Tips to Attracting Nesting Birds to Your Backyard
Many North American birds nest in "cavities" (holes in trees and fence posts). Although some birds, such as Woodpeckers, can chisel their own holes with their heavy, sharp bills, other cavity-nesters must find suitable holes for nesting. Unfortunately, suitable nest cavities can be hard to find in much of North American
One way to solve the nest-site shortage is to provide artificial cavities, also known as birdhouses or nest boxes. More than 50 species of birds-including Bluebirds, Kestrels, Owls, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens, Tree Swallows and Woodpeckers, WILL use nest boxes. Nest Boxes have helped boost populations of many cavity-nesting bird species whose numbers were declining. For example, both Wood Ducks and Eastern Bluebirds recently have made dramatic comebacks. A Nest Box on your property will provide a valuable home for birds and enjoyable bird watching for you. We will help you figure out which birds you can attract to you yard and what's the best way and place to mount your nesting boxes. By attracting Nesting birds you'll enjoy the sites of parents and young in your yard.
Nesting Habits of Some of The Most Common Backyard Birds
Species
|
Breeding Period
|
Nesting Materials
|
Where
|
Eggs
|
Period
|
Broods
|
E. Bluebird |
March-July
|
Grasses, pine needles, weeds, lining of fine grass
|
Cavity (House)
|
4-5
Clear Blue
|
13-14
Days
|
2-3
|
Cardinal |
March-August
|
Weed stems,
twigs, bark,
grasses, leaves
|
Shrub or Tree
|
3-4
Gray-Buff
Brown Specks
|
12-13 Days
|
1-3
|
Chickadee |
April-July
|
Wood Chips, moss,
Hair, feathers, downy fibers
|
Cavity (House)
|
6
White with Red-Brown Speckles
|
11-12 Days
|
1-2
|
Goldfinch |
June-September
|
Woven plant fibers,
Tightly lines with
Thistle or milkweed down
|
Hedges or Trees
|
4-6
Very pale Blue
|
12-14 Days
|
1-3
|
House Finch |
March-July
|
Twigs, rootlets,
Grass and other debris
|
Almost anywhere
|
4-5
White to
Pale buff
|
12-14 Days
|
1-3
|
Blue Jay
|
March-July
|
Twigs, moss, dry grass, dry
Mud, leaves
|
Cavity
(House)
|
4-5
Olive to
Dull blue
|
16-18 Days
|
1-2
|
W.B.Nuthatch
|
May-July
|
Bark, roots, grass
|
Cavity (Houses)
|
5-6
White W/
Brown Specks
|
12 Days
|
2-3
|
Robin
|
April-July
|
Grasses & mud, lines with fine grass
|
Trees & Shrubs
Robins Shelf
|
3-6
Pastel Blue
|
12-14 Days
|
2-3
|
See Size of Bird Houses Below
|
Nesting Material Can Still Help Birds That Don't Use A Nest Box!
As natural fibers they use to build or line a nest become harder to find, Hummingbirds, Goldfinches, and more benefit from you providing Nesting Materials. Both Hummingbirds and Goldfinches readily use the natural fibers in Hummer Nesting Material to line their nest!
Name |
Sizeof Floor |
Height ofEntranceAbove Floor |
DiameterOfHole |
Height Above Ground |
Chickadee |
4”x4” |
4”-6” |
1 1/8” |
6’-10’ |
Titmouse |
4”x4” |
6”-8” |
1 ¼” |
8’-15’ |
Nuthatch |
4”x4” |
6”-8” |
1 ¼” |
12’-20’ |
House Wren |
4”x4” |
4”-6” |
1 1/8” |
6’-10’ |
Carolina Wren |
4”x4” |
4”-6” |
1 ½” |
6’-12’ |
Screech Owl |
8”x8” |
9”-12” |
3” |
10’-20’ |
Wood Duck |
12”x12” |
10”-18” |
4” |
8’-20’ |
Purple Martins |
12”x12” |
1” |
2 ½” |
15’-20’ |
Eastern Bluebird |
4”x4” |
6”-7” |
1 ½” |
4’-6’ |
Woodpeckers |
|
Flicker |
7”x7” |
10”-20” |
2 ½” |
10’-20’ |
Re-Headed |
6”x6” |
10”-14” |
2 ¼” |
10’-20’ |
Downey |
4”x4” |
8”-12” |
1 ½” |
10’-20’ |
Hairy |
6”x6” |
10”-14” |
2 ½” |
10’-20’ |
Natural Nesting Material
The only nesting material available that contains a mixture of five natural-colored materials preferred by North American Nesting Birds! Feathers, String, Cotton, Hemp and Aspen Fiber all included! Because it contains all of the above, Nesting Material™ attracts many more birds than "cotton only" mixtures. Birds and consumers love it!!