The invention comprises a structure that affixes over the entrance hole of an avian cavity nest and serves to discriminate between prospective nesting birds by virtue of having the entry diverted to a vertical entranceway with the access on the lower end. The prospective bird must pass up through the structure to gain access to the entrance hole of the nest cavity.

A protective device for limiting access to the inside of a small animal house, such as a birdhouse, including a generally tubular, open-ended body defining a passage therethrough and having attachment members at the inner end thereof adapted to pass through an entrance hole in the wall of the house. The body may have openings in the wall for providing air and light. A locking member is threadably engaged with the outer surface of the body, and is adapted to retain the wall of the house between the locking member and body on one side and the retaining members on the other side, with the free end of the body spaced away from the entrance hole to inhibit access therethrough of animals and birds larger than those for which the house was designed.

This disclosure is concerned with a bluebird house and includes features not only for the bluebird, but also for an observer who might wish to monitor the nesting processing of the bird from beginning to end. The invention includes a viewing window in one of the sidewalls of the house having a hinged shutter which may be opened momentarily to view the nesting operations but also closable to insure the bird's privacy. The house also includes an extended entry-way to prevent most preditors from reaching the nest and a means for helping the newly hatched fledglings to reach the entry-way for their initial flight to freedom. Means are also provided for the quick inspection and cleaning of the nest by removing a portion of one of the sidewalls of the structure without disturbing the nest itself.

A bird feeder comprising an outer enclosure having one or more access ports to the interior of the enclosure and an insert mounted for telescoping movement into the interior of the outer enclosure. The insert is formed with at least one compartment for storing feed with one or more openings into the insert adapted to permit access to the compartment. The insert is dimensioned to define a collection space between the outer enclosure and the insert when the insert is telescoped into the interior of the outer member. The collection space accumulates feed spilled from the compartment by feeding birds to prevent wastage. The insert is movable between a first raised position in which the openings in the insert generally align with the access ports of the outer enclosure to permit feeding by birds, and a second lowered position in which the compartment of the insert is positioned to automatically receive spilled feed from the collection space.