Nestboxes

Australia boasts an amazing and diverse range of native fauna, including our brightly coloured
parrot species, our cheeky sugar gliders, our ever-present possums and our elusive micro-bats.
All these animals, and many more, have two things in common:
They all live in tree hollows
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They desperately need your help!
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Due to the removal of native trees across Australia for building, logging, agricultural or firewood
purposes, millions of natural tree hollows are lost every year. The devastation is particularly
apparent in urban environments, where the loss of established trees has seen a dramatic decline in
native fauna over the last fifty years due to a lack of appropriate habitat and nesting sites. Even if
you live in an area with quite large trees, hollows usually take over 100 years to develop. Thus it
may be many years before appropriate nesting / roosting sites are available for many species. It is
this lack of habitat that places significant stress on our native animal populations, and can result in
once common garden residents becoming rare or non-existent in our suburbs.
We can help!
It is possible for us to make a difference, right here in our own gardens!
Loss of habitat has had a massive impact on heaps of native animals. But, you can supplement and
improve the resources available in your area by building your own nest box, or purchasing one made
to specifications. This can provide a range of native birds and animals with shelter, and you with
hours of joy watching once elusive fauna frolic in your backyard!
There are a few things you need to consider when installing a nest box (or two) in your patch.
Firstly: Check out with your local council what native birds and animals can be found in your area.
Secondly: Plant locally appropriate native plants nearby. Speak to staff at your local nursery or
check out council resources regarding suitable plants for your area.
Thirdly: Provide water for any visitors, but NOT additional food sources. Our native friends love the
additional water, but can become sick and dependant on humans if we feed them. Oh, and put the
water source out of reach of any hungry domestic pets (especially cats!).
Lastly: Keep an eye on your cats and dogs; they can cause some real hassles for our native mates.
Keep cats in at night and fit them with a bell or two. Cats can actually learn to stalk birds and other
native animals without making their bell ring so fitting multiple bells to your cats collar is a handy
idea. Keep adding bells until they cant walk without sounding like Santa Claus barrelling down a
chimney.
Remember, wildlife nesting boxes come in loads of different sizes and shapes, many specific for one
or two species, so it is important to do a bit of research before sticking one in the nearest tree. Most
councils have comprehensive lists of locally native fauna that you can hope to attract back to your
yard.
Microbats
A number of species of these small, insectivorous bats can be found throughout Australia. Often
referred to as the gardeners friend, microbats keep pest insects under control in the home garden.
Bat nesting boxes are designed specifically for insectivorous bats, and are undesirable to other pest
species (eg: Mynas, Bees), due to the entry located at the bottom of the box. It is also a good idea to
affix some Hessian to the top of the inside of the box to enable the bats to cling to something while
sleeping. Microbat roosting boxes should be located as high up in the tree as possible, and facing
east to catch the morning sun.
Parrots
No habitat garden is complete without the squawk and chatter of some beautiful locally native
parrots, including the Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet (pictured here) and even the Yellow-Tailed
Black Cockatoo. Parrot species feed on the nectar from Eucalypts, and require hollows in which to
breed and roost. Unfortunately, parrot nesting boxes can also be attractive to some pest bird
species, such as Mynas, Starlings and even feral Honeybees. In order to discourage these pests, it is
advised by the Australian Bird Council that nest boxes be placed close together, to allow parrots to
compete with both Mynas and Starlings. It is also recommended that a baffle be installed over the
front of the nest box, allowing our clever parrots entry to the nest box while confusing pest species.
When situating the nest box, remember to provide as much protection from rain, wind and direct sun
as possible. It has been found that facing parrot boxes in a south-east position is suitable. Also,
remember that parrots will not provide their own nesting material, so placing suitable material in a
box prior to hanging is advised. Decayed wood, shredded bark or untreated wood shavings are
perfect for this purpose. Late winter to early spring is the best time to erect a parrot attracting box.
