Nesting Fun Facts
This bird is known to smear the entrance hole of their nest box with a sticky resin.
What is a Red-breasted Nuthatch?
Birds using old holes in trees or nest boxes fall into this category.
What is a Cavity Nester?
A nest about the size of a golf ball belongs to this bird.
What is a hummingbird?
This entrance size is ideal for excluding starlings from nest boxes.
What is 1 1/2 inches or less?
The best direction to face a nest box is east or southeast to provide this benefit.
What is morning warmth?
Finding multiple nesting boxes filled with twigs and sticks, but no nest, is an indication that the boxes are visited by __________.
What is a House Wren?
This group of birds commonly use very large nest boxes mounted high on trees or poles near to open areas.
What are Owls?
Crucial for determining which species can use the cavity/nest box, and safety from predators.
What is the importance of the entrance hole size?
Nest boxes should always include these to prevent water buildup.
What are drainage holes?
The recommended height for most nest boxes?
What is 5 - 15 feet?
This late night bird is starting to nest right now.
What is an Owl?
Woodpeckers are known for this nesting behaviour.
What is cavity excavating?
Birds such as robins and phoebes prefer open platforms rather than enclosed boxes.
What are shelf or ledge nesters?
Perches on nest boxes encourage access by these.
What are predators?
West or South facing nest boxes should be avoided as they can cause this, leading to death.
What is overheating?
Slashes or a wire mesh on the inside of the front panel help fledglings to leave the nest box.
What is a Fledgling Ladder?
Singing, dancing, kissing, grooming, flashing finery, and chasing competitors.
What are some of the behaviours of bird courting?
Spider silk is used in nests for this purpose.
What gives flexibility? (stretching as the chicks grow)
Located near the top of the box, these are critical to regulate temp, air quality, prevent overheating and moisture build-up.
What are ventilation holes?
Using a pole with this can help prevent predators fro getting to the box.
What is a baffle? (Raccoon or squirrel) or predator guard.
This full set-up is known as the "Ideal Nest Box installation".
What is East or South-East facing, protected from the wind, pole mounted 5-15 feet high, nest box with a baffle to maximize chick survival.
One of these birds just doesn't belong here ...chickadee, wren, nuthatch, Wood Duck, goldfinch, Tree Swallow, woodpecker.
What is a goldfinch?
Using the same nest site year after yeas is known as this behaviour.
What is site fidelity?
Nest Box feature allows for breeding in summer and shelter in winter.
What is a Convertible Roosting Box?
Nest boxes should face AWAY from this to protect the entrance from cold air and rain getting in.
What are the prevailing winds?