Your Backyard Needs One of These Cute Birdhouses

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If you haven't yet noticed, birds are having a bit of a moment, with one-third of American adults identifying as bird-watchers and the birdwatching pastime generating more than 3 billion views on TikTok (#birdtok). There are even smart bird feeder cameras nowadays so you can check in on your feathered friends at all times! If you're getting into the hobby, no doubt you've considered introducing a birdhouse to your backyard.

Before signing up to become a little-bird landlord, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. for starters, not all species will nest in a birdhouse. For optimal backyard birdwatching, you'll want to set up a mix of birdhouses and bird feeders, as well as a few plants that attract birds, to attract a flurry of feathered friends (and don't forget the hummingbirds!).

To add to this, even birds who will nest in houses don't all enjoy the same type of house. For instance, many owls prefer a nesting box versus a traditional bird house. If there's a specific bird you're hoping to attract, you'll want to identify what house type they love the most before buying.

Take a beak at our top birding stories:

• The Best Spots to Go Birdwatching Around America (Who knew New York's Central Park was home to 280 species?!)

• The Best Birdwatching Gifts for Your Favorite Birders (We're feeling the embroidered baseball hat)

Here are a few other things to remember before inviting avian acquaintances for an extended stay:

Remember: Basic is best.

First, know that serious birders refer to birdhouses as nest boxes, and they tend to gravitate toward simple birdhouses made from unfinished wood, which more closely mimics the tree cavity where birds would typically nest in the wild. (Avoid plastic or chemically treated wood.) Birds also prefer structures that blend into the environment, so if the nest box is painted, earth tones (grey, green, brown) are your best bet. In short, if attracting birds is your primary goal, you don't need to get fancy.

Consider the bird type.

At the outset, it helps to brush up on the birds in your area, and which ones you'd like to attract, as that will help inform what size hole you'll need to accommodate your new feathered friends. (For smaller songbirds, a 1 1/2-inch hole is common.) If you have no idea what you're in for, the "NestWatch" tool from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a very helpful starting point. Simply select your region (Southeast, Mountain Prairie, etc.) and habitat (Town, Shore, Forest, and so on) and you'll be presented with the birds you're likely to encounter along with tips related to where to post your nesting box. (For example, a Mourning Dove prefers a live tree, while a Barn Swallow prefers a box mounted to a building.)

Prepare for weather.

To create a welcoming (and dry!) little refuge, look for walls that are at least 3/4-inch wide and have watertight seams. A roof that slopes over the sides can help keep out rain while also deterring pesky predators from reaching in over the top.

Skip the perch.

Perches allow predators easier access to the box, and your birds don't really need it.

Read the fine print.

If you're hoping for more of a whimsical addition to the backyard, there are plenty of quirky offerings that fill the bill, but know that some so-called birdhouses you'll find on the internet are for "decorative purposes only," so read the fine print before you fall in love with that taco truck birdhouse. Once you've confirmed the structure is inhabitable, know that it may take a little longer for a new winged friend to settle in, but when a bird finally does flutter on over to that tiny tavern, oh what a memorable day that will be! If a tavern isn't quite your speed, you can also opt for a Shakespearean-style thatched cottage or, better yet, commission a custom replica of your own house.

The Best Birdhouses

Here, ordered from most no-nonsense to terrifically over-the-top, are our editors' favorite picks based on professional expertise (including the above considerations), reviewer feedback, and—always important—pure country charm.

Cedar Bluebird Viewing House

Made with rot-resistant premium Cedar and stainless steel rust-free hardware, this durable house will get you through multiple seasons. A stay-clear, crack-resistant viewing window allows for nest viewing (fun for kids!) while protecting the young.

Camera-Equipped Smart Birdhouse

This one looks like your basic birder-approved nest box but it comes with a smart camera so you can stay up to speed on their every move. (Warning: You will become obsessed and birdwatching may become your whole identity.)

New England-Style Birdhouse

This charmer has a simple silhouette like the others but a little more stylistic oomph if that's something you care about.

