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Discover Maryland's Backyard Birds &
Discover Maryland's Backyard Birds &
Get Custom DIY Birdhouse Plans
Get Custom DIY Birdhouse Plans
Enter your Maryland zip code • Select your backyard type • Get plans for Maryland's native birds
Enter your Maryland zip code • Select your backyard type • Get plans for Maryland's native birds
What Birds Live Near Me?
What Birds Live Near Me?
get building plans by nesting types
get building plans by nesting types
Why Maryland Families Love Our Bird Finder Tool
Why Maryland Families Love Our Bird Finder Tool
Maryland-Specific Results
Maryland-Specific Results
Get birds that actually live in Maryland - from the Chesapeake Bay region to the Appalachian mountains. No wasted effort on species that won't visit your Maryland backyard!
Complete Building Packages
Complete Building Packages
Download everything you need: detailed plans, materials lists, hardware specifications, and step-by-step instructions.
Conservation Education
Conservation Education
Learn about Maryland's native wildlife, bird migration patterns along the Atlantic Flyway, and conservation while creating meaningful STEM learning experiences.
Family-Friendly Designs
Family-Friendly Designs
All our simple backyard birdhouses are designed for families to build together - perfect for kids ages 6-13!
Beginner-Friendly guides
Beginner-Friendly guides
No advanced woodworking skills needed! Our DIY backyard birdhouse plans use simple tools and techniques.
Mobile-Friendly Plans
Mobile-Friendly Plans
Access your building plans on any device - perfect for workshop reference or outdoor building sessions.
How Our Maryland Bird Finder Works
How Our Maryland Bird Finder Works
Enter Your Maryland Location
Enter Your Maryland Location
Simply enter your Maryland zip code and select your backyard type (urban, suburban, wooded, etc.). Our database matches this with Maryland's regional bird populations and habitat preferences to create your personalized bird list.
Discover Your Local Maryland Birds
Discover Your Local Maryland Birds
Get a curated list of birds that actually live in your Maryland region and will use birdhouses. Each result includes information about the bird's behavior, nesting preferences, and why they're perfect for your specific Maryland backyard environment.
Download Custom Building Plans
Download Custom Building Plans
For each bird species, download comprehensive building packages including detailed construction plans, complete materials lists, hardware specifications, and step-by-step assembly instructions with photos.
Build &
Build &
Enjoy Together
Enjoy Together
Use our family-friendly plans to build your simple backyard birdhouses together. Then enjoy years of bird watching, nature education, and the satisfaction of providing homes for local wildlife!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this bird finder different from others?
What makes this bird finder different from others?
Our tool combines location-specific bird data with family-friendly DIY birdhouse plans. Unlike generic bird identification apps, we focus specifically on cavity-nesting birds that will actually use the birdhouses you build, and provide complete building packages for each species.
Are the building plans really suitable for kids?
Are the building plans really suitable for kids?
Absolutely! All our simple backyard birdhouse plans are designed for family building projects. We include age-appropriate tasks, safety guidelines, and educational talking points to make building both fun and educational for children ages 6-13.
How accurate is the Maryland bird data?
How accurate is the Maryland bird data?
Our Maryland bird data is sourced from the Maryland Ornithological Society, eBird, and other reputable sources specific to Maryland's ecosystems. We focus on common cavity-nesting species that regularly use birdhouses in Maryland's residential areas, so you have the best chance of attracting birds to your projects.
What's included in the downloadable building packages?
What's included in the downloadable building packages?
Each package includes: detailed construction plans with measurements, complete materials list with specific wood types and hardware, step-by-step assembly instructions with photos, mounting and placement guidelines, and species-specific care tips.
Seasonal Birdhouse Maintenance
Seasonal Birdhouse Maintenance
Keep your birdhouses in perfect condition year-round with this comprehensive maintenance schedule. Proper care ensures healthy, safe homes for your feathered friends season after season.
spring
spring
PREPARATION & INSPECTION
PREPARATION & INSPECTION
MARCH - MAY
MARCH - MAY
🧹 Deep Clean All Houses Remove old nests and scrub with mild bleach solution (1:10 ratio), then rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.
🔍 Structural Inspection Check for loose screws, cracks, warping, or winter damage to ensure houses are safe for nesting season.
🔧 Repair & Tighten Fix any discovered damage and tighten all hardware with fresh galvanized screws if needed.
🏠 Install New Houses Mount any new birdhouses by early March before birds begin scouting for nesting sites.
💧 Check Drainage Clear all drainage holes of debris and ensure proper water runoff from roofs.
summer
summer
ACTIVE MONITORING
ACTIVE MONITORING
JUNE - AUGUST
JUNE - AUGUST
👀 Weekly Monitoring Observe from distance only, checking for occupancy and problems without disturbing active nests.
🌡️ Ventilation Check Ensure adequate airflow during hot weather by clearing any blocked ventilation holes.
🐜 Pest Management Check for ant trails, wasp nests, or other invasive insects around unoccupied houses only.
🌿 Vegetation Management Trim overgrown branches that block access or create predator hiding spots near houses.
🚫 Critical: Avoid All Disturbance Never clean or disturb active nests - wait until nesting season completely ends for any maintenance.
fall
fall
POST-SEASON CLEANUP
POST-SEASON CLEANUP
SEPTEMBER- NOVEMBER
SEPTEMBER- NOVEMBER
🧽 Remove Old Nests Clean out all nesting material once birds have finished, typically beginning in late August-September.
🦠 Sanitize Thoroughly Scrub all interior surfaces with 10% bleach solution to kill parasites and bacteria, then rinse well.
🔒 Secure for Winter Tighten all connections and ensure roofs are firmly attached for upcoming winter storms.
