Some birds use nest boxes as roost sites after the breeding season is over. Nest boxes protect birds from rain, snow, wind, and cold, but there are some parts that aren’t great for sleeping in at night. They aren’t always big enough for groups of birds to roost in, and the smooth sides and open interiors don’t give birds many places to sit.
So your nest boxes might see double duty as roost sites during winter. But if you’d like to go one step further, you could provide a specially designed roost box. Any backyard favorites that typically nest in boxes—bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and small woodpeckers—may seek refuge in it. Sometimes more than a dozen birds will pile into a single box to conserve heat.
Roosting boxes differ from nest boxes in several ways. Because it’s not meant to let birds’ body heat escape, a good roost box has fewer holes for air flow than a nest box. Also, its entrance hole is near the bottom of the box so the rising warmth doesn’t escape.
Inside a roost box there may be several perches made from small wooden dowels, staggered at different levels. It is possible to make the inside front and back walls rough, score them, or cover them with hardware cloth so that woodpeckers can stick to them. A hinged top allows easy access so you can clean the box.
Some people modify their empty nest boxes for winter to make them better for roosting. Some methods are flipping the front panel over so that the hole for the entrance is at the bottom, adding sticks for perches, and blocking some of the holes for air flow.
Find out more about roost boxes on All About Birds: Attract Birds With Roost Boxes. And check out these links for roost box plans:
During the cold winter months, birds need shelter from the elements just as much as they do in spring and summer. Providing roosting boxes and birdhouses gives essential refuge for birds that remain in your area year-round. Even migrating birds appreciate a warm, dry place to rest on their journeys.
But will wild birds actually use birdhouses in the winter? And what can you do to make your birdhouses more suitable for winter roosting? Here’s what to know:
Why Birds Use Birdhouses in Winter
Birdhouses provide key protections that birds need to survive the harsh conditions of winter:
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Warmth – Cavities trap the birds’ body heat to keep them warm overnight when temperatures drop below freezing.
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Shelter from wind – Boxes provide a windbreak so birds don’t lose body heat
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Protection from snow or rain – Birdhouses keep birds dry in wet winter weather.
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Safety from predators – Enclosed cavities offer a safe place to rest at night hidden from predators.
Even birds that migrate still need periodic shelter on their long journeys south. And year-round residents like chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and titmice rely on roosting spots for warmth during frigid nights.
So providing birdhouses in winter is just as important as having them available in spring and summer nesting seasons
What Types of Birds Use Winter Birdhouses?
Many of the same cavity nesters that use birdhouses and nest boxes in warmer months will also use them for winter shelter:
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- Titmice
- Bluebirds
- Wrens
- Sparrows
- Woodpeckers
Small songbirds like chickadees and titmice will even pile into a single birdhouse together, huddling for warmth.
Preparing Birdhouses for Winter Use
You don’t need to take down your nest boxes in winter. But there are a few tweaks that can make them even better suited for cold weather roosting:
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Seal ventilation holes and gaps with caulk or tape to prevent drafts. Leave the entry hole open.
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Install a sliding plexiglass panel over the entry hole to trap heat while still allowing access.
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Add extra wood shavings, dry grass or pine needles for insulation.
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Face the entry hole away from the prevailing winter wind direction.
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Mount the house under the eaves of a building or tree branches to provide additional wind and snow protection.
Using Roosting Boxes in Winter
In addition to standard nest boxes, you can also provide roosting boxes specifically designed for winter use:
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Use wood 2-3 inches thick to hold more interior warmth.
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The entry hole should be on the bottom with an extended landing platform birds can grip when entering.
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Add multiple perches at varying heights made of tree branches or wooden dowels.
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Score the inside front panel or add hardware cloth for woodpeckers to grip.
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Make the box large enough for multiple birds to huddle together.
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Ventilation holes are fewer but include grooves that birds can cling to.
Place roosting boxes 10-15 feet high on tree trunks, poles or under the eaves of buildings.
Winter Birdhouse Placement Tips
To provide the most protection from winter conditions, place birdhouses:
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In a sheltered spot protected from strong winds.
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With the entrance hole facing away from the prevailing winter winds in your region.
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Under tree branches or overhangs to shield it from heavy snow loads.
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Close to winter food sources like berry bushes or feeders.
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Overlooking an open area with good visibility so birds can watch for predators.
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At least 5-10 feet off the ground to deter predators.
Maintaining Your Winter Birdhouses
To keep your birdhouses clean, dry and safe for winter roosting:
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In fall, clean out old nests and debris and wash with a diluted bleach solution. Rinse and allow to fully dry before mounting.
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Check boxes occasionally and remove any dead birds if needed.
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Make repairs to any leaks or holes that could allow cold air inside.
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Brush off any accumulated snow but avoid disturbing roosting birds.
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Consider leaving some boxes uncleaned over winter to provide much-needed shelter. Clean them out thoroughly in spring before nesting season.
With a little preparation and care, your birdhouses and nest boxes can provide essential winter refuge. Just as they depend on our feeders for food in the cold months, birds also rely on us for safe roosting spots to survive until spring.
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Do birds use birdhouses in winter?
FAQ
Why don t birds use birdhouses in the winter?
What time of year do birds use birdhouses?
Should you empty out bird houses every year?
Why are birdhouses important in winter?
Birdhouses can serve as a refuge where birds can huddle together to conserve heat and stay protected from wind and precipitation. Additionally, winter bird feeding becomes crucial during this time, as food sources become scarce. By providing bird feeders, humans can help sustain birds during the winter months when natural food sources are limited.
Should you put a Birdhouse around your home in winter?
So, you have to make sure that you place your birdhouse around your home in early winter. Lack of Cleanliness: Typically, birds don’t like dirty places to stay. If your birdhouse is not properly cleaned, chances are birds won’t come to your birdhouse. That’s why clean your birdhouse thoroughly before winter.
Why do birds use birdhouses?
Not all birds migrate to warmer regions during winter, and not all non-migratory birds take shelter in trees or shrubs. This is why birdhouses are the places where the non-migratory birds can be safe, warm, and protected from predators during cold winter. Birds use birdhouses for mainly two reasons: nesting and roosting.
Can birdhouses be used for nesting?
For cavity-nesting birds, houses can provide the perfect place to build a nest and nurture baby birds, and other species may also use birdhouses as temporary shelters during cold snaps or poor weather. If the houses aren’t up, however, they can’t be used.
