| A decorative bird house, made from wood or | | | | a latched backdoor with louvers for ventilation and |
| metal, provides shelter during ferocious storms | | | | drainage holes. |
| and at times where there are strong or heavy | | | | In addition, an outdoor decorative bird house |
| winds. As such, in addition to being water | | | | should have a sturdy and solid wood construction. |
| resistant, a good decorative bird house should also | | | | There is a choice of materials such as natural |
| be durable and well built. It should be warm in the | | | | cedar, exterior grade ply-board or kin dried |
| winters and cool in the summers. | | | | hardwood to endure many years of service. Their |
| There is a wide range with many types and | | | | exterior should be painted with a |
| variations of bird houses available. Many bird | | | | weather-resistant finish of non-toxic paints. |
| owners are now opting for the elaborately hand | | | | A fully functional decorative bird house should |
| painted decorative bird houses, which comes in a | | | | have separate roosting or nesting cavities, |
| variety of themes such as an ark, lighthouses, | | | | preferably with protected entry holes at each end |
| lodges or wood cabins. | | | | as well as nest holders with vent holes at the |
| A good decorative bird house, which may range | | | | base to maintain stable temperatures. |
| from Victorian styles to modern space satellites, | | | | Some of the decorative bird houses are |
| should have most of the following important | | | | beautifully constructed, with elaborately painted |
| features that combines safety, security and easy | | | | ornate moldings, flashes of colourful window |
| access. | | | | trimmings along with a swooping turret roof and |
| The location of the bird house is important. It | | | | fanciful openings that allows viewing from the |
| may be hung at the garden or yard and there | | | | outside. |
| should not be a perch by the entrance as it may | | | | Springtime is usually the nesting season for birds. |
| encourage natural predators such as cats. In | | | | Although most birds are amazingly resilient, it can |
| addition, there should be a properly sized entrance | | | | be a stressful experience whenever they move |
| hole and entry guard in it that keeps predators | | | | to a new place. Besides having to adjust to new |
| out. | | | | sounds and sights, there is also a need to find a |
| The decorative bird houses should be easy to | | | | new home. |
| clean. They should be thoroughly cleaned at least | | | | Bird houses create a safe haven for the birds and |
| once or twice a year to prevent nest parasites. | | | | protect them from natural harm and disasters. |
| As such, it should be equipped with side cleanouts | | | | With a little imagination, hang some unique |
| that is easily removed. | | | | decorative bird houses in the garden or yard. The |
| Next, there must be ventilation holes such as a | | | | varieties of birds will bring life and add a touch of |
| chimney shaped funnel at the top and drainage | | | | charm to the place with their flashes of colours |
| holes at the bottom of a good decorative bird | | | | and chirpy songs. |
| house. It should have either an easy-open front or | | | | |