Most birdhouses seem to be built to be hung (or at least have that option). I like to mount mine on the tops of untrimmed fence posts (we purposely left some higher for that reason) or on the sides of buildings. Do birds prefer one over the other? I don't think I've ever had a bird take up residence in the few houses I've dangled from trees.

I've had the Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse and Downy Woodpecker check out bird houses that are hanging in the trees but the only ones they've ever taken up residence in are those mounted on posts. The ones hanging in shrubbery and trees are ornamental.

Depends on the species you want to attract. Wrens like the shrubs and cover but a Bluebird would like a house on a fencepost (with predator protection) out in the open with clear views. I don't know that the hanging vs fixed would have an effect unless the hanging one was very prone to swinging. I could see excessive swinging (like on a weak branch or one so small it moves in each breeze) as being detrimental to the eggs.

We have 1 hanging from a tree & last year some sparrows nested in it. The bluebirds seem to only like ones that are stabilized on a post.

Swallows like non swinging nest boxes on fence posts or under eaves on houses or barns.

Interesting question, I hadn't even considered it.

I don't have any birdhouses put up, but I've heard that different bird species have different requirements. I would think that being securely mounted to something like a post or a tree would be a plus for a bird species, however.

I also tended to put all my birdhouses where I could easily see them, and have now made a point to put more distance between houses and to give more thought to not placing the doorway facing in to the prevailing wind. It helps for me to take all the houses down during the winter for a thorough cleaning and refurbishing and then reposition them in early spring. Most are mounted to fence posts we purposely left taller here and there, a few on the sides of outbuildings, one hanging house (which has never had a resident). My usual residents are sparrows or swallows.

Ah, I miss my little barn-swallows back in Tennessee - although they nested more on my porches than barn.

Awwwwwwww they're so cute. Those wide mouths. The better to scoop bugs with.

Those were babies, just trying out the edge of the nest.... too cute...

Good birds to have around. I suppose you now have roadrunners?

I have seen a few, but they are far from plentiful. Probably too close to the ground to deal well with urbanization.

I have a friend in N.M. who has a roadrunner roost over her door every night. Too cute. She said the cable man, big burly guy, came one morn before roadrunner was up. He knocked on the door & got a loud screech over his head from disturbing RR's sleep. Big, burly guy jumped right out of his skin!

Is there a best height for a birdhouse? I'm guessing birds might want varying heights depending on birds but is there a general rule?

I have a covered deck attached at the back of our house. A Rabbits Foot fern hangs in a corner just at the end of a Patio(sliding glass)door. Carolina Wrens used this plant for several seasons. I was surprised that they would create their nest so close to a door that gets a lot of use.

Pirl, I don't know.

Tara, my cousin has a spring wreath on her front door that every single year, the wrens build a nest in. So for that time, until the babies fledge, my cousin makes everyone use another entry into the house. The wrens build the nest despite the door being used & lay the eggs despite the door being used & incubate despite the door being used. It's only when they hatch that my cousin calls a halt to the use of the front door by humans. I suppose the wrens wouldn't care if ppl came & went from the door while the babies are growing.

These cute little guys never really 'seemed' to mind our comings and goings. They have such loud voices! As they would make their approach back towards the nest, you could hear them calling, you might say 'announcing' their approach! DH and I would look at one another, and nearly in unison say…Incoming! As the babies began their 'descent' from the nest, we did make it a point to limit the ins and outs of the dogs. You know how they are…Always on the wrong side of the door! The birds didn't object to us, but the dogs were a little too interested in them hopping around the deck as they made their way out to the garden.

Pirl, put your birdhouses at various heights and directions and the birds will choose what they like best.

Pirl, I think that there really isn't a "general" rule…They all seem to have different 'tastes'…