Alexandra Ramirez
Adding a birdhouse to your yard can be a great addition to any outdoor space. A bird house can provide a welcoming environment to the wildlife around your home and be a fun addition to your yard as well.
There are lots of different bird house kits out there and through our research we determined that the Woodlink Audubon Traditional Wren House Model was our top overall pick. We even developed a detailed buying guide to help shoppers like you find the best bird house kit to fit your individual needs.
1. Woodlink
Best Overall Bird House Kit
5/5 Product Rating
This bird house kit won the spot for our best overall bird house kit because it is not only designed to specifically welcome in the bird species that you want, but deter other birds from finding their way into the house. This bird house kit has a cozy entrance hole that makes it inviting to wrens and chickadees—but deter other species like sparrows from coming inside.
This durable bird house kit has a ventilation gap in the front to bring in proper airflow for the inhabitants and prevent the birds from suffocating or overheating. However, while breathable, this house is also highly resistant to the elements and is connected with screws instead of nails. This not only make sure house more durable but able to withstand drastic temperature changes.
Another unique feature of this bird house is that once constructed, this bird house kit has drainage slots at the bottom that will prevent water from building up inside. This bird house kit comes pre-assembled and can easily be hung from a hook or a tree branch in minutes.
– Jennifer Abel
2. MorTime
Best Cedar Bird House Kit
4.8/5 Product Rating
Cedar bird house kits are a popular option for many yards. This is because cedar is notoriously durable and able to withstand the elements. However, cedar is also generally more expensive than other forms of wood, which is important to remember when looking for a new bird house kit for your home. Another feature that makes this bird house even more durable and great for areas that are prone to inclement weather is that it also has a metal roof and is completely weather resistant.
Other unique features of this cedar bird house include the pull-out lockable front door and slide out metal and wire tray—this makes clean up even easier with this bird house. This bird house kit comes with optional metal guards you can add to the house and a perforated tray that makes drainage simple. This also helps prevent mold and bacteria from forming inside the house.
There is no assembly required with this bird house, just attach it to a pole, tree or hook and get ready for the birds to come in.
– Jennifer Abel
3. Toysmith
Best Paintable Bird House Kit
4.5/5 Product Rating
Paintable bird house kits are great for those who like DIY projects and a fun activity for kids. This way you can create a custom look for your bird house before you hand it outside. We love this paintable birdhouse kit, because you don’t need to assemble it—which means you can focus more time on painting the house to look just the way you like.
The birdhouse comes with four different paint colors and a paint brush and is perfect for kids age 5 and up. Other features of this bird house kit is that it comes with a snug hole to allow species such as Wrens in, and Sparrows out, and it comes with a durable link chain for hanging the bird house on tree branches or hooks.
– Jennifer Abel
Bird House Kit Buying Guide
Although they are a popular kid craft, bird house kits aren’t just for young people—they are for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. If you are looking to buy a new bird house kit, you will find that some of these kits come pre-assembled, others come ready to paint, and some require detailed assembly. No matter what you are looking for when it comes to your bird house kits, there are a number of features to consider when shopping for one of these products. This is why we have developed a detailed buying guide to help you differentiate between the different types of bird house kits out there to find one that meets your needs.
Assembly
Before you buy a new bird house kit, you need to take a look at the assembly requirements of the bird house you are buying. There are a few things to remember with these bird house kits. There are some bird houses that are meant to be craft projects and to be assembled almost entirely from scratch. This is a great option if you are looking for a project to do for fun. However, with these bird house kits, they may not be as durable or weather resistant as other bird houses, since they are assembled by the buyer, not pre-assembled.
If you are not in the mood for a project, there are plenty of bird house kits that come pre-assembled. Typically, all you need to do is to add a chain or hook so that you can attach the bird house to a branch, post or hook outside your home.
Another thing to consider is weather or not the birdhouse is paintable. There are some bird houses that come sealed and covered and that can’t be painted at all. There are others that come unfinished or that come with included painting supplies so you can paint the birdhouse exactly to your own requirements—again this is a great option if you are making a birdhouse with a child or looking for a craft project.
Materials Used
The materials used to create a birdhouse is an important feature to look for. When it comes to wood birdhouses, typically cedar are the most durable of the options. However, they can also be more expensive than your standard wood bird houses.
There are also many bird houses that are also crafted with metal elements. Typically, metals are used on the roof to add more protection to the exterior of the bird house, or for the interior trays, which can come in handy when cleaning out the birdhouse. Pay close attention to the material used in the birdhouse construction as it can make all the difference in the quality and durability of birdhouse.
One of the best areas to look for metal elements Is around the outside of the hole entrance of the birdhouse. Metal or stainless steel anti-bite blocks are designed to deter any predators from trying to get their jaws on the outside of the bird house. This is a great way to help protect the birds that decide to call your bird house home.
Species-Specific Design
Not all bird houses are created equal and not all of these bird house kits are designed to attract the same type of bird. You need to look at what types of birds are typical in your yard and in the area you are planning on putting your birdhouse and paying close attention to species-specific design of that house. For example, there are some birdhouses that have smaller, cozy entrance holes that are designed to invite birds like wrens in. Bird houses with more open designs and outside perches are more prone to attract species like sparrows. The best bird house kits are not only designed with one specific type of bird in mind, but meant to detract other species and animals from using the house as well, so you can not only make a comfortable environment for the birds you are looking to house, but keep their area safe as well.
Durability
Durability is one of the most important elements of any bird house. You want your bird house to be able to withstand the elements, so make sure to pay close attention to weather or not the bird house is weather proof. Not all bird houses are designed to withstand wind, snow and rain. However, it is important to look at more than just the exterior coating when it comes to determining whether or not the bird house is weather-resistant.
Another great feature to look for is whether or not the bird house has a drainage system in it. When bird houses have drains in the bottom of them, they can easily get rid of water and other liquid build up in the bottom of the birdhouse. This is another element that will help extend the life of your birdhouse. It also helps keep the birdhouse clean and hygienic, which is not only better for the house but better for the birds as well.
If you buy a pre-assembled birdhouse, you will also want to look at the screws used in the construction of this birdhouse. Look for bird houses that use screws rather than nails as this can help the birdhouse withstand drastic temperature changes, so your birdhouse can stay out in the elements, no matter what season it may be and still stay strong.
Conclusion
With the right bird house kit, you can easily create a durable, long-lasting outdoor retreat for birds in your area. Whether you prefer to make it a craft project or are just looking for a pre-assembled birdhouse to add to your yard, there are so many different types of kits out there—all of which can provide you with the quality bird housing structure you are looking for. Make sure to review our detailed buying guide and our top-rated bird house kits to learn more about how to make sure you get the best bird house for your money.
