3 replies to this topic

[bellyfly]

I am new to all bird topics. I just put a feeder up about a week ago. I want to put a birdhouse up. Should I? Should I just be happy to watch the feeder? If I should put a house up, how far away from the feeder?

[dklucius]

a lot depends on your area and climate and which birds you get. we don't get most of our nesting birds here till mid may but a few exceptions. in warm southern areas many have already nested and some even having broods of chicks already. most people here put nest boxes away from feeders depending on your yard size 20 to 30 foot away. but again exceptions with some birds nesting in your planters or eaves of houses or sheds and get by just feet away from feeders. i i were you i would talk with others from your general area to see which birds you might expect and when and how often they nest. some birds only one brood a year and some as much as 4 or 5 broods in a year.

[meghann]

in warm southern areas many have already nested and some even having broods of chicks already.

Heh, here in Georgia, we've even had a ton of birds already fledge. I've seen tufted titmouse, cardinal, carolina wren, and eastern bluebird fledglings in the past week.

But anyway, I think finding out what birds are in your area and then deciding out of those which birds you'd like to attempt to cater to would be a good start. Different birds have different nesting needs. You could then research (or ask here!) how you should go about it.

[JimBob]

Here in Missouri most birds have a nest already with eggs/chicks. In fact many have fledged.