Recommended by The Backyard Naturalist
The Backyard Naturalist stocks a variety of books and other resources about bird houses created for birders of every age or level of interest.
Why We Recommend Specific Books about Bird Houses
We only recommend books about bird houses that are written by the experts— to help you succeed as a wild bird host. This page includes some of our top picks, but we have many more favorite books in stock! These well-respected experts cover subjects including:
- How to build your own bird home
- Ways to attract and support bird families in your backyard habitat
- Guides to help enrich your birding experience
- How to monitor your bird houses
- The best methods for maintaining a healthy bird house or nest box
In summary, these books contain some of the best advice available!
Other Resources About Bird Houses We Recommend
We also have other books about birds, their houses and habitats including a special selection for children of every age and interest. Our kids section is always filled with variety of fun and educational books, activity kits, puppets and games.
Tell us about your birds and we can recommend which book(s) will help you get the most joy from your backyard birding experience. Our goal is not only to help you succeed as a wild bird ‘landlord’ but also to help maximize your joy while minimizing your effort! Stop by the store and tell us about your backyard birds. We’ll give you our best advice (always free!) and recommend the best resources for you and your birds.
The Complete Birdhouse Book: The Easy Guide to Attracting Nesting Birds
by Donald and Lillian Stokes
Copiously illustrated with line drawings and full-color photographs, this large format paperback book contains the essential information that backyard nature enthusiasts want and need — to build and seek out birdhouses, including the right birdhouse for many popular species .
Bird Watchers Digest 407 The Original Birdhouse Book
by Don McNeil
The original birdhouse book is for the birds and everyone who loves them. Novice and experienced woodworkers will enjoy the easy to understand plans for 26 birdhouses, feeders, and baffles. Each chapter describes species-specific houses, boxes, and shelves, but also offers information about that particular bird’s appearance, range, nesting habits, and unusual characteristics. A special chapter is devoted to methods of discouraging predators and aggressive birds such as starlings and house sparrows.
Audubon Birdhouse Book – Building and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds
by Margaret A. Barker and Elissa Wolfson
“North American native birds are picky homeowners. Barker (coauthor, The Feeder Watcher’s Guide to Bird Feeding) and freelance writer Wolfson present a useful guide perfect for backyard bird watchers. The book starts with historical content on invasive species, introduced predators, and habitat loss. In addition, readers will find territory maps and material on bird food sources and identification. These projects cover all skill levels and are enhanced by wonderful illustrations. Contributor Chris Willett, a carpenter, provides clear blueprints with exploded views and detailed cut lists. Like Birdhouses You Can Build in a Day, this informative volume tailors designs to specific species. However, what sets this work apart is the inclusion of research and scientific study results on what makes a home suitable for a particular type of bird. VERDICT The designs here are for enthusiasts who prefer to serve the needs of the birds rather than human aesthetics. This well-organized and meticulously researched book is a winner.” — Library Journal
Peterson Field Guide to Bird Homes and Habitats
by Bill Thompson III
From Booklist
*Starred Review* The author of The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America (2012) and editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest presents a how-to guide on making yards and gardens all over the country more bird-friendly. Beginning with the top-10 things that attract birds to the yard, the author then points out that enjoying the birds attracted to the yard is enhanced by simple things like purchasing a pair of binoculars or adding a water feature. Improving the yard to attract nesting birds involves both planting the correct species for the area and the creation of nest boxes, which leads to a series of profiles of birds that will use either natural cavities or nest boxes. A fine chapter with troubleshooting tips and the answers to frequently asked questions is followed by profiles of 15 “all stars” who have created wonderful backyard bird habitats in various regions of the country. This terrific primer will help all who want to move from a manicured lawn to a backyard bird paradise. — Nancy Bent
Woodworking for Wildlife – Homes for Birds and Animals
by Carrol L. Henderson
Published by Nongame Wildlife Program, Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources
Woodworking for Wildlife is the perfect resource for any handy person who enjoys attracting wildlife to his or her backyard. With all the latest information on how to attract everything from bluebirds, chickadees, purple martins, and wood ducks to bumblebees, toads, owls, and woodpeckers, the book features thirty designs for nest boxes and nest platforms that will accommodate forty-six species of wildlife. It provides easy-to-follow diagrams for cutting out and assembling the nest boxes, accompanied by over three hundred beautiful color photographs.
Woodworking for Wildlife is a particularly good reference for backyard wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, youth group leaders, teachers, woodworking instructors, and parents and grandparents who are looking for outdoor projects to do with children.
A Guide to Bird Homes – Nesting & Roosting Space for Your Backyard Birds
by Scott Shalaway – From Bird Watcher’s Digest Backyard Booklet Series
A 32-page guide chock full of straight-forward information! Find out what different species of cavity nesters are seeking when choosing to nest. Color photographs, info graphics and useful tips based on Scott Shalaway’s years of backyard study and experience.
Resources About Bird Houses on Our Website
If you’re looking for quick advice about bird houses, we have these resource pages for you:
How to Choose the Right Bird House – Some simple guidelines to get you going!
How to Place & Maintain Bird Houses – General tips about bird house placement, maintenance and strategy to help you be a great host!
After reading books about bird houses, are you ready to buy a bird house? The Backyard Naturalist can recommend the ‘anatomically correct’ house for your backyard birds. See some of our favorites here or stop by the store and tell us about the birds you’re seeing in your backyard.
