25 Best Birdhouses for Budding Birdwatchers

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.