Clean-Lined Birdhouse

Available in three colors (purple, green, and lake blue), this chirpy little charmer is made in the U.S.A. from durable recycled materials.

White Bird House

The Verdigris finish on the pure copper patterned roof is what gives this simple structure pretty polish.

Brushwood Birdhouse

Easy to hang, this brushwood structure is a good pick for small cavity dwellers including wrens, finches, and chickadees.

Log Birdhouse

This stump-inspired structure is ideal for more rustic settings like a lake house, mountain cabin, or the Dutton family ranch.

Raindrop Woven Birdhouse

Constructed using wicker and vibrant green moss, this natural terrarium is suited for birds as well as snakes, geckos, and frogs if that's more of your thing.

Bamboo Birdhouse

Available in four earthy, on-trend hues, this modern-leaning birdhouse is for the coolest bird on the block. (But like, effortlessly cool.)

Midcentury Modern Birdhouse

Made in Vermont, this house—one of many midcentury-style options—is sized for a wide variety of North American nesting birds (nuthatches, wrens, finches...). It also includes an easy-access clean-out port in the back, for seasonal vacuuming.

Simple Farmhouse Birdhouse

For those who crave the charm of a house silhouette, this roomy pick delivers without going quite as over the top as some.

Woven Birdhouse

Made from locally sourced rope, wicker, and twigs, this thatched bungalow is perfect for the bird who wears kaftans and drinks kombucha.

Shingle-Roofed Birdhouse

With thick cedar shingles and copper borders, "Starlight Lodge" feels right at home in a more formal setting and consistently gets five stars from past purchasers.

Coffee Lovers Birdhouse

You didn't know you were looking for a fly-thru coffee shop until you saw it, right? That's the beautiful thing about the internet. (You can also opt for a Tiny Tim Horton's if that's more your cup of tea...or joe.)

Retro Motel Birdhouse

It's the little matchbook car parked out front that really seals the deal.

Hand-Painted Birdhouse

Meticulously crafted with exterior paints, this sweet house can accommodate wrens, sparrows, chickadees, titmice, and other small birds. There's also a bakery and a flower shop option if you want to create your own little bird Main Street.

Yellow Barn Birdhouse

Handmade by Amish craftsmen in Pennsylvania, this sturdy structure comes in seven colors including—our favorite!—this cheerfully chirpy yellow.

Rustic Wooden Barn Birdhouse

What, you thought there'd only be one barn birdhouse in a Country Living roundup? Tsk, tsk...

Thatched Roof Birdhouse

To tweet or not to tweet? When birds can seek the safety of their own Shakespearean cottage, the answer is an affirmative.

Tavern Birdhouse

Sometimes birds need to let off a little steam at the local pub. (We blame the squirrels.) This one can even be customized with your preferred proprietor's name.

Classic Colonial Birdhouse

That teensy porch! Those window boxes! The welcoming red door! But seriously when can we move in?

Southern-Style Birdhouse

If you've dreamt about buying a home along Charleston's Battery, this stately double porcher is the next best thing. We like to imagine there's a tiny TV inside where the birds can binge-watch Southern Charm.

Amish Barn Birdhouse

Inspired by the iconic Star Barn near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this sizable 19" H x 18” W x 8“ D structure is composed of exterior grade plywood, black-painted pine shingles, and a river stone foundation.

Nantucket Birdhouse

Come for the Widow's walk, stay for the roomy three-story interior. (Also noteworthy: No assembly required.)

Mansion Birdhouse

Made of solid pine wood, this roomy 12.5 in x 15.5 in x 9 "wrension" features a sweet scalloped roof and charming picket fence. To keep its curb appeal, the manufacturer suggests applying a high UV rate poly-urethane.

*But, like, a tasteful wrension

Custom House Replica Birdhouse

Talk about the perfect gift! This West Virginia-based Etsy seller uses your supplied images (or Google street view) to create a birdhouse based on your own home. Pricing varies based on the house, but the range is typically between $300 and $1500.

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