Where do I put my birdbox and what size should it be?

You've bought your birdbox – exciting! Now comes the fun part: putting it in the right spot so your feathered visitors feel safe enough to call it home. Whether you’re hoping for sparrows, bluetits, or even robins, a little placement wisdom goes a long way.

How High Should I Hang My Bird Box?

For most small garden birds, the ideal height is around 2 to 4 meters off the ground. Choose a north- or east-facing wall to avoid harsh sunlight and limit exposure to wind and rain. A slightly sheltered area – perhaps under the eaves or among tree branches – is perfect.

What Size Entrance Hole Do Birds Prefer?

Not all birds like the same type of accommodation. Here’s a quick guide for hole sizes:

• 32mm hole – perfect for house sparrows, great tits, or pied flycatchers.

• 25mm hole – ideal for bluetits, coaltits, and similar small birds.

What About Robins and Wrens?

These charming little birds prefer a different setup altogether. They like an open-front birdbox, where the height of the front panel makes all the difference:

• Wrens: around 140mm panel height.

• Robins: closer to 100mm front panel height.

These types of boxes should be placed lower than 2 meters, nestled into dense, undisturbed vegetation – think hedgerows or thick shrubs.

A Few Nesting Tips

• Avoid brightly coloured boxes – predators can spot them too easily. Natural wood or muted greens and browns work best.

• Keep the inside textured – chicks need a little grip when they’re getting ready to fledge. Completely smooth interiors can make that tricky.

• Not too deep, not too shallow – very deep boxes are hard for chicks to leave, and very shallow ones carry the risk of accidental tumbles.

What Works Best?

In my opinion, a medium-sized birdbox in a natural colour, with just enough imperfection to feel “real,” is exactly what your garden birds are after. Forget polished finishes – nature prefers rustic charm.

Check out our birdboxes in our ONLINE SHOP

Image: Erin Wallace