🛡️ Weather Protection Apply wood preservative if needed and inspect roof integrity to prevent winter moisture damage.
📝 Record Keeping Note which houses were used, by what species, and successful broods observed for next year's planning.
winter
winter
STORAGE & PLANNING
STORAGE & PLANNING
DECEMBER - FEBRUARY
DECEMBER - FEBRUARY
📦 Optional Storage Consider storing delicate houses indoors while leaving sturdy cedar houses mounted year-round.
🔧 Workshop Repairs Fix damage in comfortable indoor workspace and sand/refinish houses as needed.
🏗️ Build New Houses Perfect time for winter woodworking projects and building replacements for worn-out units.
📚 Research & Planning Study local bird populations and plan new house locations while ordering supplies for spring.
🌨️ Snow Removal Gently brush snow off mounted houses after storms and ensure mounting posts remain secure.
ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE TOOLS
ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE TOOLS
Cleaning Supplies:
Bottle brush for interior cleaning
Scrub sponge for stubborn debris
Bleach for sanitization (use 1:10 ratio with water)
Bucket for cleaning solutions
Garden hose for rinsing
Repair Tools:
Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
Drill with bits for new holes
Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
Wood glue for joint repairs
Replacement screws (galvanized)
Safety Equipment:
Sturdy ladder for accessing mounted houses
Work gloves for hand protection
Safety glasses when drilling or sanding
Non-slip shoes for ladder work
Record Keeping:
Labels or tags for house identification
Notebook or smartphone for observations
Camera for documenting damage or occupancy
Calendar for scheduling maintenance tasks
💡 PRO MAINTENANCE TIPS
💡 PRO MAINTENANCE TIPS
⏰ Timing is Everything Never disturb active nests. Clean houses only after nesting season ends (late August-September in most areas). Some birds have multiple broods, so wait for complete inactivity.
🔍 Regular Inspections Check monthly from a distance during nesting season. Look for damage, predator activity, or pest problems. Use binoculars to avoid disturbing birds.
🏠 House Rotation System Some birds prefer "new" houses each year. Having multiple houses allows for rotation and thorough cleaning while maintaining available nesting sites.
📊 Keep Detailed Records Track which houses are used, by what species, and success rates. This data helps optimize placement, design, and maintenance schedules.
🌡️ Weather Considerations Check houses after severe weather events. High winds, hail, or ice storms can cause damage that needs immediate attention for bird safety.
🦅 Predator Awareness Install predator guards if needed. Check for signs of cats, snakes, raccoons, or other predators around your birdhouses. Look for scratch marks or enlarged entrance holes.
📅 MONTH-BY-MONTH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
📅 MONTH-BY-MONTH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY:
Begin deep cleaning of all houses
Complete major repairs in workshop
Order any needed supplies
Plan new house installations
MARCH:
Finish cleaning and repairs
Install new houses by mid-month
Check and tighten all mounting hardware
Clear vegetation around existing houses
APRIL:
Monitor for first nesting activity
Record occupancy in maintenance log
Check predator guards are functioning
Maintain clear access paths
MAY:
Continue monitoring from distance
Note successful nest building
Avoid all maintenance near occupied houses
Record species using each house
JUNE:
Weekly distant observations only
Check ventilation is adequate
Monitor for pest problems
Document any emergency issues
JULY:
Continue hands-off monitoring
Note fledgling activity
Watch for second broods
Plan fall maintenance schedule
AUGUST:
Begin checking for end of nesting season
Prepare cleaning supplies for fall work
Note houses ready for cleaning
Start late-season observations
SEPTEMBER:
Begin post-season nest removal
Thorough sanitization of empty houses
Start recording season's success data
Begin weather-proofing preparations
OCTOBER:
Complete fall cleaning of all houses
Apply wood preservatives if needed
Secure all houses for winter weather
Update maintenance logs
NOVEMBER:
Final inspection before winter
Store delicate houses if desired
Begin planning next year's improvements
Order materials for winter projects
DECEMBER:
Workshop maintenance and repairs
Build new houses for next season
Research bird population changes
Plan new house locations
JANUARY:
Continue indoor maintenance work
Study previous year's success data
Prepare for spring cleaning schedule
Check stored houses for damage
🚨 EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE SITUATIONS
🚨 EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE SITUATIONS
Storm Damage
Problem: House knocked down, roof damaged, or entrance blocked by debris
Action: Immediate repair or temporary removal until nesting season ends
Prevention: Use heavy-duty mounting hardware, check after severe weather
Wasp Infestation
Problem: Wasps or hornets have built nests inside or around the birdhouse
Action: Professional removal recommended; wait for cold weather if birds are present
Prevention: Regular monitoring, immediate removal of small wasp starts
Predator Damage
Problem: Entrance hole enlarged, scratch marks, or signs of forced entry
Action: Install predator guards, repair damage, consider relocation
Prevention: Proper mounting height, predator guards, regular inspections
Structural Failure
Problem: Loose mounting, sagging, or partial collapse of the house
Action: Immediate safe removal; check for nests before disposing
Prevention: Annual hardware inspection, quality materials, proper installation
Pest Infestation
Problem: Ants, mice, or other pests have taken over the house
Action: Complete cleaning and sanitization; address entry points
Prevention: Regular cleaning, proper drainage, pest-resistant mounting
Remember: Proper maintenance extends the life of your birdhouses and increases nesting success rates. A well-maintained house can provide safe homes for birds for many years, making your investment in time and materials worthwhile for both you and your feathered friends.
Remember: Proper maintenance extends the life of your birdhouses and increases nesting success rates. A well-maintained house can provide safe homes for birds for many years, making your investment in time and materials worthwhile for both you and your feathered friends.
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