Page 42 - North Haven Magazine Issue 33 Spring 2024

TYPES OF
BIRDHOUSES

AND THEIR OCCUPANTS!

by Ryan Zipp

pring is an exciting time filled with longer
Sdays, rising temperatures, budding blos- As with everything we carry in our store The
soms, and of course songbirds beginning Fat Robin we try our best to stock as many
their annual nesting process. Their main fo- made in USA items as we possibly can and
cus is always to find the safest location to lay we have great options from companies all
their eggs and for those birds that are cavity around the country making them for us.
nesters we can help them out! These birds Woodys birdhouses are made just north in
will use birdhouses to build their nests in, as Monson, MA from a one man operation
they mimic natural cavities they would find and we have been stocking them since the
naturally in trees out in the wild. day we opened. Heartwood birdhouses
come to us from down in Mississippi and
The species of birds that are likely to use a feature so many unique designs that they've
birdhouse you put up here in Connecticut been a customer favorite for years. Nature
include: House Wren, Black-capped Creations birdhouses are made from old
Chickadee, House Sparrow, Eastern barns & farmhouses out in Southeastern
Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Tufted Titmouse Illinois and showcase some amazing rustic
& White-breasted Nuthatch. A number of designs that aren't only eye catching, but also
factors come into play when determining if fully functional. And the newest addition
a specific bird will use a house including size to our lineup are from a company called
of hole opening, location in your yard and The House Wrens & Black-capped Gourdaments out of New York state and
way in which it is attached. Chickadees can use birdhouses with a like the name suggests, are birdhouses made
smaller 1.125” hole opening that will only from gourds that can be hung anywhere in
your yard.
allow either of them and not any other
larger birds inside. Both of these birds also
will use a birdhouse that is hanging from a
tree branch or shepherds hook pole, unlike
the Bluebirds & Tree Swallows that need a
house attached firmly to a pole. The House
Wrens are probably the most common of
the cavity nesting birds around here that
will use a birdhouse. They are a tiny brown
bird measuring a little over 4” long and
their short tail is often cocked up in the air.
You'll know if you have one of them in your
birdhouse if you see it filled up with sticks
When attempting to attract both Eastern and twigs! House Sparrows are the other
most common bird around here that will
Bluebirds & Tree Swallows, a birdhouse with use a birdhouse besides the House Wren.
a hole opening of 1.5” is needed in order for They need a hole opening of 1.5” like the Stop down into our store The Fat Robin to
these birds to fit inside. They also both want Bluebirds, but aren't nearly as picky about view our great selection of birdhouses, poles
the house to be attached to a pole out in the the where the birdhouse is located. and any other bird feeding or birdwatching
middle of whatever open area you have since needs! We've been helping our customers
they are most commonly found in fields, Although not as common in birdhouses as enjoy the natural world around them for 27
golf courses, and any other larger open the others mentioned above, there is always years now and can get your setup with the
spaces. The Bluebirds will start their nesting the possibility of getting Tufted Titmouse perfect birdhouse in your yard today.
process in early April and often produce or White-breasted Nuthatch to nest in
multiple broods throughout their nesting a birdhouse as well. Although we don't Ryan Zipp is a co-owner of The Fat Robin
season. Tree Swallows will start showing typically recommend attaching a birdhouse Wild Bird & Nature Shop (www.fatrobin.
up here in the beginning of April and then to a tree because it is more susceptible to com) located at 3000 Whitney Ave.
begin nesting a few weeks after. We have a predators, this seems to be the location that Hamden, CT 06518
number of “Bluebird” birdhouses that are these birds prefer. Although they can fit
all made in the USA here at The Fat Robin into a house with a 1.25” opening, we don't
as well as accompanying pole options to get stock any with this size so the standard 1.5”
them mounted in your yard. Bluebird sized house would work just fine
for them.

42 North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2024