The Official Home of National Nestbox Week
Making more homes for Britain’s birds since 1997
Meet a garden regular: Blue Tit
This article comes from the BTO’s Nestboxes: Your Complete Guide. Learn more.
© British Trust for Ornithology. Used with permission.
The quirky and the interesting...
21 Facts about Blue Tits >
Prefers nestboxes with small entrance holes.
Birds may be reluctant to approach a box if people are standing right next to it. If you know that the birds are feeding chicks, particularly if these are about a week old when the feeding rate is at its highest, try to avoid spending long periods of time standing near the box. Short visits made to the nest to monitor breeding attempts do not impact on breeding success.
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
Blue tits occupy many varied nest sites. Apart from nestboxes,
they will use holes in pipes, lamp standards (street lights) and post boxes.
Gardens in most parts of the UK will be visited daily by Blue Tits looking for food. In spring Blue Tits will also be looking for potential nest site cavities in trees or old walls but they will readily take to garden nestboxes, too.
A nest with a view
Do not hide the box behind garden plants; Blue Tits like to be able to scan for predators when leaving a box, so like an unobstructed view. Avoid obvious sun-traps, such as south-facing walls, to stop chicks overheating. Cold winds and damp conditions can also cause problems for chicks, so avoid putting boxes in the shady wind tunnels between houses.
Frustrate domestic cats, which can cause havoc to nesting birds, by placing your nestbox away from any wall-tops or tree branches that would make access easier. Remove any perches from your nestbox to ensure predators cannot get an easy foothold.
Choose a quiet spot
Parent Blue Tits typically provide nestlings with up to 1,000 food items each day, ideally caterpillars but other insects and spiders may also feature.
