The Solar Birdhouse:
What Will It Bring To The Garden?

A solar birdhouse can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, some of which are show here. Some are made of poly resin and some of wood. What they all share is a basic bird house (a box with a hole in it), a perch for the bird to land on and a solar panel powered light that shines through the night. The light is powered by batteries that are charged through the day by a solar panel.

The advertised idea is that the light helps the nesting bird by illuminating the birdhouse so it can find it at night.

Diurnal vs. Nocturnal

Most birds are diurnal, meaning they are awake during the day and sleep at night. Some birds, such as owls, tawny frogmouths and the like, are nocturnal (sleep in the day and are active at night). If we think about this, what is the function of this bird house? No daytime bird is likely to nest in it because of the disturbance of the light at night, not to mention the night creatures it would attract.

What Will It Attract?

As with any light left on at night, you're likely to get bugs attracted to it and the things that feed on them. The predators depend on where you live. You may get bats, geckos, preying mantises or even a night bird or two.

While these creatures may well add interest to your back yard at night, the same effect can be achieved simply by leaving an outside light on.

Are They Just A Gimmick?

I believe so. In today's world there is a lot of light pollution at night, especially in the cities. While these devices don't give off much light, they are adding to the problem. And for the reasons given above, they will most likely not function as a bird house.

Is There A Good Alternative?

Some plates of birdseed will encourage them to feed in your garden in the day. If you want birds nesting in your garden, putting up a nest box or two in the trees will encourage then to come. And if you leave the lights off in the garden at night, they are even more likely to use the nest boxes.

12-March-2009

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