A Guide to Different Kinds of Nest Boxes for Wild Birds

The Best Nest Boxes for Birds

Not all nest boxes are created equal. The best nest boxes are those designed with specific bird species in mind, ensuring they provide the right level of security, ventilation, and insulation. High-quality nest boxes, such as those available from Haith's, are built to withstand the elements while providing birds with a safe place to breed.

Here are some key features to look for in a good nest box:

  • Durable Materials

    Wood is the preferred material, with at least 15 mm thickness for insulation.

  • Correct Entrance Hole Size

    Different birds require different hole sizes, from 25mm for blue tits to 32mm for great tits and house sparrows.

  • Easy Access for Cleaning

    A hinged or removable panel allows for annual cleaning to prevent parasites.

  • Weather Protection

    A sloped roof, drainage holes, and overhanging eaves help keep the nest dry.

  • Predator Protection

    Metal plates around the entrance hole can prevent woodpeckers or squirrels from enlarging it and accessing the chicks.
Giant Roost Pocket for Robins - Haith's

A robin nest box should have:

  • An open front with a partially concealed entrance.
  • A depth of at least 150mm to keep eggs and chicks safe.
  • Placement within dense vegetation, such as ivy, hedges, or shrubs, for additional cover.
  • A height of 1–2 metres above the ground, ideally away from direct sunlight and strong winds.

Haith’s offers a range of robin-friendly nest boxes designed to provide these ideal conditions, helping you encourage robins to settle and raise their young in your garden.

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Which Birds Use Nest Boxes?

Many species of garden birds will readily take to a nest box, provided it meets their needs. By offering different types of nest boxes, you can support a variety of species and enjoy watching their fascinating breeding behaviours up close. Here are some of the most common UK birds that use nest boxes:

  • blue tit

    Blue Tit (Cyanistescaeruleus)

    Prefers a small hole (25mm) in a standard box.

  • Great Tit

    Great Tit (Parus major)

    Requires a slightly larger hole (32mm).

  • House Sparrow

    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

    Enjoys communal nesting and will use terrace-style boxes.

  • Two starlings

    Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

    Needs a 45mm entrance hole and a deeper box.

  • Wren sat on a fence

    Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

    Uses small, enclosed spaces with side entrances.

  • robin

    Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

    Prefers an open-fronted design.

  • treecreeper

    Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris)

    Needs a wedge-shaped box placed against tree trunks.

  • Barn Owl

    Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

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What is a Wren’s Nest Like?

Wrens are tiny but industrious birds with a distinctive loud song. Their nests are compact and well-hidden, usually located in crevices, hedgerows, or even inside sheds and garages.

A wren’s nest typically:

  • Is made from moss, leaves, and feathers, bound together with spider webs.
  • Is shaped like a domed structure with a small entrance hole.
  • Can be built in unusual places, including hanging baskets and old boots!
  • Is constructed by the male, who builds several nests for the female to choose from.

To attract wrens, consider installing a small, enclosed nest box with a side entrance, positioned in a sheltered, quiet area.

  • Cup Nests

    Built by blackbirds, thrushes, and finches using twigs, moss, and mud.

  • Cavity Nests

    Used by woodpeckers and nuthatches, often in hollow trees or nest boxes.

  • Weaved Nests

    Created by species such as the long-tailed tit, using moss, feathers, and cobwebs to form an intricate structure.

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