You can buy a decorative bird house from almost any garden shop or online. There are many online stores selling only bird houses and you will be amazed at the number of styles available.

Before you buy one though you should look for several things that are of great importance. The bird house should be made of wood or other natural material. It should be pest free and not treated with any chemicals. If it is painted make sure the pain is water based. These are all important factors and the decorative bird houses sometimes sacrifice them in favor of a great design and architecture.

If you are after a fully functional bird house than most of the above issues will be covered. The next worry will be where to hang the bird house.

Some people make the mistake to install a bird house on a place of their preference. It might be nice to have it directly next to your porch door but you may not attract any birds by doing so. You have to decide if you want the bird house as a decor enhancement or you want it for birds nesting.

If you want to attract birds, than place it accordingly. Each bird type prefers different bird house placement. Some birds such as Bluebirds and Swallows prefer open areas and fields, while other such as Woodpeckers and Owls prefer forested areas. Water birds such as ducks will love a bird house facing a lake or a stream. The same rule is valid for Purple Martins. Titmice, Nuthatches, Kestrels, Flycatchers and Chickadees will like a bird house placed on the edge of a forested area. If you want a bird type living directly into your garden, than get a bird house for Finches. They live pre4fectly near the house.

If you are placing more than one bird house consider the territory of each bird type. Some birds establish a territory and do not let other birds to enter it. If you place more than one bird house too chose you risk one of them to be empty. Check what is the typical territory for each bird specie and than distribute the bird houses.

Finally you can add some feeders near the decorative bird houses. This will invite birds to come as they will have plenty of food to raise their families.