Does size matter for Bluetits? (1 Viewer)

[ThomasW]

If this seems a little odd please bear with me.

Almost everything I read says nest boxes should be around a certain size.
I've noticed, in my limited experience, that when bluetits nest they usually lay between 6-9 eggs though often only a couple survive to fledge.

Could this be, at least in part, due to the room they have in the nest box?
Would a larger box be beneficial?

Just wondering 🤔

 

[Kits]

Our nest box with the camera has shown that over the years, 10 eggs have been laid and 9-10 fledge. They do look quite squashed up as they reach maturity, but it hadn’t affected their progress.

 

[Bagrica]

Haha, I see what you're asking! When it comes to blue tits, size does matter in certain ways, but not the way you might be thinking! What really matters is the size of their nesting space, like the birdhouse or nest box.

For blue tits, the size of the entrance hole is important. If it's too big, other birds or predators might try to get in. If it’s too small, the blue tit parents might have trouble getting in and out with food. The ideal entrance hole for a blue tit box is about 25mm (around 1 inch) in diameter. This size works perfectly for blue tits but keeps larger birds out.

As for the size of the parents, blue tits are small birds, but it's really about their ability to gather food, protect the nest, and care for their chicks. So, while their physical size isn’t the main concern, making sure their nesting space is just right (not too big or too small) definitely helps ensure they’ll thrive!
Hope that helps clarify things!