What Kind of Birdhouses Do Finches Like?

Tiny finches flit across lawns looking for food, and in the spring they will seek shelter for the breeding season that will be under way soon. Most people welcome these colorful visitors and enjoy them all season long. To coax these birds to stay for awhile, you must give them the proper housing. Some species of finches are not picky at all but the majority prefer a home with certain attributes, just like people.

  1. Materials

    • Whether you decide to use plywood, cedar or redwood is not as important to the finch as it will be to you. Wood is the sturdiest option for pairs of finches. Use wood that is at least ¾ inch thick to prevent too much heat transfer. Houses that get too hot from afternoon sun can harm the finches and their nestlings. Finches prefer homes that appear to be natural and blend into the landscape. Using colorful paints and decorative additions will spoil your hospitality and attract a different species of bird instead.

    Size

    • Finches prefer a home that looks natural.

      Dimensions of the birdhouse are important if you want to attract finches. Homes cannot be too large or too small and entrances must be large enough for the finch to enter and exit but small enough to discourage unwelcome visitors and predators. The house should be 6 inches by 6 inches with an entrance hole 4 inches from the bottom of the house. The entrance hole should be 2 inches in diameter.

    Important Bird House Features

    • You can prevent predatory animals or other birds from entering the house by constructing a predator guard. Drill the entrance hole at an angle or add a small piece of wood to the front of the house where the entry hole is to discourage predators and allow your finches to feel safer inside their seasonal home. Drill 1/4-inch holes in the corners of the birdhouse floor to give the home good drainage and prevent premature rotting of the wood. The roof of the birdhouse should have ¼-inch holes on each side to allow for good air circulation inside the house.

    Additional Enticements

    • To further entice finches, add a few nesting materials nearby. Place hair (human or animal), twigs, small pieces of string or yarn, feathers and dryer lint near the birdhouse to make shopping for nesting materials easier for the finches. Do not place the birdhouse too close to feeders. Too much traffic from other species will make the finches feel like they are living on a busy highway and they will choose a different location.