Specifications for Chickadee Nest Boxes

The chickadee is a common backyard bird through much of North America. You will frequently see this little bird accepting food that was put into a garden feeder. Chickadees are widespread in both country and built-up areas, where scattered trees are still to be found. The chickadee prefers to nest in natural cavities, but can be encouraged to use a nest box, if a number of criteria are met. Prime among these, is having the correct tree type for the box.

  1. Materials

    • Chickadees are tiny birds that require a small nest, in which to feel secure. A length of 3-inch diameter, thinned walled PVC tubing is ideal for this purpose. Plastic caps placed on both ends, will seal the top and bottom of the tube. An entrance hole of 1.2-inch diameter, will allow the chickadees ample room in which to enter and exit the nest, but will discourage larger birds from showing interest in it. The outside of the PVC tube, particularly around the entrance hole, can be scuffed with course sandpaper, as can the inside area, below the entrance.

    Best Sites

    • Designing the ideal chickadee nest box is in itself not sufficient. These little birds are particular as to the species of tree they choose to nest in and may even prefer the nest box to be oriented in a specific way. According to Dan Mennill, associate professor in the University of Windsor's Department of Biological Sciences, chickadees in a study at Queen's University Biological Station preferred nest boxes that were mounted in birch trees, but accepted nest boxes in beech and hop hornbeam trees as well. Studies are being conducted to determine whether the chickadee chooses a nest box on the strength of wind direction or the position of the sun. Mennill recommends that nest boxes for chickadees, be positioned just high enough, so that a person of average height can just reach into the entrance hole. Wood shavings should be packed into the nest box to mimic birch snag. It is also important to mount the chickadee nest box as long as possible before the bird's breeding season, which begins from late April to early May. Nest box acceptance is probably enhanced if the chickadee has had a period of time in which to investigate the box.

    Predator Guarding

    • As chickadees do not readily accept nest boxes, it is important to ensure that all of their criteria are met. Keeping predators away from the nest box, will encourage the chickadee to investigate the box thoroughly enough to hopefully accept it. Attaching an inverted metal cone below the nest, will prevent snakes and small mammals, such as rodents from climbing up to the nest box.