Thinking of putting up a nesting box in your garden, then British Trust for Ornithology and the RSPB warn that, while some boxes provide a perfect breeding cavity for birds, others may be far from ideal.
You may be tempted to buy eye-catching brightly coloured nest boxes and quirky types shaped like caravans, farmhouses, eggs and windmills, but the RSPB warns that attractive and elaborate bird boxes aren’t necessarily safe or effective for nesting birds.
What makes a successful nesting box?
So, what should we be going for? The BTO offers the following guidelines:
1. Make sure it’s insulated
Only choose a box made from an insulating material such as wood or a special waterproof wood/concrete compound like Woodcrete. This has been used for the National Nest Box Week ‘official’ box before.
2. Avoid metal and ceramics
Don’t choose a box made from dense materials like metal or ceramics as the interior can become too hot or too cold for chicks to survive. Nest boxes with metal roofs retain too much heat and can have fatal effects for baby birds on warm, sunny days.
Metal and plastic nest boxes also suffer from condensation causing baby birds to get damp and cold.
3. Choose a type with thick walls
To provide insulation and be durable, the walls of wooden boxes should be at least 15mm thick. Wooden boxes can be safely treated on the outside with a preservative provided it is non-toxic and water-based.
A box made from cedar, oak or beech will far outlive one made from softwood such as pine.
4. Check the hole size
Choose a box with a 32mm entrance hole as this is the ideal size for all small hole-nesting birds such as sparrows and tits. Choose a smaller 26mm hole only if you want to restrict the box to blue tits.
The box should not be too small inside as birds may lay fewer eggs in smaller boxes. The internal floor area should at least 130 square cm (20 square inches).
6. Avoid perches
Perches are not necessary and may even act as a foothold for squirrels or weasels as they reach into the box to grab eggs and chicks.
7. Maintain easy access
A good box should provide easy access for human observers who wish to record the contents and to clean out the disused nesting material at the end of the season.
8. Place them strategically
The ideal height for a small-hole type nest box is between 1m and 5m above the ground with a clear flight path. Care must be given to make sure the box isn’t easily accessible to predators.
There are different kinds of nest boxes for different species of bird. Cavity nesting birds like nest boxes with entrance holes, and the size of hole will depend on the target species.
For example, blue tits prefer boxes with a small hole (25mm), Starlings on the other hand would need slightly larger holes (45mm). Other birds like open-fronted nest boxes, such as robin and spotted flycatchers.
9. Avoid bright colours
Steer clear of brightly coloured nest boxes. The more inconspicuous they are, the better. Make sure they are not made from flimsy materials as many boxes fall apart when any weight is put inside.
Don’t let them be too shallow as young birds could leave prematurely by falling out, and don’t let them be too deep as young birds may have problems getting out when they are ready to leave.
You may be interested in…
Best-selling nesting boxes for wild birds
Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling Amazon products!
- The Ram Built to last - fully pressure treated and stained wood, so that the bird nest can be used for many years.
- Ideal for a variety of small wild birds such as robins and blue tits.
- Wall mounted, ideal for a garden wall, shed or tree.
- TRADITIONAL BIRDHOUSE/NESTING BOX - These Fantastic Garden Bird Nesting Boxes Are A Must Have For All Gardens To Accomodate Our Favourite Feather Friends During The Busy Breeding Season.
- SUITABLE FOR - These Traditional BirdHouses Are Most Suitable For Small Garden Birds Like Robins, Sparrows, Tits And More.
- FEATURES - These Great Birdhouses Come With A Small Entrance/Exit Hole More Suited To Small Birds Have A Hinged Roof For Easy Cleaning And Should Be Predator Proof.n be used for many years to come.
- The Supa Multi-purpose Nest Box (Pack of 1) is suitable for many of the species of wild birds that are likely to nest in your garden.
- Can be used either in its original form or as an open fronted nesting box by removing the two screws which hold the front panel in place.
- Small gap in the base so the birds can easily clean the box out.
- DURABLE ELEGANCE: Crafted to endure, our bird boxes are long-lasting with fully pressure-treated and stained wood, ensuring cosy avian dwellings for years to come. Embrace the joy of these wooden bird...
- ECO-FRIENDLY HAVEN: Contribute to the environment as you invite charming chirpers to your birdhouse for gardens, woods, farms and forestry. Constructed from 100% FSC wood, our wooden birdbox reflects...
- BIRD’S HAVEN: A welcoming 30mm bird hole sets the stage for a diverse avian cast to this bird home. Blue tits, coal tits, marsh tits, great tits, house sparrows, tree sparrows, and pied...
- 2 x Bird Nesting Box
- Wooden Bird Nesting Box.
- Hinged lid. Ideal house for small birds
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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