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Blue tit behaviour.

Robbie Troy
27/03/2018 03:44
Hi guys, I have a couple of questions regarding a pair of blue tits and their observed behaviour. I put up an RSPB Apex classic 32mm blue tit nest box around January. This pair found it straight away, but the problem is as follows! 1. Since finding the box, I have only every seen them looking in once, not entering the box. They seem very nervous and constantly hop around the tree beside it wiping their beaks, but always looking and staying near the box. We are now in March and in the mornings / evenings they still visit, but never enter the box. Would there be any reasons why not or if they are not interested why do they come back?! The box in a usual spot, facing North, on side of shed, 6-7 feet up, with no disturbance, clear entrance with a few trees nearby. Could be first time breeding?! 2. The male was roosting in my neighbors wall off their house, large hole under the eave. Now it’s March, the female is now entering this in the evening and the male flies off somewhere else. Does this mean the female has chosen this site instead?! The hole is huge and does not look suitable- a Magpie or Crow could enter easily! I have not witnessed any nest material go up yet. 3. The pair go missing all day. Are they off to their feeding site? They always go off together! Always back in the evenings eyeing up the box. I don’t have any bird food out, so must be coming every day for nesting or roosting purposes close by. 4. Do they have most activity in the early morning around nesting sites before nest building starts? Maybe I am missing the action in the morning?! The male was up in the tree this evening belting out his song, as if claiming the territory, first time I noticed him doing this, but today was a proper warm Spring day. I have never really witnessed Blue tits do this like a Dunnock or Robin before! Any help on these questions is most welcome! Off course I am still as happy if they use the hole in the wall beside me!! On a lighter off topic note, I have had a Robin nest box up for three years never used on a fence hidden behind shrubs, only a few feet up. I have 5 eggs inside this year today and a happy sitting female Robin. Delighted!
  • 0 27/03/2018 17:59

    Hello Robbie

    I wonder if the blue tits might be a little nervous about using the box as 32mm is a little too big for them. We recommend providing a 25mm hole when trying to attract blue tits.

    It shouldn't be too hard to fix this for next year as you can buy metal plates that can be attached to the front of the nestbox: shopping.rspb.org.uk/nestbox-plate-25mm.html

    Studies show a female blue tit will often roost in the nest location but if you haven't seen any material being taken into the cavity on the building then it'd be surprising if that was the nest site.

    Adult blue tits usually roost singularly so what you describe sounds fairly normal. Studies also show the female will nearly always go to roost before the male.

    I can't find any reference to nest building taking place early in the morning and I'd expect that to be prime feeding time, the birds having gone through the night without feeding and needing to fill-up for the day ahead.

    Hope that helps.

    Kind regards,

    Simon

  • 0 27/03/2018 21:20

    Hi Simon,

    I have a 25mm plate from RSPB already and took it off as I convinced myself it was too small! I checked reviews of this product. Anyway I have re-attached to see how it goes and will leave the site in peace until after the breeding season. I guess the tighter the hole size the better for these blue tits. The other reason I removed it was incase a pair of Great tits got interested. I currently have a pair nesting in my other 32mm non plated box in work! I know the plate will restrict species, but I am aiming to have Blue tits nesting at my home anyway.

    Off course, this box is only new this year, so I know they might need to get used to it hung up anyway. Maybe next year!! I am spoiled having a Robin and Great tit nest anyway I guess.!!

  • 0 29/03/2018 17:48 in reply to Robbie Troy

    I agree with Simon's post. As you have only put the box up this year, it may well have gone up too late to tempt existing blue tits to relocate. Assuming it is located in a good position, there's every chance of it being used next year.

  • 0 06/04/2025 22:15 in reply to RobC-2058883999

    I Have a bird box in which a ringed Blue Tits has used every night through the last 6 winters rousting at night, this year I seem to another Blue Tit bringing in nesting materials, tonight I have one Blue Tit again roosting in the box will there be a box war.. or is this normal Shrug‍♂️