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Nesting boxes come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. When it comes to color selection, the possibilities are almost limitless. But not every non-box is suitable for every species of bird. The size of the hole or the entrance hole of the nesting box is decisive for the bird species that chooses your nesting box. In other words, depending on the size of the hole, you will attract certain species of birds to your nest boxes. We have put together a small overview for you of which hole size suits which bird species.
hang up nest boxes
In order for the nesting box to be used by the various bird species, it not only has to be hung up in the right place, but care must also be taken to determine whether the bird species is a single or group breeder, because many birds have their own territory away. This is then defended against intruders. One of the lone fighters is the great tit, for example, which does not tolerate any competition from its own species within about 50 meters of its nesting site. Other bird species are only allowed to settle in the territory if they are not competitors for food.
Sociable breeders are, for example, house and tree sparrows, starlings or swifts. However, even with these colony breeders, care should be taken to ensure that there is a minimum distance of 50 centimeters between each "family".
Tip: Also protect the birds from predators. A barbed belt on the tree trunk prevents the cat from climbing up, and a metal cover on the entrance hole prevents woodpeckers from enlarging the opening so that they can then help themselves to the brood.
Nest box in the garden
bird species
From B to G
Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
- a semi-cave box is suitable for the wagtail
- its entrance should be 16 centimeters wide and 9 centimeters high
Wagtail, Motacilla alba
Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
- the entrance to nest boxes for jackdaws should be 15 centimeters in diameter
Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
- Treecreeper nest boxes have the entrance on the side
- a size of 7 x 5 centimeters is ideal for the entrance hole
Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
Redstart and black redstart (Phoenicurus)
- the redstart prefers a slightly larger hole diameter
- an entry hole with a diameter of 45 millimeters is particularly suitable for him
- however, it is also satisfied with smaller entry holes, but the minimum is 34 millimeters
- but the redstart also likes to use an oval entrance
- in this case, the hole should be 48 millimeters high and 32 millimeters wide
Redstart and black redstart, Phoenicurus
Tip: The redstart is a migratory bird. That is why he is happy about an empty incubator in April or early May.
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
- the semi-cave nest box for the spotted spotted flycatcher should have an entrance that is 14 centimeters wide and 9 centimeters high
Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
From H to K
Stock Dove (Columba oenas)
- If you want to offer stock pigeons a place to breed, you should hang up nest boxes with an opening of 80 millimeters
Stock dove, Columba oenas
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
- the nuthatch needs a hole size of 35 millimeters
Nuthatch, Sitta europaea
From M to R
Common Swift (Apus apus)
- the swift prefers an oval entrance hole
- it should be around 6 inches wide and 3 to 3.2 inches high
Common swift, Apus apus
Tits (Paridae)
- small tit species, such as the coal, marsh, willow or crested tit prefer a hole size between 26 and 28 millimeters
- the crested tit and great tit need a slightly larger entrance hole
- an opening of 32 millimeters is ideal for these tit species
- for the little blue tit, the diameter of the entrance hole should be 28 millimeters
- the blue tit also accepts nest boxes with a larger entrance hole, but then it can happen that the great tit drives it away
Tits, Paridae
Tip: Tits choose their territory very early. That's why you can hang up the nest boxes as early as February.
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
- Robins prefer nest boxes with an entry hole of 5 centimeters
Robin, Erithacus rubecula
From S to T
Woodpecker (Picidae)
- If you want to attract a woodpecker with a nest box, you should make sure that the round entrance opening is 6 centimeters in size
Woodpecker, Picidae
Sparrows (Passeridae)
- the ideal hole size for the sparrow is 32 to 35 millimeters
- that's why he also uses nesting boxes that are actually intended for great tits
Sparrows, Passeridae
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
- to give starlings a good entrance, the hole size should be 55 millimeters
- however, the birds can also cope with smaller entrance holes
- the smallest diameter suitable for starlings is 45 millimeters
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
little owl (Athene noctua)
- A nesting box with an entrance of 7 centimeters is particularly suitable for the little owl
- you should also hang the nest box on tall, mature trees
Little Owl, Athene noctua
Pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
- a highly oval entry hole measuring 30 to 34 millimeters is ideal for the pied flycatcher
Pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
Tip: Provide the pied flycatcher with an ideal nesting site by not hanging up the nest box until April or early May.
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
- for kestrels, the entrance should be 10 centimeters in diameter
Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
From W to Z
Tawny owl (Strix aluco)
- Nest box openings with a diameter of between 11 and 13 centimeters are particularly suitable for the tawny owl
Tawny owl, Strix aluco
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
- the wren prefers an oval entrance hole
- it should have a size of 30 x 27 millimeters
Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes