The Joy – and usefulness – of Birdhouses
Nest boxes are among the best-known ways to support birds — but do they really help?
According to Jan Södersved from BirdLife Finland, the answer is both yes… and no. While he strongly encourages putting up birdhouses, their effectiveness varies greatly depending on the species and placement.
“The most common birds nesting in boxes in Finland — such as great tits, blue tits, pied flycatchers, and Eurasian tree sparrows — are adaptable and resilient species that generally do fine even without nest boxes,” Södersved explains. “If the goal is to help rarer or more threatened species, the box needs to be specifically designed and placed with their needs in mind.”
For example, willow tits and crested tits often reject standard boxes. They prefer decaying trees and structures that resemble natural cavities. One way to make a box more appealing is to fill it with coarse sawdust, giving the bird the opportunity to excavate the cavity itself. Owls, on the other hand, require large boxes placed in quiet forested areas — and these should ideally be installed with the help of an expert or licensed bird ringer. Even robins or northern wheatears may accept nest boxes, and occasionally other guests such as redstarts or wrynecks may also move in.
Beyond being useful, nest boxes also bring joy. A box placed in your garden offers a front-row seat to the lives of birds: nest building, chick feeding, and those unforgettable first flights. Careful observation can even reveal subtle behaviour. Who stays loyal to their mate? Who helps with chick-rearing? And which partner stays behind with the young while the other joins a flock heading south?
Placing and maintaining Nest boxes
Birds already accustomed to humans in residential areas are rarely disturbed, even by movement near their birdhouse. Still, it’s best to place the box in as peaceful a spot as possible.
In the case of certain species, like the common goldeneye, special care should be taken with placement to ensure that chicks jumping out of the box don’t land on sharp rocks or other hazards. Attention should also be paid to the interior: the surface should be rough, or fitted with horizontal grooves or ledges so chicks can climb out safely.
One of the most common misconceptions, according to Södersved, is that boxes need to be placed as high as possible. That’s unnecessary — eye level is perfectly fine. When a box is easy to reach, people are more likely to clean and maintain it.
Birds may use nest boxes for shelter year-round, especially in winter. And while they may occupy a box throughout the year, Södersved notes that it can be cleaned at any time — except during the nesting season.
“Some people recommend cleaning in spring, but I prefer autumn,” Södersved says. “Removing old nesting material before winter allows the box to dry out properly and eliminates parasites.”
It’s also good practice to regularly check the condition and stability of the box to prevent it from falling during the breeding season.
What about Territorial disputes?
“Four to five pairs can nest within half a hectare,” Södersved says. “Some species tolerate each other better than others, and some — like swallows — actually prefer nesting close together.”
Swallows are considered threatened, and helping them can make a real difference. You can learn more about artificial nests for swallows on BirdLife Finland’s website (in Finnish). The site also offers detailed guidance on how to build, place, and maintain nest boxes.
Since birds use nest boxes throughout the year, Södersved points out that they can be installed at any time. Some species start using them as early as March, while others arrive in Finland as late as May. So it’s definitely not too late to welcome new residents this year.
