No one can promise that — wild birds choose their own spots. You can improve your chances by hanging it early in the season, in a quiet, sheltered, cat-safe place, with nesting material and fresh water nearby, then leaving it undisturbed. Whether or not birds adopt it, it still works beautifully as handmade garden decor — so you're never left with nothing to enjoy.

It is made of natural grass, so it is not waterproof. The dense weave helps block wind and sheds light drizzle, but for the longest life place it under cover (foliage, eaves or a branch canopy) and bring it inside during long rain, snow or freezing weather. Some natural fading and softening over the seasons is expected and part of its rustic look.

The roughly 2-inch (5 cm) round doorway suits small songbirds — birds like wrens, finches and chickadees in many North American yards. Larger birds can't squeeze through, which is exactly what makes the inside feel private and sheltered to the small birds that do use it. Local species vary by region and season.

Both. Outdoors it's a bird shelter and garden accent; indoors it doubles as rustic or farmhouse decor on a shelf, in a wreath, on a nature table, or as a photo prop for Easter and seasonal styling. A faint fresh-grass smell when new is normal — air it for a day or two and it will fade.

Life span depends mainly on the weather — a sheltered, mostly-dry nest lasts far longer than one left out in constant rain. Inspect the jute rope now and then and retighten the knot. It's a decorative natural-fiber item, not a toy or a chew item; keep it away from open flame (dry grass burns easily) and out of reach of very young children and chewing pets indoors.