Birds naturally build their nests on the best real estate, so any bird-friendly yard is likely to have an increase in activity come nesting time. If you enjoy helping the birds in your yard, try putting out some nesting material in the early spring for them to use.

You can buy packages of nesting material for birds, or better yet, make your own nesting material “ornaments” or baskets. Here’s how to supply nesting material safely to the birds in your yard.

What to Use for Bird Nesting Materials

Most common, cup-shaped bird nests are made primarily of woven grass and twigs, with a softer lining to keep the eggs and babies warm. Cavity nesting birds, such as woodpeckers, also look for soft materials to line their nests.

Some of the best nesting materials to supply to birds are:

• Cloth Strips: Natural fibers – such as cotton, wool, jute, and burlap – make perfect bird nesting materials. Cut old fabric into pieces 3” to 6” long and no more than 1” wide. Longer pieces are too much for birds to handle and can even strangle them.
• String and Ribbon: String, twine, ribbon, lace, and yarn make good nesting materials. Use natural fibers, and cut pieces no more than 3”- 6” long.
• Small Yard Debris: Pine straw, wheat straw, and tiny twigs make good bird nest building materials.
• Grass Clippings: One of the most common nesting materials, grass clippings can be gathered into balls or simply left mulched into your lawn.


Cotton batting nesting ball

• Animal Hair: If you brush or clip your animals, save the fur! It makes a wonderfully soft lining for bird nests. You can use human hair clippings, too. Just don’t use any hair or fur that’s been treated with chemicals, such as flea dips or insect repellents.
• Cocoa Fiber: Recycle worn-out linings of hanging baskets for bird nesting material.
• Plants and Seeds: Fluffy seeds and plants, such as cattails, make good bird nesting materials.
• Cloth Batting: Wool or cotton batting cut into 3”- 6” strips makes good nesting material.
• Feathers: Providing feathers for nesting material is a great way to recycle old down pillows!
• Moss: Sphagnum or Spanish moss make great bird nesting materials.

What Not to Use for Bird Nesting Materials

Items to avoid for bird nesting materials include:

• Dryer Lint: While dryer lint may seem like an ideal nesting material, it hardens and crumbles when it gets wet. Instead, use things more fibrous that the birds can weave together.
• Synthetic Material: Even though birds will grab things like cellophane and plastic for their nest, avoid providing synthetic materials that can harm both the birds and the environment.
• Synthetic String: Never provide fishing line or nylon twine as bird nesting material, since it can cause deadly tangles.

How to Put Out Bird Nesting Materials

Ways to provide nesting materials to birds in your yard include:

• On Ground: The easiest way to provide nesting materials for birds is to scatter it on the ground, or put it in piles in sheltered areas where birds gather.

In Shrubs and Trees: You can also spread bird nesting materials on top of shrubs, in tree crevices, or in baskets.

• Hanging Ornaments: If you prefer a less messy approach, stuff an empty wire suet bird feeder cage with nesting material and hang it from a tree or fence post. You can also use natural mesh bags, or make your own hangers out of wire. Nesting material ornaments can be artistic and make great gifts for the bird lovers in your life!

Other ways to make your yard more nest-friendly include:

• Leave grass clippings on your lawn.
• Avoid using chemicals on your lawn, garden, or house.
• Leave some areas of your yard “natural,” with plenty of hiding places and fallen debris for nest building, and natural populations of insects and spiders. Some birds like to use mud and spider webs to plaster their nests.

Further Information

• Landscaping Tips for a Bird-Friendly Yard (article)
• Attracting Nesting Birds (National Wildlife Federation)
• Attracting Wild Birds with Nest Material (shawcreekbirdsupply.com)
• Plants in Your Garden that Produce Seed for Birds (article)
• Wild Bird Feeding Basics (article)
• How to Clean and Maintain a Birdbath in Your Yard (video)
• How to Attract Woodpeckers to Your Yard (article)
• How to Make a Bird Seed Wreath (article)

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