Bird Nesting Boxes
Ranked #9,264 in Pets & Animals, #235,666 overall
Choosing a Bird Nest Box for you Garden
One way to encourage more diversity of wildlife to your garden is to provide a nest box. Birds in particular benefit from an artificial nesting site as it provides protection from the elements, and predators, and a safe haven to roost and rear their young. There are many designs of bird nesting box to choose from and this is a short guide to helping to find a suitable bird house for the species you would like to attract nearer to your home.
Attracting birds has an additional benefit to gardeners, as they are natures own pest controller, eating all the insects and bugs that eat your vegetables.
Attracting birds has an additional benefit to gardeners, as they are natures own pest controller, eating all the insects and bugs that eat your vegetables.
Bird Box Designs
Different Types of Bird Nesting Box
There are two main types of bird nest box for general garden birds, one with an entrance hole in the front and an open fronted style. Both are favoured by different species of wild bird. The entrance holes can also be varied in diameter, typically from 25mm (1 inch) to 60mm (2 1/2 inches) diameter. Special Wedge shaped designs with a side entrance hole are also available for Tree Creepers like the bird box in the photo.There are a number of novelty style bird houses on the market but generally a plain box made from natural wood with a rough surface is preferable. A rough surface helps small birds to hang on when entering and exiting the nesting box.
A bird nest box should be weather proof but with drainage holes in the bottom to prevent it filling with rain water. The nest area should be deep enough to prevent predator birds such as magpies from reaching eggs or chicks. For the same reason it is best to avoid nesting boxes with a perch near the hole as this give the larger birds somewhere to sit and peck at the entrance hole, and hassle the small birds inside.
Choosing the Right Bird Nest Box to attract different Wild Bird Species
Attracting Garden Birds in the UK
There are many species of garden bird in the UK, and gardens provide thousands of acres of mini habitats for many species of birds across the Country. By placing a bird nest box in your garden you can provide a refuge for many different species and enjoy studying their natural behavior from a convenient viewing spot in your own backyard.Below is a guide to the correct Bird Box to use for a selection of Wild Bird species.
- Blue Tits - 25mm diameter entrance hole.
- Great Tits, Pied Fly Catchers and Sparrows - 28 to 32 mm diameter entrance hole.
- Woodpeckers - 60mm diameter entrance hole.
- Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens - Open fronted Nest Box.
- Tree Creepers - Wedge shaped in design with a side access hole.
- House Martins and Swallows - Replica clay (half bowl) design.
Nesting Places print from AllPosters.com
Bird Houses for typical USA Garden Bird Species
North America has a huge variety of Wild Bird Species which can take advantage of a nesting box. Below is a guide to a few common species and the right bird house design to encourange them to nest:
- Wrens, Titmouse, White Breasted Nuthatch, Violet Green Swallow, Bluebirds, Tree Swallows & Finches - 1 1/2 inch diameter entrance hole.
- Purple Martins - Colony style Bird House with 2 1/8 inch diameter entrance hole.
- Cardinals and Hummingbirds - Platform Style Bird House.
- Wrens, Titmouse, White Breasted Nuthatch, Violet Green Swallow, Bluebirds, Tree Swallows & Finches - 1 1/2 inch diameter entrance hole.
- Purple Martins - Colony style Bird House with 2 1/8 inch diameter entrance hole.
- Cardinals and Hummingbirds - Platform Style Bird House.
Bird Houses for USA Wild Birds from Amazon
Quality Designed Bird Nesting Boxes
Siting Bird Boxes and Bird Houses
Place your Bird House in the right Position to Attract Birds
Once you have decided on a bird box to suit the bird species you are aiming to attract, then the next decision is where to site the nest box. For most of the UK smaller species such as Robins and Wrens, nest boxes can be positioned in the cover of hedges and shrubs but high enough off the ground or deep enough in cover to protect from predators. Birdhouses for large birds such as Blackbirds and Starlings should be placed 1.5 - 5m high in a tree. If you are aiming to attract Woodpecker species then the nest box can be placed even higher in the Tree. Bird Box Hints & Tips
Cleaning your Bird Box
Birds are fairly clean and will remove excrement etc. themselves but there will always be a build up of dirt, debris and somtimes dead baby birds in the nest at the end of the Season. In the UK the best time to clean a box is between August and January, in fact legally you are not supposed to do it outside of these months as birds may breed more than once.
It is a good idea to wear gloves and possibly a face mask as the mess in the box may contain parasites and bacteria. Clean the box with warm water and a brush. Avoid soaps and detergents. Some specialist products are available for cleaning nest boxes.
It is a good idea to wear gloves and possibly a face mask as the mess in the box may contain parasites and bacteria. Clean the box with warm water and a brush. Avoid soaps and detergents. Some specialist products are available for cleaning nest boxes.
More Birdhouses for sale
Garden Bird Poll
Vote for your favourite Wild Bird Species
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Why not make your own Bird Nest Box?
Woodworking plans package
Click here for Ted Woodworking Plans Package
Over 16,000 different DIY project ideas for the home and garden.
Other Nest Box Related Pages
Further Bird & Nest Box Information
Useful website giving information on nest boxes and attracting birds and wildlife to the garden
- Nest Boxes
- nestboxesandfeeders.co.uk website. Information on providing nest boxes and feeders for birds and animals.
- Bat Boxes
- Why not provide a nesting box for bats too? A great way to attract bats to the garden which help reduce insects.
- HandyKam.com
- Use a Nest Box Camera to view birds on the nest without disturbing them, right on your PC or TV screen.
- Join the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Join now and contribute to bird conservation.
Bird Nest Boxes Comments
Do you have a birdhouse in your garden? Let us know what is nesting in your backyard
-
-
MuffinPuffART
Apr 22, 2012 @ 3:54 am | delete
- I really enjoyed this lens. I'm thinking of putting several different bird boxes up soon, as since the addition of 2 Bird tables we have been swarmed with many different birds.
-
-
-
Tipi
Apr 8, 2011 @ 8:15 pm | delete
- I don't have a yard right now but would love to have a birdhouse, well several of them in a big yard again some day. Wonderful information for houses for our bird friends.
-
-
-
Feb 25, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete
- Great lens
-
Other pages by the author
by nestboxes
Hi,
I love the outdoors, nature and am passionate about conservation. I have recently created www.nestboxesandfeeders.co.uk to promote bird and animal...
more »
- 41 featured lenses
- Winner of 16 trophies!
- Top lens » Power Plate Exercise Charts
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Nest Box Cameras - For Viewing & Studying Wildlife Nest Box Cameras - For Viewing & Studying Wildlife
- Birdhouse Plans and Nesting Boxes Birdhouse Plans and Nesting Boxes
- Making Birdhouses from Salvaged Wood Making Birdhouses from Salvaged Wood
- Wooden Birdhouses: Three DIY Birdhouse Plans Wooden Birdhouses: Three DIY Birdhouse Plans
- How To Build A Screech Owl House How To Build A Screech Owl House
- Making Wooden Birdhouses Making Wooden Birdhouses
Bird Field Guides
Useful information on Wild Birds
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition
Amazon Price: $5.78 (as of 05/30/2012)
Comprehensive guide to North American Birds
Study the Birds in your Nesting Box with a Bird Box Camera
