When it comes to providing shelter for birds, there are two main options: nest boxes and birdhouses. Both can offer safe places for birds to raise their young, get out of the elements, and rest. But is one better than the other? There are pros and cons to both nest boxes and birdhouses.
What is a nest box?
A nest box is a man-made box intended to simulate a natural cavity in a tree that birds can nest in. Nest boxes usually have an entrance hole that leads to an open interior space. They are made of wood, metal, or even plastic and hung on trees, posts, buildings, or other structures. The size of the entrance hole and interior space depends on the type of bird the nest box is designed to attract. Nest boxes provide important habitat for many birds that nest in cavities, like woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, bluebirds, and titmice.
What is a birdhouse?
A birdhouse is also a man-made structure meant to provide nesting sites for birds. However, birdhouses usually have a more decorative, house-like appearance with an overhanging roof, ornamental detailing, and a perching area at the entrance. While nest boxes tend to have a purely utilitarian, box-like shape. Birdhouses provide important nesting sites for hole-nesting species like wrens, swallows, bluebirds, and titmice.
Differences between nest boxes and birdhouses
Entrance hole
Nest boxes typically have a plain, circular entrance hole, while birdhouses often have a decorated, arched opening. The entrance hole is one of the most important features. Nest box holes are sized specifically for the target species. Birdhouse holes tend to be more generic.
Interior design
The interior of a nest box has a simple, empty space with a bottom lined with wood chips. Birdhouses often have elaborate, multi-chambered interiors with perches.
Rain protection
Nest boxes may or may not have overhangs above the entrance holes. Birdhouses always have decorative roofs that provide rain protection.
Materials
Nest boxes are usually made of rougher, more natural wood or wooden composites. Birdhouses feature finer ornamental woods, or even painted and decorative metal.
Appearance
Nest boxes have a plain, rustic look. Birdhouses aim for an ornamental, decorative style.
Advantages of nest boxes
Species-specific design
Since nest boxes are tailored to particular species with custom entrance hole sizes, they are more likely to attract the desired tenants. Birdhouses with generic holes may be occupied by aggressive, non-native species.
Materials
Nest boxes are made from natural, breathable materials like unfinished wood. This allows any moisture inside to evaporate rather than getting trapped and causing mold.
Ventilation
The open underside of many nest box designs provides ventilation to keep the interior cool. Enclosed birdhouses can overheat in summer.
Easy monitoring
The side, top, or front panel of a nest box is often removable to allow easy monitoring of the nest inside without disturbance. Monitoring occupied birdhouses is harder.
Durability
Made from unfinished wood or wood composites, nest boxes stand up well to outdoor conditions and last longer than many decorative birdhouses.
Advantages of birdhouses
Appearance
For many people, an ornamental birdhouse is more visually appealing than a plain nest box. Birdhouses add decorative interest to gardens and yards.
Shelter from elements
Birdhouses provide increased shelter from wind, rain, and sun with their enclosed designs and overhanging roofs. Nest boxes may leave birds more exposed.
Predator protection
Decorative elements like enclosed entrances, smaller openings, and perches can make it harder for predators to access nesting birds. More open nest boxes are vulnerable.
Interior perches
Birdhouses often come with features like interior perches, ridges, and grooves for the birds to grip while nesting. Nest boxes do not provide perches.
Multi-chamber design
Many birdhouses have partitioned interiors allowing multiple pairs of breeding birds. Nest boxes only support one pair.
Conclusion
So is a nest box or birdhouse better for attracting breeding birds? Overall nest boxes seem to have some significant functional advantages over birdhouses. Nest boxes are designed specifically to meet the needs of particular species in terms of hole size, ventilation, materials, and ease of monitoring. This can make them more effective and safer for supporting nesting native songbirds.
Birdhouses provide more decorative appeal and weather protection but are less tailored for the requirements of any one species. However, birdhouses can be a good option for attracting introduced species around your yard that are less picky about nest sites.
The best approach may be to install both nest boxes suited to your native species and ornamental birdhouses for non-native species around your garden. Carefully cleaning out old nesting material after each season and properly positioning and mounting the boxes will help ensure success. With both types up, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of nature and beauty.
Feature | Nest Box | Birdhouse |
---|---|---|
Entrance hole | Plain, sized for specific species | Decorative, more generic sizing |
Interior | Simple open space | Elaborate, multi-chamber |
Rain protection | Minimal | Overhanging roof |
Materials | Natural unfinished wood | Ornamental woods or metal |
Appearance | Plain and rustic | Decorative and ornamental |
Advantages |
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