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Hanging your birdhouse from a branch or from your home is not recommended, as birds do not like when birdhouses sway in the wind. If there are poles or natural structures in the area, mount the birdhouse to one of them. Mounting it to an existing metal pole, or drilling it into the side of a barn or wood building are both great ways to set up a birdhouse. Mounting the birdhouse to an existing metal pole also protects the birdhouse from predators. Although this is not a necessity, birds are more attracted to birdhouses that receive natural sunlight in the mornings. Facing the birdhouse toward the east will also keep it from getting too hot in the afternoon, especially during the summer months or in hotter climates. Mounting the birdhouse at this level will make it easier for you to clean it out when necessary, and will also keep it away from most predators. Do not hang or mount your birdhouse lower than 5 feet (1.5 m), but feel free to mount it as high as 12 feet (3.7 m). The height range depends on the bird, so keep track of which birds are able to reach your birdhouse and make adjustments if need be. Keeping your birdhouse safe from weather will ensure that it lasts and that the birds are protected from rain or snow while they visit. Whether you hang the birdhouse or set it on a pole, keep it under some kind of existing overhang to prevent it from being damaged.
Mount the birdhouse to a pole or to the side of a building. Face the birdhouse east. Keep the birdhouse at least 5 feet (1.5 m) off the ground. Hang or set the birdhouse under an awning, roof overhang, or eaves.