Bird Nesting Boxes

With the reduction of natural habitats, gardens have become important feeding, resting, and nesting locations for birds as natural nesting locations are in decline. For this reason, a homemade bird nest box or store bought bird nesting boxes can be extremely useful. They could actually contribute to keeping a species or population alive.

While there are a huge variety of bird nest box designs, there is really no any one standard or perfect design for a nesting box. You must make sure, however, that the nest is in a secure place and that it shelters the birds as much as possible from the elements. You also need to make absolutely sure that the nesting box is far from the reach of any potential predators. Birds will avoid a nesting box that seems too out in the open and unprotected.

While there is no perfect standard for bird nest boxes, certain bird species do prefer certain types and locations for their nesting sites; this means that blue bird nest box plans will be slightly different than plans for love bird nesting boxes, while other birds may prefer woven bird nesting bags or boxes. Some bird species prefer solitary nesting sites, while others feel the need to have other members of their flock nest alongside them. Before buying or building bird nesting boxes from bird nest box plans, make sure you do some research as to the species of birds in your area that you might potentially be attracting. What the majority of well-designed boxes need is either a box that has a partly open front, or a box that has a circular hole at the front; again, do some research to figure out a suitable diameter for this hole. Either of these designs will work well for most wild birds that commonly visit gardens.

As for materials, wood is the best material to use, though this will depend on the bird species in your area. Manufactured wood, like plywood, is not suitable outdoor material for hanging bird nesting boxes or boxes fixed to trees or poles, though it may pass for boxes placed indoors. Make sure that any wooden house is treated with a preservative to make it weatherproof and increase durability; treat the nesting box once a year to maintain these characteristics.

As for placement, a nest box should be at a height above ground that is out of reach of humans and cats. Also for protection against predators, consider fixing the nest box in a thorny bush or surrounding the entrance with chicken wire; just make sure that the birds have a direct flight path into the box and don’t harm themselves. Place the box facing a direction that will avoid direct sunlight and heavy rain.