Bird boxes help to replace habitat for birds in areas where nesting spots have been lost due to human activity. Cavity-nesting birds once built their homes in holes in standing dead trees (snags), but many of these ideal locations have been destroyed.

Bird species have different, but specific, ideas of where to build a safe, warm, and successful nest. Birds will not use boxes that do not conform to what they might find in nature. The size the opening is important because it prevents non-native bird species like the starling and the house sparrow from using the box. The size and placement of a birdhouse may also prevent predators, which are sometimes larger birds, from eating the eggs.

The listed bird box dimensions are based on years of study. Birds want their eggs to be warm and secure. Large cavities in which their eggs might roll around or be exposed to cold are less desirable. Birds also want small spaces so that as their young grow up, they become uncomfortable and leave the nest. How's that for a parenting technique!

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