Cavity nesting birds may use a birdhouse for winter shelter, but some birds hide out from the freezing cold in other ways.
Just because nesting season is over doesn’t mean you have to put your birdhouses away. Instead, leave them up because they make great roosting boxes. You should still clean out your birdhouses, though. Fall is the best time to do so. Read on to learn more about how birds use birdhouses in winter.
Which Birds Use Birdhouses for Winter Shelter?
“Do chickadees and goldfinches use nesting houses for shelter during harsh winters?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Mike Chapman of Chisago City, Minnesota.
Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “There is a link between the kinds of places where birds build nests in summer and the spots they choose for shelter in winter. Birds that nest in tree cavities or birdhouses, such as chickadees, wrens or bluebirds, seek out similar places to sleep at night, especially in cold winter weather. Birds that build nests on open tree branches, such as goldfinches, generally don’t go inside birdhouses or other enclosed spots for shelter. On cold winter nights, flocks of goldfinches often sleep sitting close together within the sheltering branches of evergreen trees.”
Clean Next Boxes Before Winter Roosting
“I have male bluebirds that are taking dried grasses into birdhouses. Are they confused and trying to build a nest in fall, or are they preparing for winter roosting? Should I clean out the boxes or leave them alone?” asks reader Judith Caldwell of New Windsor, Maryland.
Kenn and Kimberly say, “What you’re seeing is likely bonding or courtship behavior rather than actual nest building. Males bring nest material to the box as part of the pair-bonding process, sometimes in fall as well as in spring. It’s a good idea to clean out nest boxes before winter, as bluebirds may use the boxes for roosting sites, often with several birds cramming into the same box overnight for warmth. We’ve seen as many as eight eastern bluebirds exiting one box on a winter morning! But please wait until the birds have stopped bringing materials to the nest boxes before cleaning them out.”
“I offer shelter for birds wintering in my backyard by leaving up roosting boxes and nesting ledges at all times of the year,” says reader Gloria Meredith of Harrington, Delaware.
Add a Brush Pile and Evergreens for Birds
Some birds take cover in birdhouses during cold weather and storms, but they also hide out in brush piles. Gather your yard waste, including branches and twigs of all sizes, into a large pile, ideally in a spot that is protected from strong winds.
After the leaves have dropped from most trees and shrubs, it’s more difficult for birds to find a safe habitat. You can also create a winter comfort zone by growing evergreen trees, bushes, vines and ground cover plants.
About the Experts
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.
