Without a doubt, birds do use birdhouses in the winter. They’re comfy, warm spots where birds can rest, relax, and roost. In fact, a birdhouse can literally be a life saver for birds on a brutishly cold winter day!
However, for a birdhouse to provide the utmost shelter for birds, you may want to prepare the birdhouse for winter – and that’s pretty easy as long as you know how!
Do Birds Use Birdhouses in the Winter?
Birds use birdhouses in the winter, but this is actually one of the prime times that they need birdhouses.
Even though birds are surprisingly hardy living creatures (in some ways), they can only take so much in the way of cold or turbulent weather.
They are also vulnerable to become an owl or other night critters dinner, if they are indeed sleeping in trees at night (without a birdhouse to keep them safe and sheltered).
As a friend to your feathered little friends, you’ve helped out by having a birdhouse or two available all year long, and making it nice and warm for them in the winter!
Do Birds Reuse Birdhouses?
While some birds make use of their nests over and over, others do not.
Some will use a bird house again if they liked it in the past, although we can’t guarantee it!
A nice way to make your favored bird couple stop by again is to clean out the birdhouse at the end of the year.
You could also clean the birdhouse out again once the winter birds leave (that’s a total of two important cleanings you should do!)
A great tip: if you want to help ensure that your birdhouse is use (and potentially reused) hanging a bird feeder is a great way to do it! It’s hard for wild birds to resist the intoxicating lure of both home and shelter!
How to Keep a Birdhouse Warm in the Winter
There are unique strategies that you can do to make your birdhouses significantly warmer, to ensure your little feathered buddies stay toasty this winter.
Check it out!
1. Put Hay on the Birdhouse Floor
If you want your birdhouse to be well insulated, using soft and dry hay on the floor can help a great deal.
The hay itself will retain heat and help block any cold air from coming inside.
Additionally, birds enjoy hay and similar nesting material, so they’ll be snug as a bug in a rug!
2. Seal Any Cracks in the Birdhouse Off
As in our own house we might have cracked windows or whatever that allow drafts of cold air inside.
Birdhouses are often not airtight since many are made for the spring and summer months (when it gets a little stuffy and hot for birds).
However, you can always stuff foam, cloth, or duct tape in and above any cracks, to seal the birdhouse!
3. Face the Birdhouse Away From the Wind
If possible, try your best to situate your birdhouse in an area that will protect against the wind.
You definitely do not want to have icy air blowing directly through the door! Near the house or a fence would be great for shelter!
Just remember to keep the birdhouse up high and out of reach of any predators!
4. Give Your Birdhouse Maximum Sunlight
While protecting your winter birdhouse from the wind, you don’t want to mistakenly end up putting it in the shade.
Doing so will deprive it of the critically essential warmth of the sun adding to a much colder birdhouse!
5. Find Birdhouse with a Low-Down Door
Look for a birdhouse that has an entrance at a lower height if you have a choice.
Since heat rises, it helps to prevent heat from escaping from the entrance if it is at a lower height.
Thus, a lower entrance allows the birdhouse to retain heat just a little better!
Birds You Might See In the Winter (What Nesting Box to Get)
As you may know, depending on your location, you may see a number of new birds in the winter!
For example, if you live in a Northern area, the majority of the warm-season birds fly south for the winter!
So, doves, robins, and hawks are replaced by nuthatches, chickadees, and maybe even a Northern Flicker (not necessarily a sea gull!).
So, you will want to plan winter birdhouses for winter birds specifically (the size, door location, etc.).
Foods to Provide Birds in the Winter
During the winter months birds are going to appreciate food more than ever!
Plants are not seeding or fruiting, so food may be somewhat sparse.
Among birds, black sunflower seeds and millet are a favorite! These are extremely fatty and calorie-laden, so they really get the most bang for their buck!
For drinking, birds would also appreciate a source of water that is kept heated!
While it can be true that birds may occasionally survive on their own when food becomes low, there is no reason not to make things easier on them! Winter birds will undoubtedly be extremely grateful for an opportunity to fill their bellies and refuel!
Some may even cozy up and take residence in your nesting box!
Conclusion
It is clear that birds will use and value birdhouses in the winter.
There are more ways that you can ensure the boxes are sufficient for birds, warm and giving ideal shelter for winter.