If you enjoy nature and would like to have more birds in your backyard, consider putting out some functional gourd birdhouses. Habitat for many songbirds who depend on natural nesting sites, such as holes in trees, is diminishing due to logging and urban sprawl. You can reverse this trend by providing great habitat and nesting sources for birds in your own backyard. Birds will eat many pesky insects and hearing the beautiful song of a songbird in your yard will greatly improve the enjoyment of your outdoor space.

Gourd birdhouses are a great way to provide those types of nesting sources and make great garden decor as well. Leaving a little gourd material in the birdhouse will provide great nesting material and will help encourage birds to use your birdhouses. It's also a great idea to make sure there are twigs, string, mud, hair and other nesting materials nearby.

Study the habits of the types of birds in your area that you want to attract. Some birds, such as purple martins like to live in colonies and nest near each other. Other birds, like wrens, are very territorial and will not nest in close proximity to other birds. Paying attention to these types of details will help insure that your birdhouses will be occupied.