Shelters for Black Phoebes, Barn Swallows & Cliff Swallows
Barn and cliff swallows and black phoebes build mud nests under bridges, overhead shelters and similar structures that provide protection and open access.
These voracious insect eating birds are great neighbors.
There are cases where they have been attracted to shelters made specially for them.
One shelter has a 2″ by 8″ ledge, approximately a 8″ high gable roof, an open front and partially open sides.
Another has a 2″ by 6″ ledge, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Barn swallows used to nest on cliffs, in caves and tree hollows. They have mostly adapted to nesting in human made structures such as barns, open sheds, under eaves and sometimes under bridges and wharves.
Cliff swallows historically nested in large colonies on cliff faces and many still do. Many have adapted to nesting on the undersides of bridges, often over water, under wharves and similar structures. They don’t nest near people as often as barn swallows although they sometimes nest under eaves.
Black phoebes nest on vertical surfaces often directly over or near water on old shed walls, bridges, even abandoned wells on farms, in towns and cities and in the wild among natural formations.
Mount shelters on the side of a garage or shed over looking open spaces and foliage from seven to twelve feet high. Place over water for cliff swallows. Carefully select a location that provides a balance of protection from predators and elements, access and visibility.
Do not mount in trees. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest. The purpose of a platform, or ledge, is to simulate an isolated cliff edge on a wall face. It’s usually safe from predators and they can survey a wide area from their roost.
These shelters may be useful in only a few situations such as where no open shelters or eaves exist. The mud pellet nests of black phoebes and barn and cliff swallows readily adhere to vertical surfaces without any assistance. If structures that these birds typically use for nesting are available, there may be no need for these shelters. But you never know. They are attractive ornaments and are not a lot of work.
Birds that may Nest under these Shelters
Black Phoebe, Barn & Cliff Swallow Shelters
Barn and cliff swallows and black phoebes build mud nests under bridges, overhead shelters and similar structures that provide protection and open access.
These voracious insect eating birds are great neighbors.
There are cases where they have been attracted to shelters made specially for them.
One shelter has a 2″ by 8″ ledge, approximately a 8″ high gable roof, an open front and partially open sides.
Another has a 2″ by 6″ ledge, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Barn swallows used to nest on cliffs, in caves and tree hollows. They have mostly adapted to nesting in human made structures such as barns, open sheds, under eaves and sometimes under bridges and wharves.
Cliff swallows historically nested in large colonies on cliff faces and many still do. Many have adapted to nesting on the undersides of bridges, often over water, under wharves and similar structures. They don’t nest near people as often as barn swallows although they sometimes nest under eaves.
Black phoebes nest on vertical surfaces often directly over or near water on old shed walls, bridges, even abandoned wells on farms, in towns and cities and in the wild among natural formations.
Mount shelters on the side of a garage or shed over looking open spaces and foliage from seven to twelve feet high. Place over water for cliff swallows. Carefully select a location that provides a balance of protection from predators and elements, access and visibility.
Do not mount in trees. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest. The purpose of a platform, or ledge, is to simulate an isolated cliff edge on a wall face. It’s usually safe from predators and they can survey a wide area from their roost.
These shelters may be useful in only a few situations such as where no open shelters or eaves exist. The mud pellet nests of black phoebes and barn and cliff swallows readily adhere to vertical surfaces without any assistance. If structures that these birds typically use for nesting are available, there may be no need for these shelters. But you never know. They are attractive ornaments and are not a lot of work.
Birds That May Nest Under These Shelters
Shelters for Black Phoebes,
Barn Swallows & Cliff Swallows
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home
Barn and cliff swallows and black phoebes build mud nests under bridges, overhead shelters and similar structures that provide protection and open access.
These voracious insect eating birds are great neighbors.
There are cases where they have been attracted to shelters made specially for them.
One shelter has a 2″ by 8″ ledge, approximately a 8″ high gable roof, an open front and partially open sides.
Another has a 2″ by 6″ ledge, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Barn swallows used to nest on cliffs, in caves and tree hollows. They have mostly adapted to nesting in human made structures such as barns, open sheds, under eaves and sometimes under bridges and wharves.
Cliff swallows historically nested in large colonies on cliff faces and many still do. Many have adapted to nesting on the undersides of bridges, often over water, under wharves and similar structures. They don’t nest near people as often as barn swallows although they sometimes nest under eaves.
Black phoebes nest on vertical surfaces often directly over or near water on old shed walls, bridges, even abandoned wells on farms, in towns and cities and in the wild among natural formations.
Mount shelters on the side of a garage or shed over looking open spaces and foliage from seven to twelve feet high. Place over water for cliff swallows. Carefully select a location that provides a balance of protection from predators and elements, access and visibility.
Do not mount in trees. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest. The purpose of a platform, or ledge, is to simulate an isolated cliff edge on a wall face. It’s usually safe from predators and they can survey a wide area from their roost.
These shelters may be useful in only a few situations such as where no open shelters or eaves exist. The mud pellet nests of black phoebes and barn and cliff swallows readily adhere to vertical surfaces without any assistance. If structures that these birds typically use for nesting are available, there may be no need for these shelters. But you never know. They are attractive ornaments and are not a lot of work.
Birds That Nest Under These Shelters
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