Bird Nest Boxes | Robin, Sparrow & Swift Nest Boxes

Give garden birds a safer place to nest, roost and shelter with the right nest box. Explore Haith’s range of bird nest boxes, robin nest boxes, sparrow boxes, swift boxes, nesting material and cleaning products, designed to help support different species and create a more wildlife-friendly garden.

Need help choosing or positioning a nest box? Read our guide below.

Blue tit at a garden nest box

Choosing A Bird Nest Box

Start With The Bird. Then Choose The Box.

Different birds use different nesting spaces, so there is no single nest box that suits every species.

Start with the birds present locally, then think about entrance style, hole size, box position and how easily the box can be checked and maintained.

Quick Nest Box Chooser

Which Type Of Nest Box?

01 / Small Hole

Hole-Fronted Nest Boxes

Suitable for a range of small cavity-nesting birds, depending on the entrance-hole size.

02 / Open Front

Robin Nest Boxes

Robins use open-fronted nesting spaces rather than the small round entrance used by many tits and sparrows.

03 / Colony Nesting

Sparrow Colony Boxes

House Sparrows may nest close to one another, so multi-compartment colony boxes can provide several nesting spaces together.

04 / Specialist

Swift Boxes

Swifts need specialist boxes and siting, so use a purpose-designed box rather than a general garden nest box.

Entrance Hole Size

A Few Millimetres Can Change Which Birds Use The Box

With hole-fronted boxes, the diameter of the entrance is one of the most useful things to check before buying.

Smaller holes can limit access to smaller cavity-nesting birds, while larger openings allow a broader range of species to investigate.

25mm Blue Tit, Coal Tit and Marsh Tit.
28mm Great Tit and Tree Sparrow.
32mm House Sparrow and Nuthatch, with access also possible for smaller hole-nesting birds.
Traditional hole-fronted wooden bird nest box

Hole-Fronted Boxes

A Familiar Choice For Cavity-Nesting Birds

Hole-fronted boxes recreate the kind of enclosed nesting space used by a number of familiar garden species.

Check the entrance size rather than choosing only by appearance, and make sure the box is well made, weather-resistant and accessible for end-of-season maintenance.

Blue tit using a nest box

Smaller Hole-Fronted Boxes

Choose The Opening With The Bird In Mind

Blue Tits readily use suitable hole-fronted nest boxes, and a smaller entrance can reduce access by some larger species.

If you want a more general small-bird box, a slightly larger entrance may allow a wider range of cavity-nesting species to investigate.

Sparrow colony nest box with multiple nesting compartments

Sparrow Colony Boxes

Some Birds Prefer To Nest Near Their Neighbours

House Sparrows often nest in loose colonies, so a multi-compartment nest box can provide several nesting spaces within one structure.

As with any nest box, the presence of a suitable box does not guarantee occupation. Local birds, surrounding habitat and siting all influence what happens.

Positioning The Box

Shelter Matters More Than A Compass Rule

A north or north-easterly aspect is often useful because it can help avoid strong direct sun and prevailing wet weather, but the conditions around the actual site matter more than simply following one direction.

Aim for a clear flight path, avoid obvious sun traps and heavy exposure, and choose a position that is not easily reached by predators or repeatedly disturbed.

Look At The Site

  • 01 Avoid strong direct sun for long periods.
  • 02 Avoid places exposed to driving rain.
  • 03 Keep the flight path reasonably clear.
  • 04 Consider access by cats and other predators.
  • 05 Keep the box away from busy feeding activity.
Garden bird at a wooden nest box

Nesting & Feeding

Give Nesting Birds Some Space From The Feeders

A busy feeding point brings regular bird movement into a small area, which is not always what a nesting pair needs close to its box.

Treat feeding and nesting as two parts of the same bird garden, but give each enough space to function well.

Read The Bird Feeder Guide

When Birds Move In

An Active Nest Should Be Left Alone

Once birds are actively nesting, avoid unnecessary disturbance and do not open, move or clean the box.

Active wild-bird nests are protected by law in the UK, so maintenance should wait until the box is no longer in use.

Starling at a nest box entrance

Nest Box Care

Clean Only When The Box Is No Longer Active

Nest boxes can be checked and cleaned after the breeding season, but always make sure the box is no longer active before opening or removing nesting material.

Remove old nesting material when appropriate, check the box for damage and make sure drainage, fittings and access remain in good condition before the next season.

Explore Hygiene & Accessories

End-Of-Season Check

  • 01 Confirm the nest is no longer active.
  • 02 Remove old material only when appropriate.
  • 03 Check the roof and fixings.
  • 04 Make sure drainage remains clear.
  • 05 Leave the box ready for future use.

Nesting Material

Birds Build The Nest

The nest box provides the space. The birds themselves decide whether to use it and build the nest inside.

If you offer nesting material separately, keep it clean, dry and suitable for birds rather than packing material directly into the nest box for them.

Make Space For Nature

A Nest Box Is One Part Of A Bird-Friendly Garden

Nesting space works alongside natural cover, plants, water, feeding opportunities and the wider structure of the garden.

Rather than expecting one box to transform the garden, think about the different things birds need at different times of year.

Explore Birds In Your Garden
Blue tit looking from a nest box

Continue Exploring

Build A Better Bird Garden

Bird Feeders Explore feeding equipment → Bird Feeder Guide Choose the right feeder → Wild Bird Food Explore feeding choices → Shop By Wild Bird Learn more about garden visitors → Responsible Bird Feeding Feed birds properly → Bird Care & Hygiene Manage equipment well →

Helpful Answers

Bird Nest Box FAQs

Practical guidance on choosing, positioning and looking after nest boxes for garden birds.

Which bird nest box should I choose?

Start with the birds present locally. Small hole-fronted boxes suit several cavity-nesting species, Robins use open-fronted boxes, House Sparrows may use colony boxes and Swifts need specialist nest boxes.

What size entrance hole should a bird box have?

Hole size influences which birds can use the box. As a general guide, 25mm suits Blue, Coal and Marsh Tits, 28mm suits Great Tit and Tree Sparrow, while 32mm suits House Sparrow and Nuthatch and may also be used by smaller hole-nesting birds.

Do Robins use nest boxes with round holes?

Robins generally use open-fronted nesting spaces, so choose a nest box designed around that nesting style rather than a conventional small hole-fronted box.

Where should I put a bird nest box?

Choose a sheltered position away from prolonged strong sunlight and heavy exposure, with a reasonably clear flight path and consideration for predators and disturbance.

Does a nest box have to face north-east?

Not necessarily. North and north-easterly aspects are often useful, but the main aim is to avoid strong direct sun and heavy weather entering the box. Local conditions should guide the final position.

How high should a bird nest box be?

Small hole-fronted boxes are commonly positioned roughly one to three metres above ground, although the best height depends on the species, location and risk of disturbance or predators.

Should I put a nest box next to a bird feeder?

It is better to give nesting birds some space from busy feeding points. Frequent bird activity around feeders may disturb birds using a nearby nest box.

Can I clean a bird box while birds are nesting?

No. Do not open, clean or move an actively used nest box. Wait until nesting has finished and you are confident the box is no longer active.

When should I clean a bird nest box?

Clean it after the breeding season and only once you are certain the nest is no longer active. Check current guidance before removing old nests or unhatched eggs.

Does putting up a nest box guarantee birds will use it?

No. A suitable nest box provides an opportunity, but occupation depends on local birds, habitat, competition, box design and position.