How to Choose the Right Nesting Box

Nesting

Bird Houses

Some of the most entertaining bird behaviour to watch occurs during the nesting season! Providing bird houses in your backyard will encourage birds that are already feeding from your feeders to raise a family right where you can watch the making of the nest, the feeding of the hatchlings, and watching the young learn to fly.  

Not all birds are cavity nesters.  Chickadees, bluebirds, wrens, woodpeckers, nuthatches, tree swallows, screech owls, kestrels and wood ducks will all use cavities for their nests. Primary cavity nesters, most woodpeckers, will excavate their own hole. Birds such as chickadees, wrens, bluebirds and tree swallows are considered secondary cavity nesters. They will use cavities provided by nature or previous holes created by woodpeckers.  

There are different specifications for each bird species that will use a bird house. The size of the box and the size of the entrance hole will determine which bird species the box is designed for. A good, functional bird house should meet these six requirements:

  • Designed for the species, according to the bird's size and nesting requirements
  • Drainage holes in the bottom of the house
  • Ventilation holes to provide release for heat build-up
  • Easy to clean
  • Easily hung or mounted
  • Durable to withstand several seasons of use

For more information on best locations and sizes of birdhouses and nesting habits, download a copy of our Nesting Behaviour Chart.

 

EcoTough® Chickadee/Wren House

It has a 1-1/8" diameter entrance hole. It allows for proper drainage and ventilation to keep the nest and babies dry and has an ideal floor size for wrens and chickadees. It also includes our two-way opening system. The side opens for clean-out, and the roof opens for monitoring the nest. EcoTough® feeders and houses are environmentally friendly, high quality products that are made from recycled plastic milk jugs. These feeders and houses prevent used milk jugs from making their way into our landfills. EcoTough feeders and houses won't rot, crack, fade or warp like wood can. Comes with a limited lifetime guarantee. Dimensions: 9 1/2" x 6 3/4" x 8" (16 3/4" with hanger).

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Chickadee/Wren House

House Opening: 1-1/8" diameter entrance hole Our high quality House Wren/Chickadee bird house is made of durable red cedar. Its design allows for proper drainage and ventilation to keep the nest and babies dry and has an ideal floor size for wrens and chickadees. Also includes our two-way opening system. The side opens for clean out and the roof opens for monitoring the nest.

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EcoTough® Eastern Bluebird Nesting Box

House Opening: 1-1/2" diameter entrance hole Our top-of-the-line bluebird house features all of the key elements needed for a successful nesting experience for both tenant and landlord. It's the ideal size for bluebirds, and it includes the proper drainage and ventilation to keep babies dry. Our unique two-way opening system makes cleaning, maintenance and monitoring a snap. EcoTough® feeders and houses are environmentally friendly, high quality products that are made from recycled plastic milk jugs. These feeders and houses prevent used milk jugs from making their way into our landfills. EcoTough® feeders and houses won't rot, crack, fade or warp like wood can. Limited lifetime guarantee. Dimensions: 11 3/4" x 8 1/4" x 10 3/4".

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Modern Rustic Bluebird House

House Opening: 1-1/2" diameter entrance hole. Our top-of-the-line bluebird house features all of the key elements needed for a successful nesting experience for both tenant and landlord. It's the ideal size for bluebirds, and it includes the proper drainage and ventilation to keep babies dry. Our unique two-way opening system makes cleaning, maintenance and monitoring a snap. Made from our EcoTough® recycled plastic material with a stylish Modern Rustic finish, this earth-friendly nesting box prevents used milk jugs from making their way into our landfills. Won't rot, crack, fade or warp like wood can. Limited lifetime guarantee. Dimensions: 11 3/4" x 8 1/4" x 10 3/4".

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WBU Fundamentals Wren House (Red)

A-frames have always been popular among the wren community. That's why this cozy cottage would make a superb home for the wrens in your yard. Specially designed to meet the needs of wrens, this bird house features rustproof hardware and is easy to hang. Offered in 1-1/2", 1-1/4" and 1-1/8" hole openings as regionally appropriate. Also available in Green.

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Eastern Bluebird Nesting Box

House Opening: 1½" diameter entrance hole Our top-of-the-line bluebird house features all of the key elements needed for a successful nesting experience for both tenant and landlord. It's the ideal size for bluebirds, and it includes the proper drainage and ventilation to keep babies dry. Our unique two-way opening system makes cleaning, maintenance and monitoring a snap.

