A nest box, birdhouse, is a very useful and functional part of garden furniture. A box like the one offered here provides much needed shelter during hatching and feeding periods. Birdhouses also offer shelter from harsh weather and predators. It is a substitute of tree hollow. We hereby present a nest box model intended for one of the most common European plants - the starling. It is also suitable for hoopoes, nuthatches, redstarts and great tits.

A B-type nest box, birdhouse is made of solid, 2-cm thick wood planks. This is important, because starlings are strong and bustling creatures and therefore need a solid house. Dimensions of this next box were adjusted to this species in order to provide starlings with comfortable and safe haven. The diameter of the entry hole prevents larger birds, such as jackdaws, from taking over the birdhouse. The presented nest box is equipped with a large, sloping roof. Thanks to that feature heavy rain will not fall inside. This model has a long slat for stable, secure mounting on a tree. The front pane can be opened after unlatching a metal hook. The next box offered here is made of charred wood that gives it a natural look and offers camouflage between tree branches.

A starling nest box should be hanged on an older tree, 3-7 m high, so the predators would not be able to reach it. Mount birdhouses away from branches and other objects that could enable the enemy to get inside the box. Starling birdhouses can be hanged closer to each other than boxes for other species. This distance should, however, be at least 3 m. You must not hang more than one box on the same tree. Clean the birdhouse thoroughly after the hatching period, in autumn or winter. Remove the old nest and swipe slits and corners clean. Gentle charring is allowed as form of disinfection.

Dimensions:

• Inner bottom dimensions: 13×13 cm
• Depth from entry hole to the bottom: 24 cm
• Width: 17 cm
• Length: 17 cm
• Nest box height: 40 cm
• Overall height (with mounting slat) 53 cm