Brushtail Possums
Alright, so not everyone loves this familiar Australian native due to their voracious appetites, taste
for our exotic plants, and love of our rooves. But, the installation of a brushtail possum nest box my
actually help you rid your house of these noisy natives! Possums are territorial, so to remove them
from your roof you will need to block their access point. Do this in the evening AFTER they have left
for their nightly rambles! Have a nest box installed away from the house as an alternative den, and
once their access to the roof is blocked, they will take up residence there. Possum boxes should be
placed at least three meters from the ground, and mounted so that they are leaning slightly
forwards. This will assist their access into and out of the box, especially for young possums and will
also help with drainage. Brushtail possums feed at night, mainly on leaves and fruits, and nest
during the day.
Ringtail Possums
Ringtail possums, although not as familiar as Brushtail possums, are common and an important
element in locally native food webs. Ringtail possums will generally build their own nest (or drey)
from bark, leaves and grass, usually in dense undergrowth. They will occasionally utilise an
appropriate nest box. Ringtail possum nest boxes have a smaller entry hole than brushtails, but
should be mounted in the same fashion. Ringtail possums have developed a real taste for rose buds,
so, if this species is sighted in your garden, covering your precious roses or using a possum
deterrent may be necessary. Further information on protecting your property and ornamental plants
from possums can be found on our factsheet Living With Possums Without Going Nuts!
Sugar Gliders
Perhaps one of our most well loved indigenous marsupials, the sugar glider, is rapidly disappearing
from our urban areas due to habitat destruction. Sugar gliders are only found in areas where there
are hollows for nesting and are generally seen amid tall eucalypts with adjacent wattle species for
feeding and they really do need our help. By installing a nest box in an established Eucalypt on
your property, you could be assisting a group of five or more sugar gliders (these guys love to nest in
groups). And youll be doing your garden a favour too research has shown that Eucalypt trees that
have sugar gliders nesting in them are far healthier than those without gliders due to the amount of
insects consumed by these hungry little locals. Sugar glider nest boxes have very small openings,
which sugar gliders love and pest species hate!
Kookaburras
Perhaps the most iconic of all Australian birds, the Kookaburra is a welcome visitor in most
suburban backyards. Feeding mainly on insects, worms and crustaceans, Kookaburras utilise
hollows for breeding purposes, and the mounting of a nest box suitable for these cheerful natives
will give them a helping hand in your community. Kookaburra nest boxes are horizontal in design,
and need to have a small opening at the front through which young may excrete waste. Kookaburras
can make fascinating studies in the suburban garden, due to their methods of hunting, their shared
incubation duties, and the fact that they mate for life. Kookaburras will generally provide their own
nesting material, and boxes should be mounted as high as possible in a protected position.
General Information On Nest Boxes
Theres a pest in my box! What should I do?
The biggest concern faced by people erecting nest boxes is the occupation of these artificial hollows
by introduced or pest species. These species include Common Mynas, Blackbirds, European Wasps,
Honeybees and Sparrows. The occupation of hollows (both natural and artificial) by these pest
species is a significant concern for the well-being of our locally native species, and boxes should be
monitored routinely for signs of habitation by unwanted species. If a nest box is found to be occupied
by a pest of some description, it is best to deter further occupation by removing any eggs and
nesting material of the inhabitant, close off the nest box for a period of time, and assess the size of
the entrance hole to the box.
Certain species prefer particular entrance holes sizes, and the correct size can help prevent
unwanted visitors to the box (70mm prevents Brush-tailed Possums, 45mm prevents Common
Mynas, 35-40mm prevents Starlings, 28mm prevents House Sparrows and 26mm prevents Tree
Sparrows). The installation of a baffle at the front of the box (especially parrot boxes) is advised to
discourage entry by pest species. Regular inspection of the box (weekly after placement) is
recommended to avoid unwanted species moving in and displacing locally native wildlife. Honey
Bees can be removed from a box by the placement of pest strips inside the box. It is recommended
that this be performed at night time, while the bees are inactive. This will kill the bees, and they will
subsequently require removal.
To feed or not to feed that is the question!
