Nest boxes can make a big difference in the garden because many cavity-nesting birds lack natural nesting sites. When you choose the right box type, entrance-hole size and placement, you can specifically help species such as blue tit, great tit, tree sparrow, starling and redstart – and at the same time get more bird life in the garden 🐦🌿.
In this guide you get practical recommendations for bird species, their entrance-hole sizes, where you should hang the boxes, and what actually helps birds in everyday life: food, water, shelter and safety.
🐦 Garden birds that use nest boxes
Here are typical garden species and which boxes suit them.
Small tits and sparrows
- Blue tit: box with a 28 mm hole, hung quietly in a tree or on a building.
- Coal tit: box with a 28 mm hole, preferably near shrubs and trees.
- Crested tit: box with a 28 mm hole, preferably near shrubs and trees.
- Great tit: box with a 32 mm hole, works well for gardens with trees and shrubs.
- Tree sparrow: box with a 32 mm hole, preferably in a quiet corner with cover nearby.
Larger cavity nesters
- Starling: larger box with a 45 mm hole, preferably higher up and with an unobstructed approach.
- Jackdaw: large box with an 80 mm hole, hung high and securely, typically on a building.
Species that prefer half-open boxes
- Robin: half-open box, very quiet placement in shelter and shade, often mounted lower.
- Wren: half-open box, hidden in dense vegetation and placed low.
- Spotted flycatcher: half-open box, quiet corner by a house or garage in shelter.
- Redstart: half-open box, quiet spot in shelter near a building.
In short: In a typical residential garden, a good starting point is 2–3 boxes for blue tit and great tit plus one half-open box for robin. That covers many gardens very well.
🕳️ Entrance-hole sizes and box types
Round hole
- 28 mm: blue tit, coal tit, crested tit
- 32 mm: great tit, tree sparrow
- 45 mm: starling
- 80 mm: jackdaw
💡 Practical rule of thumb: For most gardens, 32 mm is a good choice for great tits. If you want to target small tits, choose 28 mm.
Half-open box
- Robin: very quiet placement, often low and hidden
- Wren: hidden, lower and very close to cover
- Spotted flycatcher: quiet, often sheltered by a building
- Redstart: quiet, often sheltered by a building
Size
- Tit box: internal floor approx. 12 × 12 cm and total height approx. 25–30 cm
- Starling box: internal floor approx. 15 × 15 cm and total height approx. 35 cm
- Jackdaw box: internal floor approx. 20 × 20 cm and total height approx. 40–50 cm
⚠️ Avoid a perch: A stick below the hole rarely helps the birds, but it can make it easier for unwanted visitors to reach the entrance.
📍 Placement
Height
- Tit boxes: 2–4 m up.
- Starling box: 3–6 m up and with an unobstructed approach.
- Jackdaw box: 6–8 m up and securely mounted.
- Half-open boxes: 1–2 m up, robin about 1–1.5 m.
Direction and microclimate
- Avoid a south-facing placement in full sun all day.
- Avoid a west-facing placement where driving rain can get in.
- Preferably place it facing east or northeast, or another sheltered direction.
Unobstructed approach and calm
- Ensure an unobstructed approach to the hole or opening, but ideally have shrubs and trees nearby as cover.
- Avoid hanging the box right next to places with daily traffic.
Distance between boxes
- Keep distance between boxes of the same type to reduce competition.
- Aim for 10–15 m between tit boxes with the same hole size, if the garden allows it.
- You can have several boxes in the same garden when they are spread out and there is enough cover and food.
💡 Tip: Hang the box so there is an unobstructed approach, but avoid branches or ledges right in front of the entrance where a cat can sit and wait.
🌿 What helps birds besides the box
Food for chicks
During the breeding season, many garden birds live on protein-rich food such as insects and larvae. You help most by creating good insect life:
- Let part of the garden be a bit wild, with edges, flowers and perennials.
- Plant shrubs, trees and flowers that attract insects.
- Avoid pesticides that remove the food base.
Water
- A shallow water bowl or a small bird bath helps especially in warm periods.
- Add stones or edges so small animals can get back out.
Feeding during the breeding season
- An insect-rich garden matters most for chicks' survival.
- Feed can be a supplement, but keep it steady and avoid large amounts of bread.
Shelter and safety
- Dense shrubs and hedges provide cover from birds of prey and cats.
- Avoid placing the box where a cat can sit and wait by the entrance.
- Keep strings, netting and loose threads away around nesting areas.
🧼 Cleaning and maintenance
- When: when you are sure the box is empty. Clean in late summer or autumn.
- How: empty the nest, brush the box clean when dry, and check screws, hanger and roof.
- Why: less risk of parasites and a better start next year.
⚠️ Avoid chemicals: A dry brush is enough.
🧠 Common mistakes
- The box gets too hot: move it to more shade or more shelter.
- No one moves in: try a quieter location and ensure an unobstructed approach.
- Too much disturbance: avoid frequent peeking into the box during the breeding season.
- Wrong box type: use a half-open box for robin, wren, spotted flycatcher and redstart.
- Too close between boxes: spread them out, especially if the hole size is the same.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Which birds typically move into nest boxes?
Often blue tit and great tit, in some places tree sparrow, and in larger gardens also starling. Half-open boxes can attract robin, spotted flycatcher and redstart.
Which nest box should I choose for blue tit and great tit?
Choose a box with a 28 mm hole for blue tit and a box with a 32 mm hole for great tit. Hang them in shelter, in a calm spot, with an unobstructed approach.
Should I feed birds when they have chicks?
The most important thing is insects in the garden. Feed can be a supplement, but an insect-rich garden matters most for chicks' survival.
How do I make the box safer from cats?
Place the box so a cat cannot sit by the entrance, and have cover nearby so the birds can quickly fly into cover.
Can I have several nest boxes in the same garden?
Yes. Spread them out and use several types. More boxes give a better chance for breeding pairs and less competition when there is distance, cover and good food.
When should I put up the nest box?
Preferably before the breeding season, but you can put it up all year round. Many birds investigate suitable places well in advance.
