Why do Tree Swallows use nest boxes?
  • Cavity-nesting birds like Tree Swallows, that can't make their own cavities,
    usually face a shortage of nest sites.  
  • Competition for cavities can be intense, even a matter of life and death, since
    failing to reproduce is a critical failure for short-lived songbirds.  
  • Tree Swallows must compete for nest sites with other Tree Swallows and also
    with other cavity-nesters like bluebirds, wrens, starlings and house sparrows.


















  • Since natural cavities are scarce Tree Swallows quickly accept nest boxes, and
    unlike many other cavity nesting species they aren't picky!  They'll use just
    about any box they can get into.  
  • Tree Swallow nests have been found in large houses for Purple Martins, Wood
    Ducks and Screech Owls, and in such unlikely spots as drain pipes, mailboxes
    and newspaper tubes (see the photo below by Laura Niang in Maryland).
  • Sadly, they'll also try to nest in unsuitable tiny or flimsy boxes where few if any
    young survive.















Be sure to build boxes designed specifically for Tree Swallows.
  • You'll want boxes built carefully of good materials, where your swallows will be
    safe from predators and protected from rain and heat, ones roomy enough so
    parent swallows can raise strong, healthy young.

    WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING TWO TREE SWALLOW DESIGNS:

  • Click this link the plan for the GOLONDRINAS BOX.  This box (see below) is easy
    to make and is used by scientists of the Golondrinas de las Americas (Swallows
    of the Americas) project coordinated by Cornell University.  
  • The Golondrinas project is a unique hemisphere-wide effort conducting
    research into the comparative biology, ecology, and behavior of Tree Swallows
    and the eight other species in genus Tachycineta.  
  • Thousands of Golondrinas Boxes are in use at the 50 or so research sites
    throughout North and South America (see map).  
  • If you decide to make Golondrinas boxes we have two suggestions.  Make the
    top wider and longer for increased protection against bad weather and
    predators, and be ready to block the ventilation openings on the upper sides
    during cold windy and rainy spells (see below).


















  • Click these links for the LONG POINT BOX: INCHES or CENTIMETERS.  This is
    the box pictured below and elsewhere on this web site.  
  • We saw this design at the Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Canada, liked
    it, and modified it a bit.  It differs somewhat from the Golondrinas Box and is
    harder to make, but we've used it at Salmon Creek since 2003 and are very
    satisfied.  
  • The above links take you to printable files containing introductions to the Long
    Point Box and its features, construction suggestions, and a detailed plan for
    cutting and assembling these boxes.



















No matter what design you use all Tree Swallow boxes should have:
  • Sturdy wood construction using 1" rough-cut boards or exterior-grade plywood
    at least 1/2" thick.
  • 1-3/8" to 1-1/2" entrance holes to keep larger birds out.
  • Entrance holes centered about 7" above floors.
  • Floors never smaller than 5" x 5".
  • Roofs that slope down and overlap sides and fronts, reducing exposure to rain
    and making it harder for predators to reach inside.
  • Sides that swing open for easy checking of box contents and cleaning.
  • Floors recessed to minimize interior wetness.
  • Unpainted interiors.
  • Roughened, kerfed, or cleated front interiors to provide nestling footholds.
  • No outside perches at the entrance holes that could aid predators.  

WARNING!  DON'T MAKE OR BUY BOXES THAT ARE TOO SMALL!  









  • Many published box plans and boxes sold in stores are intended for bluebirds,
    which although larger than swallows average fewer nestlings per brood.  
  • Recently some bluebird hobbyists have advocated using very small boxes in a
    well-intended but futile attempt to prevent box use by House Sparrows.  
  • DON'T use these boxes for Tree Swallows!  They often have interior
    dimensions that are far too small for swallow broods of up to seven young.  
  • You may meet people who say the small bluebird boxes are just fine for Tree
    Swallows.  They are NOT ok!  While it is true Tree Swallows will eagerly accept
    small boxes, their nestlings may not thrive or fledge successfully.  
  • Boxes with small internal volumes put nestlings at risk of death from
    overheating during hot spells because the nestlings can't spread out to cool.  
  • Smaller nestlings may get trampled by larger siblings, have their feathers soiled
    with feces, and be unable to reach food brought by parents.  
  • Swallow nestlings also require space to exercise their wings so they can fly
    strongly when they fledge, and it's possible lack of space may even interfere
    with proper bone and feather development.  
  • Imagine six or seven swallow nestlings trying to survive in the tiny bluebird
    tube below!  (Photo from Craig A. Mullenbach of Mully410*Images*).  
















