Wild Bird Shelters

by Marcy
(northern Virginia)

American Goldfinch

I would like to build a gazebo-type wild bird shelter (4 sided) to shelter both the birds and the bird food. I especially want it in the winter during the really cold and wet, snowy weather. (We live in northern Virginia.) My question is this: is there a down side to this idea? The feeders would be mounted under the overhang of the roof (which would be shingled) with roosting areas up under the roof above (but not overhanging) the feeders.

The posts holding up the roof would be "baffled" to keep intruders from climbing up to the feeders and roosting areas. There would be no walls or floor. The heated water source could also be under the shelter.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated!

Marcy from Northern Virginia

Hi Marcy

To provide a one “stop shop” for the needs of wild birds, is an idea that is often posed. It certainly does have its appeal.

There are feeders and bird watering combo systems available for purchase.

Your plan provides wild birds with 3 of their basic needs for survival; food, water and shelter. And your idea also proposes an element to provide for the fourth basic survival need; protection from predators, by mounting baffles on the pole.

But the unfortunate part of a plan like this is that the food and water are also lures for predators and not just the wild birds you are intending to shelter, feed, and/or water. To further complicate the situation, the little birds you are hoping to protect in the shelter from the elements, will also become a lure for predators.

It is better to provide wild bird shelters for roosting or homes for cavity nesters 5 to 10 feet from a food and/or water source. This distance allows the wild birds a chance to flee if a predator arrives on the scene from above or below. It also provides an opportunity for the song birds you want to attract to your food source or water, to survey the area for any predators before they go to your lunch table.

Bluebird houses like the one pictured here can be mounted upside down to be used as a roosting box. Perches can be installed or twigs inserted to provide a perch for the wild birds to sit on.
(More on roosting boxes and find out why it should be mounted upside down.)

The shelter you provide will also work better if it is hanging from a tree branch. A shelter can also be constructed by simply making a brush pile. A used Christmas tree works well or just pile branches and other foliage on top of one another to make a pile. This allows the little birds to hide from the line of sight of their enemies. Many wild creatures will use this simple shelter.

This distance also provides a short enough trek to the food and/or water source in severe weather and allows them to expend as little energy as possible to reach their meals. Conserving energy in this way to obtain their food allows them to use their energy to stay warm instead.

We have often had wild birds spend days in our cedar tree at the corner of our deck during stormy winter weather. The feeder is only about 4 feet from the outer branches of the tree so it is only a short hop over for them to refuel. One year we had 2 male Cardinals spend nearly a week together sheltering among the branches of the tree. They only ventured out to have a snack now and again as the winter winds tore through our area dumping piles of snow.

Another interesting factor to consider about man-made shelters is that they will not attract and be used by all birds. Many wild birds will simply perch on a branch that provides some protection from the elements. Some wild birds are solitary in their roosting habits and would only consider “buddying-up” for the night under severe conditions. The cavity nesters such as Chickadees, House Sparrows, and Nuthatches will likely be frequent visitors.

They may also decide to use your shelter not only as a roosting spot, but a welcome place to build their nest to raise their young the next spring. Location again is a key factor for consideration. If it is too close to a food source there is more chance a predator will be attracted to the eggs or the young nestlings after they hatch. A more experienced mother bird may not choose a site to build her nest close to a location that may draw danger. But a young mother bird may not have the maturity to make the best decision.

Marcy you have an excellent idea in your concept to build wild bird shelters and have obviously given it a lot of thought. I would love to hear how your experience turns out whatever you decide to do. Thank you for asking this most interesting question.