The Surprising Reason Birds Are Nesting in Your Roof

This post may contain affiliate links.

You may think it’s odd to have birds nesting in your roof, until you learn that it’s a common problem. Sparrows, pigeons and even starlings have become unwelcome guests, with many homeowners finding themselves playing unwilling landlords. If these feathered squatters aren’t there for fun, what are they doing on your roof and why? Some of these reasons may surprise you. Your roof can be a bird magnet — whether it’s the architecture of your home or how you maintain it.

Knowing why birds choose your roof instead of a perfectly good tree will save you time and money in the long run. Plus, knowing these factors could help you avoid unwanted visits from these winged neighbours. That said, let’s get into a few reasons why our feathered friends think your roof is the hottest real estate on the block.

Easy to Reach Gaps and Crevices

Residential,House,Crushed,By,Fallen,Trees,And,Tree,Limbs,During — Photo credit: Shutterstock

Birds are great at finding even the smallest gaps in your roof. These small openings in tiles or loose shingles make for perfect entry points. Birds find these spaces as a refuge from predators and bad weather. It’s like stumbling upon a secret entrance to the coziest apartment. These little ‘welcome signs’ can be spotted with regular inspection of your roof before they attract a flock of tenants.

Social Spaces for Birds

Some are social animals – pigeons and starlings for example. If your roof offers enough space, your roof can become a meeting spot or even a colony’s nest. Group nesting is especially common on large flat roofs or around the region of multiple ridges.

Neglected Roof Maintenance

A roof that hasn’t been well maintained is likely to catch some attention from birds. Birds can find entry points or build nests in overgrown trees touching the roof, clogged gutters or missing tiles that make it easier for them to enter the attic. Luckily, regular maintenance can greatly decrease the odds of them coming in.

Attractive Roofing Materials

Close-up Photo of Old Roof Tiles — Photo Credit: Blaz Erzetic/Pexels

The materials used on some roofs pretty much turn them into bird magnets. For example, birds can use wooden tiles that are not too strongly covered for nesting spaces. Certain species can be attracted by metal roofs reflecting sunlight in a certain way. So it should be no wonder that birds are moving in if your roof gives them a surface to work or perch comfortably on.

Minimal Human Disturbance

23 Simple Hacks to Instantly Elevate Your Home’s Curb Appeal — Image Credit: Vectron X4E/Flickr

Birds love quiet spaces. If there is a section of your roof where you don’t often walk around, they’d probably choose to stay there. This problem is common in homes in quieter neighborhoods or near wooded areas. You can’t move your home, but you can disrupt nesting with noninvasive deterrents — reflective tapes or decoy predators.

Warmth and Shelter

Must-Have Costco Finds Every DIYer Will Love — Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

In colder months, roofs give warmth. The heat that leaks from your home makes it a warm, five star hotel for birds. This effect can also be added by insulation materials within your roof. This is where Cornell Lab of Ornithology did a study on, and found that birds are more likely to nest in stable temperatures areas, particularly when it comes to breeding.

Protection From Predators

Selective Focus Photo of Brown Roof Shingles — Photo Credit: Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels

Rooftops are a vantage point that predators have a hard time getting to for birds. A nest higher up is less likely attacked by squirrels, cats, and larger predator birds. Your roof offers the safety of a high rise apartment, without the rent. You can make your roof less appealing by adding netting or spikes.

Rain and Wind Resistance

Parts of Your House That Will Always Fail a Home Inspection — Image Credit: Pixabay

The protection given by a sturdy roof is excellent. When a stormy weather is on, birds will look for sheltered spots in which to ride out the winds and the rain. Good overhangs, or gutters, make for natural shelters. If you live in a locale subject to regular heavy weather, birds may well see your roof as the best place to seek shelter.

Proximity to Food Sources

If you live near gardens, bird feeders, or even trash bins, birds may decide your roof is in a convenient location. It’s like being next door to the best buffet in town! Starlings and sparrows, in particular, are opportunist feeders and will nest if food is at hand. To reduce this appeal, keep outdoor food sources covered or a distance away.

Mating and Breeding Grounds

It’s not just that birds nest for comfort, they do it for love! Roofs attract some species during breeding season when they need safe, elevated nest places for raising their young. Birds need privacy and security to raise a family, and your roof might just be providing that.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.