Gourd Birdhouse A Natural Choice

With the increase in building and logging, natural nesting sites such as holes in trees, are disappearing. As a result we are seeing a dwindling of beneficial birds. Replacing these nesting sites with humane supplies natural housing is becoming important.

Birds will use the same nesting site year after year once they find a nice place to nest. Keep the birdhouse in good shape and cleaned out after the season, and your feathered friend will return to raise another family.

Gourds make excellent natural homes and are more likely to attract birds than manufactured birdhouses. It is also helpful if you provide some nesting material near by. Corn fodder, string, long grasses, twigs, mud and even hair make great nesting materials. With the right size hole and proper placement you should be able to attract and provide a lovely home for your feathered friends. Gourds hung in the early spring will fill up fast.
I have been watching them bring nesting materials to one I have hanging off the end of my awning.

This chart give the hole size and ground height for cavity nesting birds

Bird Species	Diameter of Hole	Height above Ground
	(inches)	(feet)
Bluebird	1-1/2"	5-10
Chickadee	1-1/8"	6-15
Titmouse	1-1/4"	6-15
Nuthatch	1" - 1-1/4"	6-10
Bewick's Wren	1-1/4"	6-10
Carolina Wren	1-1/2"	6-10
Swallow	1-1/2"	10-15
Downy Woodpecker	1-1/4"	6-20
Hairy Woodpecker	1-1/2"	12-20
Purple Martin	special crescent	12-20
Crested Flycatcher	2"	8-20
Flicker	2-1/2"	6-20
Red-Headed Woodpecker	2"	12-20
Barn Swallow	OPEN SIDES	8-12
Phoebe	OPEN SIDES	8-12
Robin	OPEN SIDES	6-15

Information from Amishgourds

The following are some of the gourds I decorated and are available in my Handmade Artists Shop.

BirdHouse with Large Eagle Feathers

Gourd Birdhouse with eagle feathers wood burned on it.

Any bird would be proud to call this gourd birdhouse home. The entrance hole is 1 1/4 inches. Sealed for outdoor use, with drainage holes and ready to hang with a Copper hanger.

Approximate size: 11 1/2 inches tall by 5 inches wide

                                                

BirdHouse with Feathers Burned Around the Hole

Gourd birdhouse with copper hanger and decorated with wood burned feathers circling th hole.

Any bird would be proud to call this gourd birdhouse home. The entrance hole is 1 1/2 inches. Sealed for outdoor use, with drainage holes and ready to hang with a Copper hanger.

Approximate size: 10 inches tall by 5 1/2 inches wide


                                     

                                           Gourd BirdHouse with Butterfly Dragonfly and Bee

Gourd birdhouse with wood burned butterfly, dragonfly and bee.

Any bird would be proud to call this gourd birdhouse home. A butterfly,The entrance hole is 1 1/4 inches. Sealed for outdoor use, with drainage holes and ready to hang with a Copper hanger.

Approximate size: 6 1/2 inches tall by 5 1/2 inches wide

                                    

                                       Gourd Birdhouse with Butterflies Dragonflies and Bees

Gourd Birdhouse with wood burning.

Any bird would be proud to call this gourd birdhouse home. Butterflies, dragonflies and bees are burned on this lovely gourd bird house. The entrance hole is 1 3/4 inches. Sealed for outdoor use, with drainage holes and ready to hang with a wire hanger. 

Approximate size: 8 1/2 inches tall by 10 inches wide




Thank you for reading my post about gourd birdhouses. I hope you will invite some feathered friends into your world this spring. Please feel free to leave a comment below.