Nest Box A Welcome Mat For Birds

Spring officially arrived this weekend, but the bird-nesting season is already under way.

Some birds nest on the ground or in trees and under bridges. Other birds prefer tree cavities or other natural features, but will use man-made nest boxes when natural sites are scarce.

Owls are among the few birds that consider their nest a home. Most birds use nests only for the rearing of offspring.

Some of these birds were already checking out nesting accommodations by mid-February. Still, it’s not too late to build boxes for specific species.

Building nest boxes, or simply cleaning out boxes that already have been set out, are fun family projects that set the stage for observing bird families through the spring.

The first step is learning what kinds of nest boxes are used by birds in your area.

Nest box users in this area include flickers, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and wood ducks.

Migrants that winter in warmer climes have been returning to set up housekeeping in our backyards. Bluebirds, one of the most colorful nest-box users, are among the earliest to return.

These eye-pleasing birds are among the most in need of a helping hand.

Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they rely on primary cavity nesters like woodpeckers to excavate and then abandon holes in trees. With trees becoming more scarce near open fields where bluebirds feed on insects, and competition is fierce for nest sites, bluebirds need all the help they can get.

Although not as showy, the house wren is another secondary cavity nester worth inviting into the yard.

The male house wren will build nests in several cavities and let his mate choose the one she likes best. The little male puts his heart into cramming sticks as long as 8 inches into the tiny nest box opening. He likes to leave a few inches of a stick protruding out the hole to discourage other nest-seeking birds.

“The house wren is one of the most beneficial birds a gardener can have in his backyard,” said Jim Acton, Spokane Audubon Society veteran birdwatcher. `That little bird will inspect everything in the garden, including the stems, leaves, branches, ground cover and even the understructure of the roof in search of grubs, caterpillars and spiders.”

While bluebirds are already arriving, look for house wrens to show up around the third week in April.

Actually, you don’t even have to be looking. The house wren’s high-pitched rippling laugh is one of the cheeriest songs in the yard.

“You watch a male house wren and you can’t believe all that music can come out of such a little body,” Acton said. “He sings his fool head off.”

But any nest box won’t do for these special birds. Bluebirds, woodpeckers and other nest box birds have specific needs. The bigger the bird, the bigger the nest box needed. Placement also can make a difference. And size and design of the opening are important to keep out competitive exotic species such as English sparrows.

Research has shown that a difference of inch in the diameter of a nest box hole can make a big difference in whether bluebirds succeed in fledging a family.

The Idaho Fish and Game Department, (208) 769-1414, and Washington Fish and Wildlife Department, 456-4082, offer information on nest box dimensions, construction, placement and maintenance for species in this region.