Where to hang a birdhouse
Don't commit too where to hang your birdhouse because a secure mounted area on a wall, fence post or if the birdhouse is strapped to a tree trunk would be the solution.
In response to a wild birds needs, where to hang a birdhouse would be within a tree which is where birds normally nest in the wild, tucked away in a comfortable cavity. Hang the birdhouse off a branch with an option to suspend it on a bracket mounted to a house or outbuilding, including an under eave position.
Keep in mind birds love a home that feels safe in which a birdhouse hung off a length of rope or a chain won't give birds the assurance they need.
Don't be surprised then to find out there's no uptake in your newly put up birdhouse, because as I've explained - a birdhouse made to be hung doesn't feel very natural to birds.
With that in mind, do consider a place to mount a birdhouse versus what is a surreal feeling - to nest in a birdhouse that is moving while feeling light under foot.
To continue to hang a birdhouse - where to hang it will be within a tree - but in a location that remains in reach. As once in a while you will want to check out the box to see if its hung securely still - while accessing the box is needed to eventually clean it out.
Low tree branch will do it but make sure its hung 8 feet minimum to keep out of reach of nuisance pets or dangerous wildlife who are attracted to birds, their young or the eggs.
When considering where to hang a birdhouse, its worth remembering its not an all bird species will take to it kind of thing - as all birds have their own needs and requirements. While still hanging, you could choose to hang a birdhouse from a tree limb; which will prevent a moving, spinning and swinging birdhouse, which is more desirable to birds.
Whereas where a birdhouse can be hung for a Bluebirds, absolutely are Bluebirds going to avoid it in favor of a birdhouse securely mounted to a post instead.
Where else you can consider as a safe place to hang a birdhouse is on a metal bracket mounted to the side of a structure, or use the eaves of the house or outbuilding to keep the hanging birdhouse under cover.
Hang off low branch
Priority of a hanging birdhouse if that is the route you wish to take, are for all tense and purposes is within a tree - for which is the only place where a birdhouse should be hung.
Personally, I wouldn't hang a birdhouse at all as stabilization is made near possible, yet remains a vital component when situating a birdhouse.
Birds don't like a moving birdhouse because it feels unsafe, thus there's a risk of your birdhouse never being used.
However, to hang a birdhouse off a tree branch for say Bluebirds can still be achieved with success - but only if done right with full stabilization at all times.
Keep it on a low branch because you are going to want be within reach of the birdhouse for cleaning it out come end of nesting season - all while allowing you to keep an eye on the condition of the box once in a while.
One of my top tips for hanging bird houses is on a strong, mature branch only where the chain, hanger or wire used to hang birdhouses - can loop around a thick tree branch.
Suspend on House bracket
I am not talking about the kind of bracket you put a bird feeder on mind you, this bracket would be normally used for hanging flower pots up to 6 feet high off the ground.
What this bracket would be hung off is on the wall or side panels of a house up to 8 feet high minimum... yet will still follow strict rules of hanging a birdhouse.
Remember, a birdhouse must avoid southerly winds while avoiding sun shining down on the box all day. With that, wherever you do hang the birdhouse, be sure it is hung in the opposite directly of prevailing winds while also avoiding direct sunshine.
Unfortunately, a birdhouse is normally made to be mounted to a tough wooden post impaled into the ground, or indeed affixed to the side of the house. Where the bird house is suspended, do be sure the bird house color theme matches its location to keep it discreet but still visible and accessible to bird house birds.
With that in mind, additional fixings or hardware are unavailable with any bought in-store birdhouse; thus you'd need to make your own arrangements for hanging the birdhouse off the bracket - or indeed a tree branch.
To hang a birdhouse on a bracket or tree branch you'd need to fasten a length of plastic coated wire or steel wire onto the box, all while throwing it around the bracket or low branch to hang.
Birdhouse hung 8 feet minimum
Its easy to forget when figuring out where to place a bird house that its not in its preferred spot - and where that spot is off a branch or bracket - but the height off the ground may only a be a second thought.
Well, don't let it be because if nesting birds are going to remain safe while staying in the box come spring time - they need to be out of reach of predators wishing to do harm - or it could be the neighbors cat wanting to hunt the birds.
To keep all common backyard bird house birds safe at all times, do hang the bird house at a minimum height of 8 feet off the ground.
Make it eight-feet to first accommodate most common bird house birds, while a foot or more higher can be an option.
Bluebird houses are hung between 4 to 6 feet only which is the case for many birds, thus its worth lowering the bird house position if you can guarantee their safety - while remembering of course Bluebirds can nest in a box a few more feet higher if you must.
Hang any birdhouse at a minimum of 8 feet to be out of reach of all animals wishing to do the occupants harm.
But remember its safer to hang a birdhouse up on a wall bracket with no way of animals climbing - while a tree branch can open up the birdhouse to all kinds of trouble.
Position under eaves
My final idea for where to hang a birdhouse would be under cover of a eave which can be beneath your house roof overhang or if can be a backyard structure.
Positioning a bird house under an eave mostly resonates to American Robins, only we won't get them into a birdhouse, with the option being an open cup.
Birds who potentially nest in birdhouses situated, but hanging under an eave may possibly be Sparrows, Starlings, Eastern Phoebes.
I can't guarantee any of these bird species will take to trusting a hanging birdhouse, thus it doesn't hurt to consider mounting the birdhouse rather than hanging it.
One major bird house requirement is always a way of mounting a birdhouse; so if you are ready to affix your birdhouse it should provide the necessary screws or fixings for mounting.
To keep the birdhouse out of sun while avoiding strong winds with severe weather conditions - consider hanging a birdhouse under the eaves but only if the birdhouse can indeed remain stable in all conditions.
Conclusion
Why you should first consider hanging a bird house on a tree branch is because most birdhouse birds choose to nest in a tree in the wild.
Downside is birds will nest in a comfortable cavity in a tree, thus you can't be surprised if no birds take up your offer of a hanging birdhouse.
To continue giving it a go regardless, your only priority at this point is to make sure a birdhouse that is hung, feels like a birdhouse mounted on a wall. As birds won't take to a swinging, twisting birdhouse... so its imperative its remains steady.
Not just a little steady once in a while, I mean you must stabilize the birdhouse in a way that it continues to keep birds happy over the course of their nesting season.
Pick a low down branch to hang your birdhouse off, as it continuous to be within reach so you can inspect it for issues, while accessing it when birds have left so it can be cleaned.
Second option of where to hang a birdhouse would be on a metal bracket mounted to the side of a house or outbuilding.
It must be a side of the building that avoids most of the sun plus the prevailing winds, thus a north, north/east facing birdhouse is what your after.
Regardless of where you decide to hang your birdhouse, remember it must be a minimum of 8 feet off the ground to keep the occupants out of reach of predators or nuisance visiting cats.
And to be sure of safety, positioning the birdhouse under the house or outbuilding eave can guarantee shade and sever weather shelter - all while keeping the birdhouse well off the ground.
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