Wren,Bluebird house perch ??

[Ufatz]

I am in the process of completing a dozen bird houses for wrens and bluebirds. BUT I can't remember whether these birds like perches beneath the entrance hole or not? I am painting the houses even though many "experts" maintain birds dislike painted houses. Our observations have been the birds will still move right in. Thanks for help.

[Steve Foss]

Ufatz, in both cases you can put on a perch if you like and the birds may use them, but they are not needed for either species.

As for painting the houses, the only cautionary note I've ever seen is not to paint the interiors.

[Dotch]

I agree Steve. Painting doesn't seem to bother although sometimes here the wrens wait until the paint has weathered a year. Most bluebird houses don't have perches on them although the one type of predator guard I put on some of them has a little "drop down" type perch. The gourds we grow for bird houses don't come with perches either.