum chickadees, they like to be surrounded by trees or bushes.

A properly placed birdhouse will also need to be set at different heights accordingly. Some bird species like to be higher in the air, like 15 to 20 feet up. Others will want to be lower to the ground more like 5 to 8 feet above the ground. It is not recommended to go any lower than 5 feet; this will prevent predators from entering the house. A good trick for deterring predators, use a piece of stove pipe to wrap around the pole or tree trunk. The stovepipe will prevent the predator from attempting to climb up to the birdhouse.

As far as to hang your birdhouse, some birds like to have their accommodations hung right on the trunk of a tree. It is best to attach your birdhouses to a sturdy pole or post to eliminate the number of predators.

In some areas weather can be a significant factor in placing your house, you want to hang the house so that the young birds inside have protection from the elements. Protection requires setting the opening in the right direction, away from the wind. Doing this will prevent the wind and rains from harming nay young hatch-lings inside of the birdhouse.

Even though you have followed the recommendations set forth for the type of bird you are looking to house, it doesn't mean that the birds will use the houses you have hung. Birds prefer houses that are weathered, rather than ones made from newer materials.

You may need to leave a more modern house out in the elements for the first year before you see any activity. To increase your chances for bird activity, try to offer several different kinds of houses, this will provide homes to different types of birds.

Caring for your birdhouses after the tenants have departed is also very important for the next upcoming nesting season. Your house should have an access panel for you to get inside of the birdhouse. Before accessing the interior of your house, be sure that the nesting birds and their young have left the house.

Clean out the birdhouse, by removing any materials the birds have used to create their nest. Cleaning will keep the mice out during the "off" season, but will also leave the house open for birds who have more than one hatching period. A clean house makes for more and happy tenants.

Songbirds are one of the more invigorating species of birds to watch. They are smaller, with a higher energy level than some of the larger birds. Luring them into your yard can be a feat all on its own, many people get frustrated by this, but knowing what these birds like, will help reduce the stress.

Bluebirds: Bluebirds will like to be at the outskirts of your yard, since sparrows and bluebird like the same style houses, hanging two can come in handy. Be sure to hang the birdhouses at least 25 or 30 feet away from each other. The height gives the birds some much-needed space. The best height for a bluebird house is 4 to 6 feet in the air. The height can be achieved on a pole or tree trunk.
Purple Martins: Purple martins are somewhat loner birds, they like open space, with little to no trees in the area. By recommendation, there should be no trees within 60 feet of the birdhouse you place for them. Make sure you place the house far away from your own. The recommended height for a purple martin house is 10 to 15 feet high.
Wrens: Wrens will make their homes almost anywhere, including in places you may not want them. To try to restore order to your yard, place a birdhouse for the wrens on a post that will allow you to place the house at least 10 feet up. Keep a small pile of nesting materials, like leaves or leftover brush, near the wren house. Doing so will entice the wrens into using the birdhouse

Although during the winter many birds will migrate, some will stick out the cold and stick around. Breeding season will be long over with, but your birdhouses need to be maintained. Some will leave them out, transforming them into what is known as a roosting box. Others will choose to remove the birdhouses from their yard. They will place them into storage for the winter. No matter which you choose, you need to know how to achieve this goal.

Now is the time to give your birdhouses a thorough cleaning, this will remove any debris and bacteria from the house. It is also the time for which to inspect your birdhouse, as some of them will require repairs to be ready for the next nesting cycle. After you have finished this process follow these simple steps to store your birdhouses:

To prevent mold from growing, bring your birdhouses inside for some drying time. It is best to do this for a few days, to be sure that all the moisture has been removed from the house.
Gather some larger sized storage bags, placing the house in the bags will lock out additional moisture during storage. It will also keep any unwanted guests, such as insects from entering your birdhouses.
Put the birdhouses in an area that is dry, that will accommodate the number of houses you have. Stacking your houses isn't recommended, as they could topple over, causing them to be damaged.

There are models available designed to be both a house and a roosting box. Should you choose to go with one of those types of birdhouses, follow the directions giving for changing over the house. For those looking to try to switch the house over themselves, be sure you are not trying to do this with those fancier houses. For those with a basic birdhouse follow these simple steps to change your house into a roosting box:

Remove the piece with the entrance, turn it upside down, so that the entrance is now at the bottom. Doing this will help keep the heat inside of the roosting box.
Now you want to seal up the birdhouse, this will mean that you need to plug the drainage holes and fill the ventilation at the top. Cutting foam to fit is found to be the easiest way to achieve this. Use silicone to fill any cracks or seams, once you have this done the roosting box can hold in heat.
Give the birds a place to rest by putting plenty of perches inside the box, remember the birds will cram into the box to stay warm. Line the bottom with wood chips or sawdust, this makes cleaning after winter much easier. Not to mention it adds further insulation to the box.
Cover the roof in a darker shade material, such as shingles, this will give the box added warmth. When placing the roosting box, make sure it is faced away from the direction the wind typically comes. The placement will keep the birds safe from the elements. When choosing the location for the roosting box, try to find a place in your yard that gets exposure to the sun in the afternoon. The afternoon sun will heat the box as well, keeping the birds warmer at night too.