4 Blue Tits in the one bird box?

[sgtBerbatov]

I've worked from home since March, and in the garden we have a lot of plants etc and a bird box attached to the house. The bird box was put up by the previous owners, and I had intended to replace it before any birds had chance to move in. I've missed that chance for this year!

Anyway, I've noticed that I have 4 Blue Tits in the garden. Previously in March we only had the pair, and I swear blind that the four of them are going in to this one bird box. I didn't think that two pairs would cohabit like that?

Also, if I want to put another bird box up, how far away does it have to be from this one bird box in order to not have Blue Tit murder in my garden?

[BoggoStump]

I would consider putting another bird box up, i would pay attention to not mount it in the sunlight or else they will be cooked come spring / summer. I dont know how far away but the sun and cats are more of a concern to where you position it.

[Boosted LS1]

They're grouping together to keep warm. I think the record for wrens in one box is over 60 during a winter.

[sgtBerbatov]

BoggoStump said:

I would consider putting another bird box up, i would pay attention to not mount it in the sunlight or else they will be cooked come spring / summer. I dont know how far away but the sun and cats are more of a concern to where you position it.

Where the current box is, on the back of the house, only gets a bit of sun at the end of the day, under the wisteria. So it'll be fine to put another one next to it.

Boosted LS1 said:

They're grouping together to keep warm. I think the record for wrens in one box is over 60 during a winter.

I didn't know this. I'm new to taking an interest in the birds. We put out fat balls and food etc for them, but for ages I thought the bird box was defunct. Wasn't until lock down did I realise that we had these birds live here.

[bunchofkeys]

Boosted LS1 said:

They're grouping together to keep warm. I think the record for wrens in one box is over 60 during a winter.

Two pair of tits, huddling together to keep warm

[Boosted LS1]

Long-tailed tits sharing warmth. When the one on the end gets cold he barges into rhe middle and so on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05wn4sy