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Bamboo Bluebird House

Ultimate renewable bamboo house is made with eco-friendly bamboo. Bamboo is a very hard wood, fast-growing, durable and naturally insect, squirrel, and weather resistant. House has a side opening for cleaning.

 

 

Downy Woodpecker House

The smallest woodpecker in North America and the most common at backyard feeders. This nesting box includes a slate predator guard and woodchips. The side opens for observation and easy cleaning. Ventilation keeps the house from overheating while the drainage holes help to keep the nest dry. Downy Woodpeckers can also use this house in the winter for roosting in colder weather so you may want to install this box in the fall. Made from Eastern White Pine for durability and insulation.

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Three-Woodpecker House (Hairy, Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpeckers)

Handcrafted from eastern white pine for durability and insulation, this functional nesting box includes a slate entrance to deter squirrels from chewing on and entering the box. Wood chips are included to allow cavity excavation and drainage holes keep the home dry and clean. The side opens for easy cleaning and observation. Designed for Hairy, Red-headed and Red-bellied woodpeckers.

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Flicker House

Handcrafted from eastern white pine for durability and insulation, this functional nesting box is ideal for Flickers. Wood chips are included to allow cavity excavation while drainage and ventilation holes keep the home dry and clean. The side opens for easy cleaning and observation. A textured interiors helps fledglings climb out when they're ready to leave the house. Dimensions: 17 3/4"h x 9 1/4"w x 11"d.

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Screech Owl Box

This Screech Owl box is made from cedar and has a 4" diameter entrance. It has an easy to open door on the front that makes cleaning east and fast. The nesting box must be mounted quite high on a tree or pole. Preferably in or near a woody wet area. 

 

Convertible Winter Roosting Box

Offer your birds a protected, sheltered place for them to roost in overnight. Roosting boxes are constructed similar to a nesting box, with a few important modifications. The entrance hole is placed at the bottom so that less heat is lost as it rises. There is a ladder inside for more than one bird to roost on; Chickadees are among the backyard birds that will roost communally to stay even warmer. The front panel comes off and switches around to become a nesting box in the spring & summer!

 

Purple Martin House

We offer a 4-room Purple Martin House. Durable yet easy to clean. Location is key to a successful Purple Martin House. Place the house in a clear flyway. The centre of the largest open area at least 40 feet from trees or buildings. Near to water is best as they love insects. The height of the house should be 12 - 20 ft. Once they have found the house they will return to it year after year.

 

Diamond Western Cedar Mason Bee Shelter

Add more valuable bee pollinators to your garden with the Diamond Western Cedar Mason Bee Shelter. Mason Bees are excellent pollinators. A single Mason Bee can do the pollinating job of nearly 100 honeybees. They do not product honey, but serve a vital role as pollinators. They also very rarely sting. 

Mason Bees work with mud to build and seal their nests, as pollinators, Mason Bees are attracted to flowering plants, such as vegetables, fruit trees & bushes, flowering annuals, perennials and vine plants. Mount to a post or wall ideally near a source of mud and flowering plants known to attract bees. House comes with nesting tubes. Outside dimensions: 22 x 23 x 17 cm or 15 x 9 x 6.5 Inches

The fiberboard nesting tubes should be replaced each spring after Mason Bees have emerged from their nests.Replacement nesting tubes sold separately. 

 

Predator Guard:

In the case of squirrels or raccoons trying to get inside a nesting box, a metal ring around the entrance hole can prevent them from chewing the hole wider. Available in 1 1/8", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" diameter.

 

Nesting Material:

Our Nesting Ball is made of cotton and other fibres that the birds will use to build their nest. Hang this from a tree branch or your APS birdfeeding station next to the feeders, and watch the birds take it away piece by piece!

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Nesting SuperBlend™

Be seasonally savvy with this new Nesting SuperBlend™!! It offers a super-boost of protein and calcium for birds' nesting & molting needs. A birds need for calcium and protein substantially increases during nesting season. When they obtain a sufficient amount of protein and calcium, it can greatly benefit the health and number of eggs, and is crucial for muscle and feather development. Offer this new blend alone or mixed with your current blend. It is packed full of sunflower chips, peanuts, dried mealworms, bark butter bits, saflower, tree nuts and calcium! Available as a seed cylinder or a bag. 

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