Anyone ever had luck with a birdhouse attracting "boarders"?

I just got my first birdhouse. I hung it up on the side of a tree...maybe about 8' off the ground.

Here's a link to the particular house...

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=COV-10097

It occurred to me though... at this time of year I'd suspect any birds that normally live in "houses" or nests...that they've probably already set up shop for the winter right? So I probably won't have any takers right now? But maybe in the Spring, when chicks are to be born, might someone move in?

Also, the inside of this house has three perches...I can't imagine a number of birds "hanging out" inside this small house...and with only one tight exit hole. It just seems very claustrophic to me! :-) What if two birds want to exit at the same time, or one tries to exit as another is entering? Do these bird houses actually work... do birds really use them? Or do they end up just being "decorative" and not very functional as I now fear?

Would it make more sense if I remove say the lower two perches? Would that give any birds a bit more room to maneuver around in the house?

FYI, small birds that frequent my yard are chickadees, house finches, sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, and woodpeckers (downy I think). I suspect that other birds in my area (cardinals, robins, blue jays) would be too big for this size house...

Thanks!

I'm sure the house will be fine but I haven't seen one w/ perches inside.

Is the hole near the top or lower toward the bottom?

Birds will exit one at a time so don't worry about that. Is the inside of the door rough enough or have some grooves in it so that the little ones can cling enough to climb out? If you do take the perches out you'll need to put gradual grooves in so they can climb out (they're called kerfs I believe) I had wrens in my nest box; it was a nice experience.

Keep us updated on if you get any takers. I would love to hear.

I just saw that box the other day and thought "what a good idea that it's convertible."

I'm sure you'll have takers to roost this winter and I doubt you'd have to remove the perches. They really need them in the winter. The hole in the bottom allows them to exit with ease and not suffocate on the bottom.

In the spring, probably lots of fights over who gets to use it to raise the young.

Your house is designed specifically for bluebirds, who are particular about house size, entry hole size, and entry location on the box. The metal on the opening will keep larger birds, like woodpeckers, and squirrels from pecking or chewing to make the hole larger to suit their size. Bluebirds like their houses to be set in the open on a post about 5-6' off the ground so they have a 360 degree view and can fly freely to catch insects. Birds who nest in cavities, like your chickadees, may find the house appealing, especially as it is mounted on a tree and mimics a natural cavity. It's amazing how birds find and use things like hanging baskets, mailboxes, even old containers to nest in. Your lovely house should surely attract attention.

Thanks all!

Pelletory...the hole is currently down at the bottom. The front cover is convertible, so in the warmer months it can be removed, and flipped so that the hole is then at the top, thereby allowing warm air to rise and then escape through the hole at the top!

I'll let y'all know if I see any activity!