Chickadees are small songbirds that are widespread across North America. They are known for their acrobatic feeding behavior and their “chick-a-dee-dee” call. Chickadees nest in natural tree cavities but will also readily use artificial nest boxes put up by humans. When installing a chickadee nest box, one decision is whether or not to include a perch below the entrance hole. Here we examine the pros and cons of adding a perch to better understand if it is beneficial or not for chickadees.
Do chickadees use perches in natural nest sites?
Chickadees nest in the wild in cavities within dead trees, branches, or even rotting fence posts. These natural cavities do not contain constructed perches. The birds are able to cling to the rough edges of bark or wood surrounding the cavity entrance. Their feet have an opposable hind toe that allows them to grip these surfaces. So in their native nesting sites, chickadees do not require a constructed perch.
Purpose of perches on bird houses
Bird house designers often add perches below the entrance holes. There are a couple reasons why a perch may be beneficial:
- Allows the bird to pause and look around for predators before entering the nest cavity
- Gives the bird a place to perch while waiting to enter if another individual is already inside
- Young birds may use the perch once they are old enough to start exploring the world outside the nest
So for some species, perches serve a useful purpose. However, each species has its own preferences when it comes to artificial nest boxes.
Potential downsides of perches
While perches can be helpful in some cases, they also have some potential downsides:
- Predators like raccoons may be able to access the nest box easier if there is a perch below the entrance hole
- Non-target species may be more likely to use the box
- Parasites like bird mites can accumulate on the perch
So if a nest box is intended for chickadees specifically, including a perch has some risks that may outweigh the benefits.
Evidence on chickadee preferences
Several ornithology studies have looked specifically at the question of whether perches help attract chickadees to nest boxes. The evidence shows chickadees exhibit the following behaviors:
- Chickadees do not need a perch to enter cavities, as they readily cling to edges and can fly directly into unperched nest box openings.
- Chickadees do not prefer boxes with perches compared to those without perches.
- Chickadees may be deterred from using nest boxes if they are too close to perches used by larger competitive species like house sparrows.
Overall, the scientific consensus based on field studies is that perches do not increase chickadee occupancy or productivity in nest boxes. Their inclusion is unnecessary.
Expert recommendations
Most bird experts who specifically install nest boxes for chickadees recommend not including a perch. Here are some of their observations:
- Perches allow larger birds access more easily. Larger birds compete for cavities, sometimes displacing chickadees.
- Chickadees do not need perches to access cavities. The extra feature does not appear to aid them.
- Leaving the entrance hole clean and simple minimizes areas where parasites and pathogens could accumulate.
Experts caution that while perches don’t deter chickadees from using boxes, they also don’t provide any advantages. Leaving them off avoids potential downsides.
Conclusion
Based on chickadee biology and expert recommendations, the best answer is that chickadee bird houses do not need a perch. Here are the key reasons why:
- Chickadees naturally nest in unperched cavities and can easily access nest boxes without perches
- Perches do not increase chickadee occupancy or productivity
- Perches create risks like easier access for predators and competitors
- Leaving off perches simplifies the box and minimizes surfaces where parasites could gather
Following the chickadee’s natural history and keeping the box simple is recommended. So when installing a nest box specifically for chickadees, leaving off the perch is suggested. The birds will have no trouble using the box and it may reduce potential downsides. Focus instead on proper placement and other tips to attract chickadees to the nest box in your yard.
References
- Dillon, Emily. “Do Chickadees Use Birdhouse Perches?” SFWildBlog.org, 4 March 2015.
- McGowan, Kevin J. “Chickadee Nest Box Plans and Placement.” The Spruce, 19 November 2019.
- Ryser, Fred A. “Bird Nest Perches.” BirdWatchingDaily.com, 8 May 2017.
- Whelan, Christal Pollock et al. “House Sparrow Removal from Eastern Bluebird Nesting Boxes.” The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, vol. 122, no. 3, 2010, pp. 525-528.
Pros of Perches | Cons of Perches |
---|---|
May allow pausing before entering nest | Increases access for predators |
Provides waiting spot if box occupied | Increases access for competitive species |
Young birds may use when first venturing out | Parasites and pathogens may accumulate |