Blog

House Finches are known to nest around human habitations, but are only rarely documented using nest boxes. We spoke to two NestWatchers who have House Finches using nest boxes they monitor, and we share tips on what to look for if you think you might have them, too!

A NestWatcher discovers an albino Tree Swallow in a Massachusetts nest box. Fewer than one-half of a percent of all birds have this genetic condition.

The latest research paper to include NestWatch data is not your average avian study. Your data contributions were recently put to use in an examination of gray ratsnake climbing behavior. The study authors were interested in which factors correlate with ratsnake climbing forays, and they wondered if the timing of nests (and thus a seasonal abundance of eggs and nestlings) was an influence.

In New York City, citizen scientists help urban hawks by contributing nest observations to the raptor nest monitoring project administered by NYC Parks’ Wildlife Unit. By contributing to NestWatch, these volunteers are helping to reduce secondary poisoning of birds of prey.

This month we shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Much about their breeding habits remains a mystery, creating a great opportunity for citizen scientists to contribute valuable insights. Discover what we still don’t know about Nuttall’s Woodpecker and how you can get involved in uncovering these mysteries.

The familiar Barn Swallow is an agile, active flier that nests in close association with humans. However, their numbers have been declining recently due to several factors. In this blog post, swallow conservationist Mara Silver shares some insights on how she helped resurrect a colony in a disused barn site.

Last summer, NestWatcher Melissa Sherwood surprised us with the first ever report of a Dark-eyed Junco nesting in an enclosed nest box. Well, this year, Denise Hamilton joins the exclusive club of people who have observed this rare behavior.

We’re noticing more birds weaving bits of human-made materials—like plastic bags or fishing line—into their nests, and we’re curious about what that means for their success. Could plastic pose risks, or might it offer some unexpected benefits? This summer, we’re teaming up with a Cornell University student to find out, and we’d love your help. If you find and monitor an American Robin, Gray Catbird, or Northern Mockingbird nest, you can snap a couple of quick photos (from the side and above) and upload them to NestWatch. By comparing nests with and without plastic, we can learn more about how these materials affect birds.

With the help of NestWatcher David Alva, we went on a learning journey about the centuries-old Japanese technique of shou sugi ban to find out if it would be suitable for a birdhouse. This wood-charring method creates a weathered look that adds durability and beauty without the need for chemical treatments.