It’s such an exhilarating sight during the spring season:
American robins
jumping about in vividly green grass,
searching intently for worms
and materials for nest building. Given the
the joy these crimson-chested birds impart
It’s not surprising that bird enthusiasts aim to entice them to stay and breed. However, do robins utilize birdhouses? Does such a thing as a robin-specific birdhouse actually exist? Here’s what you need to understand.
Will Robins Use Birdhouses?
If you’ve put up
bluebird houses
,
chickadee nest boxes
Or when adding decorative birdhouses to your yard, do not anticipate attracting a robin. These birds differ from others as they do not consider such structures suitable for nesting.
cavity nesters
This means they do not construct nests inside pre-existing tree cavities. Therefore, a birdhouse—which replicates this “tree-hole” habitat—does not attract them.
Birds & Blooms
Readers have mentioned spotting robins building nests on window sills, ledges, and even inside woven baskets. Take a look at proven
advice for luring nesting birds
.
We sought advice from the professionals—will a
hummingbird use a birdhouse
?
Robin Birdhouse Alternative
Even though robins won’t utilize a
traditional bird house
And a Robin birdhouse shouldn’t be something you purchase; however, there are several birdhouse-style items accessible for these birds.
Robins usually construct their nests
On flat surfaces, and nested shelving units recreate that environment.
Storing items on nesting shelves is quite similar to
bird houses
With the front panel taken off, you’ll notice a significant space allowing birds to enter the structure just as they would if nesting on a flat surface outdoors. A lot of these designs include an extended cover similar to a roof, which protrudes over the ledge, ensuring that the birds stay dry during rain showers. This feature mimics how leaves protect them in their natural tree habitats.
Psst—
Do robins migrate
And head south during winters? Here’s what you should do:
draw robins into your garden
year-round.
Create or Purchase a Robin Nesting Shelf
If you’re planning to buy a nesting shelf, multiple choices can be found online.
You can also create your own DIY nesting shelf. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project NestWatch offers
plans available
To create a wooden shelf. Barn swallows and Eastern phoebes might utilize these shelves as nests.
If you’re aiming for a more hands-on method, here’s what you can do:
create a nested shelf using a bucket
.
Next, explore the distinctions between
American and European robins
.
