Expert: Julia Booth - 3/24/2008

Question
For nearly a year we have been noticing what appear to be peach faced lovebirds in our backyard in Mesa AZ. Presently there are four of these birds apparently siblings feeding regularly at our feeders. We want to encourage them and provide nests or house for them to hopefully multiply here(if advisable). Can you advise as to what type of a bird house they would like?

Answer
Lucky you!

If you go to your local pet store -Petco or Petsmart are good ones -you can find nesting boxes intended for birds of varying sizes. Find one that has a hole large enough for the bird to enter while carrying her nesting materials. Post it about chest high (Or between 4-6 feet) in a tree or on a pole of some sort.

Nesting materials are usually organic, but can include human hair, string and plastic Easter grass.

Don't give them lint from your dryer. It contains dyes and chemicals which can be harmful to the babies.