  • Nest boxes with small interiors can also be detrimental to adult swallows.  
  • Note the badly damaged flight feathers of the swallow below that nested in a
    small bluebird box.  (Photo used with permission of Charles G. Summers, Jr.).



















  • To avoid potential problems be certain your floors are at least 5" x 5".  
  • Narrow, cramped designs like the Peterson, Gilbertson, Gilwood, and Troyer
    Bluebird Boxes are totally unacceptable in a Tree Swallow project, and in our
    opinion the North American Bluebird Society and any of its member clubs and
    individuals that continue to promote the use of boxes with small interiors
    show a blatant disregard for the lives of other native songbirds.  
  • The same dimensions and standards apply if you purchase kits or ready-made
    birdhouses.  If you plan to buy from a store, bring a ruler along.  Many of the
    boxes you'll find will be too small for Tree Swallows (no matter what the clerk
    says).  If they don't measure up (literally), don't buy!
  • Compare the four nest box floors below.  Which provide enough space for the
    typical brood of six tree swallow nestlings shown?  They are 12 days old and
    must stay and develop inside their box for another six to ten days before they
    can fledge safely.  How many would you think could survive in the two lower
    bluebird-type boxes?























But why would Tree Swallows ever attempt to nest in such cramped boxes?
  • We really don't know why.  They certainly don't seem to use "selective
    judgement" in their choices.  
  • Perhaps the shortage of natural cavities drives the tendency of Tree Swallows
    to accept anything they can claim.  But since we know they will use them, we
    should never put out miserable little death traps like many bluebird designs!      
  • And what about bluebirds?  They're even larger than Tree Swallows!  How could
    boxes with tiny interiors possibly be better for bluebirds?  If this question
    interests you, click here to read Linda Violett's treatment of the subject.  
  • The fact is that the larger-interior box designs we recommend for Tree
    Swallows are also very acceptable for bluebirds, and for many years 5" x  5"
    interiors were standard for bluebird boxes.  (However, if you use the
    Golondrinas or Long Point box and live in Mountain Bluebird range, make your
    entrance holes 1-9/16" to allow them to enter).

Don't be afraid to improvise.
  • Since Tree Swallows are so very accepting in their choice of box designs you
    can be creative, just as long as you follow the minimum size guidelines
    presented above.  
  • For example note the clever box below, designed and made by Irena of Ottawa,
    Canada.  It features feeding holes that can be opened to prevent one large
    nestling from monopolizing the food supply, a flip-up roof overlap, and a hinged
    side door.  It is waterproofed on all outer surfaces except the front with
    candle wax, first rubbed on and then melted in with a heat gun.  If you would
    like to try her design, click here: IRENA'S SWALLOW BOX.












Consider installing a Nest Camera inside a box.
  • Tree Swallows are so easy to watch we sometimes forget many vital behaviors
    and actions occur inside their nesting cavities.  But the advent of tiny remote-
    control cameras presents you the opportunity to view even those.  
  • We have never used nestcams ourselves, but we know persons who have
    enjoyed them tremendously, who've spent many fascinating hours observing
    live video on their TV's or computers as their swallows built nests, incubated
    eggs and raised young.
  • To get a sense of what can be seen using nestcams click here for the Cornell
    Lab of Ornithology's NestCam site.  Be sure to visit Explore Archives.
  • To learn about nestcam hardware and installation click here for the bluebird
    hobbyist web site Sialis' excellent page on the subject.
  • Be aware you may have to tweak your box design to accommodate a nestcam.

How many boxes should you build?
  • The best number depends on your habitat's quality, the size of your field, and
    your energy and budget.  
  • 4 to 8 boxes is good for starters.  That's enough so you can see how individual
    swallows vary in behavior and nesting, but not so many that record keeping
    and box maintenance is a chore.  
  • But if you want to start with just one that's perfectly ok.  Just start.  If you
    enjoy your swallows (and we know you will) you can always expand next year.  
    Picture below from Jennifer Stanley in Kentucky.


















Click here for Next Step: Box Location.







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Building Boxes
Learn About Birds at Tree Swallow Nest Box Projects
NO!
Bluebird box
interiors too small!
NO!