Robins are beloved backyard birds that bring color and song to gardens and yards across North America. With some careful planning and strategic placement, you can attract robins to nest in your yard by providing them with a suitable birdhouse. When deciding where to place a robin’s nesting box, there are several factors to consider for optimal success.
Choosing a Birdhouse for Robins
Robins have some specific requirements when it comes to their nesting sites. Here are some tips for selecting or building the right birdhouse for robins:
– Size – The interior floor space should be at least 6×6 inches, with an entrance hole 2-2.5 inches in diameter. The height should be 8-12 inches tall.
– Materials – Use untreated, unpainted wood at least 1 inch thick so it provides insulation. Avoid metal surfaces, which can get too hot.
– Ventilation – Robin nests need air flow, so make sure there are openings for ventilation under the roof.
– Drainage – Small holes in the floor will allow moisture to drain out.
– Access – The house should have a front or side opening. Make sure the entry hole has a landing zone or rough wood below it for easy access.
– Protection – To keep predators away, add predator guards around entrance holes or place houses out of reach (more on placement below).
Where to Place a Robin Birdhouse
When determining where to mount your robin birdhouse, consider the following factors:
Location
– Place the house on the edge of an open lawn, field, or meadow. Robins prefer to have some space cleared around their nest site so they can detect predators easily.
– Face the entrance toward an open area, not directly at trees, fences or buildings.
– Robins are territorial, so only place one pair of nesting birds per acre. Space multiple houses at least 100 yards apart.
Tree Placement
– Robins will accept houses mounted on tree trunks or branches.
– Choose a mature, healthy tree that provides shelter. Fruit trees like crabapple or hawthorn are favorites.
– Mount the house on the north or east side of the tree at eye level, between 5-15 feet high. This prevents overheating but deters predators.
Fence or Pole Placement
– Houses can be mounted to wooden fence posts or poles.
– Set the pole in a quiet, secluded area away from high traffic.
– Position the house 5-10 feet off the ground with a predator guard below it.
Shelter
– Robins appreciate having vegetation, brush piles, or shrubs nearby to provide protection. Avoid open, exposed sites.
– If mounting on a tree or pole, make sure some branches or leaves offer cover overhead.
– Place the house out of the prevailing wind and rain if possible.
When to Put Up a Robin Birdhouse
The timing of when you install a robin birdhouse is important:
– Late winter is ideal, so it’s in place for spring when robins return and begin seeking nest sites.
– Erect the house 4-6 weeks before nesting season starts in your region.
– In most areas, aim for late February through March. Avoid waiting until April when territories are already established.
Tips for Attracting Nesting Robins
Follow these tips to entice robins to take up residence in your birdhouse:
– Keep the house clean and dry before each nesting season. Remove old nests and sanitize.
– Ensure nearby trees and shrubs are mature and established. Robins prefer nesting amidst mature gardens and woodlots.
– Provide mud puddles so robins can collect mud for their nests. Create a mud source by dripping water into soil.
– Offer suet feeders with mealworms to attract robins and provide calcium and protein for breeding birds.
– Eliminate predators like raccoons, snakes, and outdoor cats which may deter robins or raid nests.
– Limit activity and noise around the birdhouse during nesting season so parents aren’t disturbed.
Benefits of Attracting Nesting Robins
Encouraging robins to raise their young in your yard has many advantages beyond enjoying their beauty and songs. Here are some of the top benefits:
Natural Insect Control
– Robins are voracious consumers of insects and pests. A nesting pair and their babies can eat up to 14,000 caterpillars and bugs per season.
– They feast on mosquitoes, grubs, beetles, caterpillars, and other lawn and garden destroyers.
– Fewer chemicals or pesticides are needed with robins patrolling for insects.
Fruit Tree Pollination
– Robin activity near fruit trees helps pollinate blossoms, increasing fruit production.
– As robins hop along branches feeding on insects, they transfer pollen between flowers.
– More pollination leads to better fruit yields on trees like apples, pears, and cherries.
Natural Fertilizer
– Robin droppings under nesting sites help fertilize soil with nitrogen.
– This provides free, natural enrichment for lawns and garden beds below birdhouses.
– Grass and plants flourish without the need for as much synthetic fertilizer.
Seed Dispersal
– Robins eat berries from shrubs and trees, then disperse the seeds across your landscape through droppings.
– This allows diverse plants to propagate and provides food for more wildlife.
– Fruiting shrubs that benefit are dogwoods, hollies, junipers, wild grapes, and sumacs.
Joy of Backyard Birdwatching
– The sight and sounds of robins raising their young is rewarding for any nature lover.
– Observing baby birds leaving the nest and learning to fly is a special experience.
– Robin activity will also attract songbirds to your feeders as they gain comfort around your yard.
Common Problems to Avoid
While a well-placed robin birdhouse has excellent potential to attract a breeding pair, there are some common issues to be aware of:
Improper Location
– Mounting the house in the wrong spot, like low to the ground or in open areas, invites predators and deters robins.
– Excess shade from trees can make the interior too dark and damp.
– Houses placed too far apart may lead to fights between territorial males.
Extreme Weather Exposure
– Positioning the box without any shade or cover risks overheating it in summer or chilling it in early spring.
– Heavy rains or winds can drench or displace fragile nests if the house lacks weather protection.
– Wrap or insulate houses to control interior temperature swings.
Insufficient Ventilation
– Houses that lack proper air flow and drainage holes develop excess moisture.
– This encourages mold growth which can threaten hatchling health and survival.
– Ensure the house design allows air movement and has a drainage port.
Overcrowding
– Too many cavities or compartments can result in robins fighting over space.
– Excess interior volume also dilutes needed warmth from the parents’ bodies.
– Stick with a single 6×6 inch interior floor space per house.
Conclusion
Attracting nesting robins to your yard with properly constructed and placed birdhouses provides natural benefits beyond the joy of wildlife observation. Their voracious insect appetite offers free pest control, while their droppings feed plants and disperse seeds. Avoid common issues like improper exposure, ventilation problems, overcrowding, and bad locations to increase your success rate. With some thoughtful placement using the tips above, you can entice breeding robins to take up residence and brighten your backyard ecosystem with activity and song each spring.
| Location | Height | Direction to Face |
|---|---|---|
| Tree trunk | 5-15 feet up | East or southeast |
| Wood fence post | 5-10 feet up | East or southeast |
| Stand-alone pole | 5-10 feet up | East or southeast |
