Nesting Boxes and Birdhouses, Are You Ready?
Jan 8, 2023 By Sherry Thornburg
If you are reading my website portfolio, you are likely to love birds. You may have a lovely yard or apartment patio where you have set up a fountain or bird bath. You might have one or several feeders out and have learned what to fill them with for the types of birds in your area. If you have a large yard, you may have even taken up the call to stop using insecticides or herbicides in your yard. If ambitious, you have a wildlife habitat certification. You could be logging your sightings on some of the many birding internet sites for citizen science data collection. This article is about the next step, putting up a birdhouse.
I caught the bug to have a birdhouse when a Carolina Wren repeatedly tried to make a nest in my garage. It sneaked in and set up a nest where we didn’t notice: behind some spray cans in a small paint bucket on a shelf. I removed the spray cans and let her have her way until the babies fledged. They were so adorable. Seeing baby birds will make almost anyone want to have a birdhouse.
But Wait One
Birdhouses are a wonderful idea. They offer cavity nesters (80 species) a place to raise babies. Species such as the Bluebird have a rough time competing for nesting space. Wouldn’t it be great to put up several Bluebird houses or even a Purple Martin Condo? It would be helping the birds, right? Yes, but first, consider some questions.
What birds in your area will come into your yard?
Where would be the right place to put the nesting box?
Do you know what upkeep is involved?
Do you know how to keep predators away?
These are not simple questions. You do have to know what birds in your area will benefit. You need to know the dangers to your nesting birds to watch out for them. In taking this step, you will be going proactive as a birder. No more the passive onlooker, you are about to create a partnership.
If you want Eastern Screech Owls, the nest goes 10 feet or more upward. Hosting Owls will provide rodent and insect control that will protect your property and gardens. Baby owls can eat from two to four rodents a night.
Your local barn owl, on the other hand, will need a height of 20 to 25 feet.
Carolina Chickadees need a more manageable 5 to 15 feet but will want a box placed around hardwood trees offering 40% to 60% shade. Most likely, you already have these friendly birds in your neighborhood.
The Bluebird wants a birdhouse on a sturdy pole 5 feet off the ground.
Helpful Hint
Never place a birdhouse on a fence, a tree or other structure as this will invite climbing predator problems. Make sure you know the entry hole size needed and consider attaching entry guards to help keep out troublemakers.
Birdhouse Inspections
After the birdhouse is up, you will need to keep an eye on it. Direct inspections are needed to verify that eggs are doing well. It also will warn you against problems such as ant infestations or other birds trying to takeover. When making these inspections, walk up near the box, make several sounds so the bluebirds hear you coming, and then tap gently on the side of the box. Usually, the female will fly out. But, sometimes, mother will remain on the nest when you open the box. Wait until she leaves to do the inspection. Stop inspections after 10 or 12 days as the chicks will be close to flight age. You won’t want them fledging prematurely.
Fable Warning: Birds will not abandon their site because of these inspections. They will not abandon their chicks if you must pick them up to clean out ants or other problems.
Besides house care during use, there is also cleaning between seasons. That dependents on the type of bird and their nesting season. Nesting sites should be thoroughly cleaned before and after nesting to control disease and parasites.
Upkeep and Predator Control
Predators are a major problem for birds whether they nest in the wild or in a birdhouse.
What predators are we talking about?
Other Birds
Squirrels
Cats
Snakes
Raccoons
Those are just the most common dangers. Stove pipe baffles can help when the nest box is on a pole. But some predators are very good at problem solving. Squirrels will leap from trees, nearby roof tops, etc. Raccoons are notorious problem solvers. Other birds are a different and more sticky problem.
Landlord/Tenant Problems
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act specifically prohibits interfering with nesting birds, so if a woodpecker decides to set up housekeeping, you host them. House Sparrows and Starlings which are the most aggressive nesting box users and are listed as invasive non-native species, are not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so getting rid of them isn’t illegal.
These birds are known to destroy nests, eggs and even kill adult birds to occupy a space they want. Small entrance holes will keep out Starlings, but not Sparrows. Getting rid of sparrows may require clearing out their in-process nest, repeatedly. That means moving and destroying eggs or setting traps to catch the adults and then… yeah, getting rid of them, permanently. Not a happy thought, but neither is keeping watch on your invited guest to keep away the uninvited gate crashers who may kill them to take over the property.
Know Before You Host
This isn’t an activity for the faint-hearted or tender-hearted. Because of this, I don’t keep nesting boxes. I do, however, hear all the wonderful stories of happy nest box landlords, as well as their heart-breaking stories of invasions, lost eggs, and finding dead birds.
Next time your child comes home proudly presenting you with a shop project birdhouse, think carefully about setting it out. There is a lot of responsibility involved.
Are you ready for that step? Wonderful!
If you are not, take the time to learn more about it so you will be fully prepared when you are.
Resources:
For more in-depth information on keeping nesting boxes, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch.org information. There is a featured tab, all about bird houses. It is packed with tips and facts on keeping nesting boxes and birdhouses.
Happy Birding
Photography
Title Image: Carolina Wren chicks
Picture 1: Carolina Wren nesting in a paint can
Picture 2: Birdhouse cleaning