Home & Garden Home These Creative, Whimsical Birdhouses Will Make You Wish You Were a Bird By Catie Leary Writer and Photographer Georgia State University Catie Leary writes and curates visual stories about science, animals, the arts, travel, and the natural world. our editorial process Catie Leary Updated June 05, 2017 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Pest Control Natural Cleaning DIY Family Green Living Thrift & Minimalism Sustainable Eating © Layla Coates In "Birdhouses of the World," author Anne Schmauss (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2014) offers readers a fascinating, "stop-you-in-your-tracks" tour of birdhouses crafted by designers and bird enthusiasts all around the world, including the eclectically quirky Winestone Birdhouses seen above. Of course, not all bird species will live in birdhouses — only cavity nesters are interested in making their homes inside tree trunks and other hollowed out spaces. Sadly, due to deforestation and human encroachment, these cavity nesters are becoming more and more scarce. All the more reason to install a nest box or two in your backyard! While they are all visually striking, some of the birdhouses featured in the book are more functional than others. The book is careful to indicate which boxes are practical for outdoor use and which are more suited as art pieces. Schmauss defines a functional birdhouse as "one that will safely and effectively house a bird and its family." That means the box and entrance hole are sized to fit the bird you hope to attract. There also needs to be plenty of drainage and ventilation for the health, safety and comfort of its avian inhabitants. Continue below for more examples of some of the amazing birdhouses featured in the book, which is now available for purchase. © London Fieldworks "Spontaneous City" by London Fieldworks © Paige Eden Photography, Inc. "Two-story Birdhouse" by Crooked Creations Birdhouses © Amadeus Leitner "Modern 'Ralph' Birdhouse" by Nathan Weiler © Thomas Dambo Winther "Trash Tree" by Dambo Birdhouses © Dave and Steve Maslowski "Weather Wonders Birdhouse" by David Bruce © Heiner Orth "Baya Birdhouses" by Hadi Tehrani