The History of Wooden Bird Houses
- Wooden birdhouses were first seen in the frame work of ancient buildings during Turkey's pre-Ottoman Empire. They were made from wood and created to protect the birds from wind and rain. The design of these birdhouses was often very similar to the architecture style of that time which makes it easy to date them.
- The birdhouses built in Europe were used not as a shelter for birds, but instead to collect eggs or trap the birds for food. Although often made of wood, they were also made of a mixture of clay and sticks. They were designed to closely resemble natural nests so the birds would be encouraged to lay their eggs there.
- In addition to using hollowed gourds for birdhouses, Native American birdhouses were also often made out of wood. In addition to providing shelter for the birds, they also served as a nesting area for them to breed. These wooden birdhouses were simple structures made from the bark of birch trees with a platform that also served as a feeder.
- The wooden birdhouse design found in North America today was originally used by German immigrants who learned from the indigenous people they met while moving to the eastern part of the United States in the 18th century. Over the years, the design has been changed and improved upon, with some wooden bird houses made to resemble today's architecture and specific structures such as schools, churches and stores.