Safe Nesting Materials For Birds

It’s finally spring! The sun is coming up a little earlier each day, and with that comes cheerful chirping of our local bird friends. As a long time NestWatch volunteer with Birds Canada, the beginning of nesting seasons fills with me with so much joy. Unfortunately, it also leads to well-meaning folks sharing ‘fun’ (but very harmful) ways to leave out nesting materials for birds.

Providing nesting materials is done with the best of intentions but can have serious unintended consequences. Here are some general tips for providing safe nesting materials for birds this spring:

Safe Nesting Materials for Birds

The easiest way to make nesting materials available is to avoid cleaning up your yard for spring as long as possible, with the added bonus of providing habitat for the larvae of pollinators. If you do wish to intentionally provide nesting materials to attract birds to your yard, the following are good choices:

You can leave these natural materials in simple piles, in suet cages or small baskets hung from a branch, or loosely pushed into tree holes.

Unsafe Nesting Materials for Birds – Do NOT Leave Out

Please do not leave bits of yarn, fabric, pet fur or human hair out for birds as nesting materials. Pet fur/hairs should not be purposely provided, especially if they’ve been chemically treated in anyway. Even natural fibres undergo processing (spinning, weaving, etc.) to enhance their tensile strength and durability. Hatchlings can easily become entwined in string and hair – think of it like wrapping a hair around your finger. Coloured fibres can make nests easier for predators to spot. Fibres, especially dryer lint filled with microplastics, can become wet and waterlogged, leading to mold growth or causing death if ingested.

The true heart of the matter is that birds do not need our help making nests – they need us to protect their habitats. Get in touch with local organizations to find out what is threatening birds in your area and find a way you can help. You can support local wildlife and naturalization by learning about local species, planting native plants, leaving your yard a bit unkempt for materials, picking up litter, keeping your cat indoors, and joining local groups and political committees.

Grab the printable version of this post to share with your friends, family, and community networks!

Want more tips on how to get started birdwatching and how to help your local feathered friends? In this episode of the Sustainable in the Suburbs podcast we’re talking about how to start birding in your own backyard, how to identify common birds by sight and sound, what’s happening during nesting season, and how to support birds in ways that genuinely help.

Sources:

• David Suzuki Foundation – How to Offer Birds Nesting Material
• Audubon Society – What Nesting Materials Are Safe for Birds?
• Cornell Labs – Providing Nest Material For Birds: Dos & Don’ts