Rightio, so this question gets asked time and time again, and there are conflicting schools of thought
regarding whether or not people should feed our indigenous fauna. The short answer is NO! Feeding
of native fauna is not advised for the following reasons:
Native fauna can become dependant on food provided by humans, causing them to forget how to
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hunt and source food for themselves. This can become a real issue when humans move house or go
away on holidays, as the reliable food source has disappeared. Many native birds and animals
used to this repeated feeding will perish in these situations.
Human food, and even products marketed as suitable for feeding to wildlife often contains
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dangerous additives, chemicals and preservatives that are harmful to native fauna, and can cause
sickness, adverse reactions and even death.
Repeated feeding of many animals can alter natural behaviours, causing normally passive birds
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and animals to become highly aggressive, towards each other and towards humans. This is evident
in many campgrounds and urban areas, where generally shy wildlife have become aggressive to
the point of threatening and injuring humans in their search for food.
Location of feeding areas within the nesting territory of many birds and animals disrupts their
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nesting activity, as nest guardians are busy defending their territory from other species
encouraged by the food source.
What about water?
Water is recommended, as long as it is out of reach of predators, such as domestic cats and dogs. An
available water source will almost guarantee the arrival of a number of bird species, particularly
parrots.
What sort of plants will encourage wildlife?
Generally, it is recommended that indigenous plants be chosen for the creation of habitat in your
garden. Indigenous (or locally native) plants are those which were, prior to European settlement,
common to the area. Locally native plant species are often also present in areas of remnant
vegetation that may exist in our communities. By selecting appropriate plant species, you are re-
establishing lost habitat, in turn making your community a more desirable place for locally native
birds, animals and insects to live. For information of plants indigenous to your area, contact your
local council or helpful nursery person for a list of plant species to suit every situation.
How long until someone moves in?
Dont be surprised if it takes some time for native fauna to occupy your nest box. With the exception
of Rosellas (who are inclined to move in straight away), most indigenous fauna species like to suss
out a hollow before setting up house, so dont be too upset if it takes a little while!
A locally native animal has moved in! What do I do now?
First and foremost congratulations. You are helping re-establish habitat for native species that
have been displaced by humans and introduced pest species! Now you have to keep them there, and
make sure their stay is as comfortable as possible. Avoid the temptation to open the box and look at
the inhabitants. This is extremely threatening to our native fauna, especially if they are nesting, and
may cause the bird or animal to leave the nest box. A great way to monitor behaviour is to view the
inhabitants from a respectful distance, and record their movements. This can be a fascinating
endeavour, and information gathered in this manner is often utilised by councils and community
groups.
How do I mount my new nest box?
Generally, the majority of species prefer a box with a north-east to south-east aspect. This allows
some warmth from the morning sun, while avoiding direct sun in the middle of the day. Nest boxes
should be located so as to minimise impact from weather, such a rain, wind, and harsh sunlight.
Boxes should be placed as high as possible. This avoids vandalism and disturbance from humans,
and minimises the risk posed by domestic and feral animals, such as dogs and cats.
To mount the nest box to a suitable tree, it is recommended that the rear of the box be attached to
the tree with galvanised self drilling screws (Type 17 14G x 100mm long Hex Head or Bugle Head
Batten Screw). This minimises the risk of injury to the tree, and is preferable to straps, wires or
chains, which can cause damage to the tree as it grows. Galvanised self drilling screws are also
more secure, and provide greater stability, making the environment more comfortable for the
inhabitants. If possible, the box should be angled slightly forwards, as this allows young to exit the
box more readily. It also aids drainage, keeping the nesting box cleaner and inhabitants happier. If
the nest box is removed from the tree, dont forget to remove the screws.
Can I use a fallen log as a nest box?
NO! Although this ready made roost may seem the ideal nesting box, by removing this log from the
ground you could be destroying valuable habitat for some amazing ground dwelling indigenous
animals. Skinks, insects, frogs and even some locally native birds and mammals rely on fallen timber
for shelter, food and protection, and it is for this reason that fallen timber should be left on the
ground.