Unfinished birdhouses are often the primary choice for the birds and should be on the top of our list if we want to entice and protect our favorite wild birds. When your favorite cavity nesting birds are searching for a comfortable new dwelling in a natural setting, they typically find a suitable hole in a live tree or storm-damaged timber. Why would we think birds prefer a brightly painted birdhouse or one that is made from shiny plastic? Aside from the fact that untreated wood looks much more natural when hung from a tree branch, unfinished wood is also generally accepted as being better for the health of the birds. Just as we wish to protect our young children from poison, we should strive to protect the young birds from the toxins that come from high VOC paints and solvent-based finishes. Birds are known to benefit from the rough-cut wood texture on the inside of the house which allows their feet to grip the walls and provide a ladder of sorts to move from the floor to the entrance hole.

Natural unfinished wood is ideal for birdhouses because the wood ages naturally and blends in with the colors of trees and branches found in most natural settings. Unfinished birdhouses tend to develop a rustic patina appearance with age. The best types of wood for unfinished birdhouses include cedar, cypress and mahogany. Cedar is offers a natural resistance to insects and ages to a rustic gray finish that will last for years. Cypress is another attractive wood that ages well without a finish. Mahogany is an absolutely beautiful wood that is very dense and continues to look better with age; however, it is costly. Pine is a very low-priced wood that does not age well without a finish. Some of the most extraordinary unfinished birdhouses are made from reclaimed wood that appear aged from the moment they are built.

From a practical standpoint, there are a few important issues to consider when purchasing or building an unfinished birdhouse. First consider the type of cavity nesting bird that you want to attract. Different types of birds prefer houses with just the right floor space and entry hole size. The size of the entrance hole should fit the bird like a glove to allow them inside and prevent predators and larger competitors from gaining access. Houses should be built from wood that is at leastof an inch thick to provide natural insulation from the cold in the winter and heat in the summer. All houses should have adequate ventilation near the top to allow heat to escape and also have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water from pooling. Finally, you should consider access to the house to inspect the development of baby chicks and clean out old nests at the end of the season.

If we really can't help ourselves and insist on covering our unfinished birdhouses to make them last longer in the outdoors, we should consider a non-toxic wood sealing finish which will preserve some of the natural appearance of the wood. In particular, avoid any sort of lead, petroleum or oil-based stains that will continue to emit hazardous fumes that can harm the young birds in their early days of life. Water-based latex stains and polyurethane can be applied over the bare wood and can last for years. If you decide to paint your unfinished birdhouse, water-based acrylic latex or acrylic enamels can be applied. The acrylic enamel will provide more lasting protection for your birdhouse than the acrylic latex. Let these finishes cure in the sun for a few weeks before mounting them to attract visitors. If you accidentally apply an oil-based finish to your birdhouse, it will likely remain unoccupied! Never finish the inside of a birdhouse!

If you are really looking for a home for your favorite avian friends, unfinished birdhouses are probably the way to go. They appear more natural to the birds and blend in more naturally with your garden or backyard.