With a nesting box you provide birds with a comfortable home, which unfortunately is becoming increasingly rare due to increasing civilization. The animals will thank you with happy singing and colorful hustle and bustle. So why not hang up several breeding sites at once? However, you should note that birds also prefer a certain distance from their neighbors. You can read how far the distance should be to a neighboring bird feeder on this page.
What distance should nest boxes be from each other?
The recommended distance between nest boxes is at least 10 meters to avoid competition and disruption during the breeding season. For different types of birds, a distance of around 3 meters is recommended. However, starlings and sparrows prefer closer spacing.
The right distance
The Nature Conservation Association recommends a distance of at least ten meters so that the birds feel comfortable. The necessity is based on the breeding behavior of the animals. Especially during the breeding season, numerous species claim their own territory in which they do not tolerate any intruders. The appropriate distance prevents competition. It's different with nesting boxes for different bird species. The animals do not see each other as rivals, but still require their own “privacy space” of around three meters.
Exceptional cases
Only sparrows and starlings, which feel comfortable in company.
Different heights
Several nesting boxes in the garden increase the species richness of visitors. But every bird species has different demands on the home provided. That's why you should not only take the horizontal distance into account, but also install the birdhouses at different heights.
Note: In general, you should allow a height of 1.5-2 meters to give cats no chance of reaching the entrance hole. The entry hole should also never be exactly at eye level so that the birds do not feel like they are being watched.
Number of nesting boxes
Many nesting boxes in the garden look beautiful, but sometimes do not fulfill the desired purpose. If the conditions are not met, the home is often not occupied. The quantity of birdhouses depends on
- the space capacities
- the biodiversity of your region
- the surrounding range of breeding sites
- the available food supply
