Should I Put Up A Birdhouse Or Bird Feeder?

If you’re planning to become a birdwatcher and can’t decide whether to put up a birdhouse or bird feeder in your backyard, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are some important considerations to keep in mind if you’re planning to invest in one of these items to turn your backyard into a little bird sanctuary.

What are Bird Houses?

A birdhouse is a small structure, usually made of wood, used to provide birds with a secure place to build nests during the nesting season. Sometimes, it’s also called a nest box, and bird watchers use it to attract cavity nesters.

Cavity nesters are small birds that build their nests in hidden and protected places such as a hole in a tree. A birdhouse also offers a secure place where these birds can raise their hatchlings.

Most birdhouses are made of wood to mimic the natural habitat of birds so that they can feel comfortable. You can also offer some nesting materials to encourage birds to build their nests in your birdhouse.

What are Bird Feeders?

Bird feeders are also small structures that bird watchers use to add bird food to attract different species of birds. These structures do not provide birds with shelter. The look of a bird feeder can be somewhat similar to a birdhouse, but its main purpose is to serve as an avenue for birds to eat.  

There are many different types of bird feeders that you can find in the market, including suet cages cylindrical, platform, flat, and tubular feeders. You can also buy specialized bird feeders that keep squirrels and other rodents at bay.

Birdwatchers who want to attract different bird species use platform bird feeders. However, a tubular feeder works the best for people who want to attract only 1 or 2 bird species at a time.

So, What’s the Difference?

The main difference between a birdhouse and a bird feeder is their basic function. A birdhouse provides birds with shelter, and a bird feeder is used to offer food to birds.

You will also notice that a birdhouse always has a big hole as an entrance, but a bird feeder doesn’t have one. Some bird feeders also have a slanted roof like a birdhouse, but they have a big open cavity to store food.

Bird feeders are also made with different materials such as metal, plastic, and wood, but a birdhouse is almost always made with wood.

Birds can’t enter a bird feeder as they’re enclosed boxes with little holes or slits from where birds can eat. They’re specially designed in a way that birds can’t access their inner side and can only be opened through the roof.

On the other hand, some birdhouses can’t be opened, and others have a backdoor that is used to clean the structure and remove the old abandoned nest.

Bird House Vs. Bird Feeder: Cost

You can find both bird feeders and birdhouses at a vast range of prices. Bird feeders are usually less expensive as compared to birdhouses. It’s also possible to find cheap birdhouses but highly decorative products are usually expensive.

Some people even hang them indoors just for ornamental purposes; that’s why they’re usually expensive. But bird feeders are always made for functional and practical purposes.

Bird House Vs. Bird Feeder: Location

Location is one of the most important factors for both bird feeders and birdhouses.

Bird House

Birds will not accept a birdhouse if you place it in an insecure spot. The height of the birdhouse also matters because some birds prefer to build their nests at a particular height.

It’s also not advisable to place 2 birdhouses next to each other because most birds like privacy. You should also place a birdhouse in a well-shaded spot without direct sunlight.

Additionally, birds also prefer the one that has some ventilation and drainage holes. Ventilation holes ensure cross-air ventilation and drainage holes allow rainwater to exit the structure easily.

Bird Feeder

Unlike birdhouses, you can place 2 or more bird feeders next to each other because most birds are sociable when it comes to eating habits. If your outdoor space has a lot of squirrels, consider using squirrel-proof bird feeders to keep them from eating bird food.

You can use different types of bird foods to add to your bird feeders. If you want to use a bird suet, make sure that you place your birdfeeder under a shaded spot. It will melt in direct sunlight and will go rancid quickly.

It’s also important to place bird feeders where there are no thorny or bird repellent bushes so that your feathered friends can easily feast at your feeders.

Bird House Vs. Bird Feeder: Maintenance

Maintaining bird feeders and birdhouses is very important. Not only does it ensure that birds keep returning to your backyard, but it also keeps them safe from health problems.

Bird House

If you are looking for a birdhouse, consider buying one that comes with a backdoor. It’ll allow you to clean the birdhouse by removing the old nest after the nesting season to get it ready for more birds.

Bird Feeder

On the other hand, you should first determine the bird species you want to attract to buy the right bird feeder. Keeping your bird feeder clean attracts more birds and also keeps them healthy.

Some bird species, such as finches, don’t like to eat from dirty bird feeders. So, make sure that you clean them at least twice a month.

So, Which One to Put in Your Yard?

Consider buying a birdhouse if you want to provide birds with a secure place where they can build nests and raise their hatchlings. On the other hand, consider buying a bird feeder if you just want to enjoy watching birds eating and chirping around.  

Regardless of your decision, make sure that you use the information discussed above to buy the right product that suits your needs the best. You might also want to check what is the perfect placement for a bird feeder in your backyard.