Provide Roosts To Shelter Wild Birds On Your Wildlife Porch or Deck at The Wildlife Porch

September 3rd, 2009

Provide Roosts To Shelter Wild Birds On Your Wildlife Porch or Deck

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Want to shelter wild birds from cold winter winds?

Man-made roosts are special boxes, wicker baskets, or other shelters used by wild birds seeking protection from elements and predators.

The Basics

With roosts, you may want to consider

The different types
The characteristics of the best roosts
Care and placement of your roosts
Building vs. buying a roost
Whether to keep roosts available only for winter months

Types

Convertible Bird House and Roost

Roost houses look like large nest boxes, some with multiple entrances. In severe weather several birds may huddle together for warmth.

Roost pockets are smaller and often come in wicker-basket styles.

Characteristics

A good roosting box will have several of the following characteristics:

Keeps warmth well; for example, no ventilation holes or entry hole placed to discourage drafts
Has perches staggered at different levels or roughened, scored sides or hardware mesh sides (woodpeckers, etc, will cling to sides)
Designed to minimize the chance of water inside the box

Thatched Round Roost

Winter Only?

Some believe that roost boxes or pockets can be dangerous in the summertime. Others want to prevent birds from nesting in the roosts. In either case, you can take down or block the entrances to roosts during non-winter months.

I first published this article, now updated, back on November 21st, 2007.

Tags: roosts

3 comments

Comment from: Shae Deschenes [Visitor]

My husband followed directions from the net to build a sturdy roost box for the sparrows and finch that stay over winter in Alberta. I keep finding frozen little birds all over the yard, about 1 a week. The roost boxes are in the corner of a solid fence with entrance at bottom and right near one of the bird feeders. None of the birds seem to be using either one. Should we be putting seed or straw or something in them to attract the little fellows. I feel sorry for them as its been so cold but don't know what else we can do. Thanks...shae

02/15/10 @ 10:15

Comment from: Cindy Rae [Member]

Shae,

You can confirm if the following tips work by looking in the roost for evidence the birds are using it -- downy feathers, fecal matter, and seed residue.

1. Try moving the location of your roost

The birds may be scared of predators in its current location. Try one of the following:

* Move the roost to the sunny, south side of a large tree (subject to the presence of climbing predators) or house at around 12 feet off the ground
* Mount the roost to a pole protected with a baffle
* Add a predator guard to the entrance hole

2. Add a layer of soft grass or wood chips to the bottom of the box

3. Seal up any holes or leaks on the outside with duct tapes or rolled caulking -- unless you're worried about drainage inside the box

4. Double-check your design:

* Is the entrance hole near the bottom?
* Are there perches for smaller birds installed inside?
* Is the entrance hole's diameter around 1-1/4 inches?

Hope this helps!