Nest-box basics

What is a nest box?

A nest box is an enclosed box with an entrance hole on one side, designed for birds that nest in cavities. People often mount nest boxes on fences or poles. A movable lid or side of the box will enable you to check on the eggs or young inside.

Why should I put up a nest box?

Backyards, parks, and other areas may have suitable habitat for cavity-nesting birds, but limited natural nest cavities. A nest box provides a place where these birds can safely lay eggs and raise their young. If birds choose your box, you’ll have the opportunity to see their family life up close and to know that you’ve helped a new generation of birds.

Wood Ducks by Katherine A. Smith

What birds use nest boxes?

At least 46 species of North American birds are known to use nest boxes, including ducks (e.g., Wood Duck, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser), birds of prey (e.g., Barn Owl, American Kestrel), songbirds (e.g., bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, Prothonotary Warbler) and some woodpeckers (e.g., Northern Flicker).

How do I choose a nest box?

You can build a nest box or purchase one intended for nesting birds (not merely decorative). The size of the box and the entrance hole will vary depending on which species you are trying to attract.

What does it mean to monitor a nest box?

To monitor a nest box, you periodically check to see what species is using the box and record how many eggs or young are in the nest. If nest boxes are soiled, remove old nests and clean them with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) at the end of the breeding season.

Should I send my observations to the Lab of Ornithology?

Yes! Please visit The Birdhouse Network web site to find out how you can monitor nest boxes, record data, and share your observations. Researchers will use the information to learn more about the breeding success of cavity-nesting birds (See the article Insights from 60,000 Nests in this issue of BirdScope).

For more information about nest boxes and birds, visit www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse.

For permission to reprint all or part of this article, please contact Laura Erickson, editor, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850. Phone: (607) 254-1114. email: lle24@cornell.edu