Nesting: Bringing Bird Families Home

Think Spring!

What a great time of year! Longer days and warmer temperatures help to rapidly reawaken the natural world around us during this true season of renewal. Our fields and forests celebrate with splashes of amazing colors…from freshly blooming wildflowers to the return of migrant songbirds decked out in their finest breeding plumage.

Yes, nesting season is just around the corner. A new generation of birds will soon be entering the world.

Many of them will call your yard home. You might even say that their families will become part of your family. And you can make a significant difference in how well these extended families will thrive and survive in your own backyard.

Consider providing a little “pre-natal” boost for your birds. The need for protein and calcium increases substantially for birds as they prepare for nesting and during periods of egg-laying. Obtaining a sufficient amount of these nutrients determines the number of eggs a bird is able to produce and impacts the health of young birds. Wild Birds Unlimited’s Nesting SuperBlend™ is a great bird food to help you provide the essential protein and calcium needed by nesting families.

It  is important that nesting boxes are made from high quality materials that will help insulate the youngsters from extreme cold or heat. Proper drainage and ventilation are a must and the box has to be easy to clean in preparation for the next tenant. Nesting boxes should also be specifically designed for the type of bird that is likely to make your yard its home and they should be placed in a location that is safe and enticing. 

Bird species that are known to use nest boxes in our area include the following habitat groups:

• Habitat A - GTA backyards: Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Downy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, European Starling.
• Habitat B - greenbelt settings: White-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, American Kestral, Great-crested Flycatcher
• Habitat C - Rural settings with fields/forests: Eastern Bluebird

In general the habitat A birds can be found in all three habitats, the habitat B birds in B or C but unlikely in A and habitat C birds only in C. This helps us understand to help Save the Songbirds rural protected greenbelt space is very important. This is just a list of cavity (box) nesting birds, many other species rely on the natural trees, shrubs and grassland for nesting.

WBU has a complete line a high quality nest boxes to help get you started, including our environmentally-friendly EcoTough boxes that are made from recycled milk jugs. Using recycled materials is just one of the ways that WBU supports the 7 Simple Actions that scientist say we can all do to help birds.

WBU Toronto is the only store where you can purchase the exclusive Chickadee Nest Tube. The Chickadee Nest Tube is our most scucessful man made nesting product. For more details The Chickadee Nest Tube.

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