Instead of resting in a nest, blackbirds will find a random spot (like a hole in a tree!) or join a group of other blackbirds to sleep. This allows them to warm their bodies, and look out for one another to warn about danger.
Many blackbirds will also utilize a nesting box, especially in the winter!
Where Do Blackbirds Sleep At Night?
A common belief is that blackbirds (and other species of birds) actually sleep in the nest at night. In reality, nests are used nearly always for the nesting season only.
It’s the perfect place to incubate eggs and raise chicks. Outside of the mating season, they don’t even sleep in nests.
Instead, they will find a hole in a tree or another warm, sheltered place. They also often sleep next to each other in a flock; safety in numbers!
Blackbirds Are Nocturnal
Like most birds, blackbirds are nocturnal creatures. They may take a few catnaps during the day (for example, when incubating eggs) but they will do the majority of their sleeping at night.
Most birds, including blackbirds, will become scarce once dark descends.
You can rest easy knowing that these crafty, ambitious birds have found somewhere safe to sleep for the night.
Pro-tip: If you’re trying to see a blackbird, you’ll want to look during the dawn/dusk transition time.
Where Do Blackbirds Sleep In the Winter?
So, blackbirds will roost in nooks or in a flock, that is fine, but where do blackbirds spend the night in the winter?
In the winter blackbirds will certainly place a greater emphasis on staying warm, (in winter blackbirds will place more emphasis on escaping freezing temperatures).
They will search for extra well insulated nooks, and it is a fortunate blackbird that has access to a vacant bird box!
For the sake of body heat sharing, some blackbirds will also roost again, in a comfortable flock.
Do Wild Birds Sleep In the Same Place Every Night?
Whether birds sleep in the same spot every night is dependent on the bird themselves. Some birds will travel farther afield and will hunker down wherever looks safe as it is starting to get dark.
Others tend to remain in an area or make it a point to return to the same, familiar spot before dusk. Therefore, for the sake of ease/familiarity, many birds will sleep in the same spot.
There are also those who do not. Lots of blackbirds will return to the same yard year after year!
Will Blackbirds Sleep in a Nesting Box?
Not all birds are going to use a nesting box. Do blackbirds?
In reality, blackbirds are one of the birds who will enjoy a nesting box – especially during the winter months!
Blackbirds prefer nesting boxes to have wide-open doors, so they can check the surrounding area.
Additionally, you want to make sure that no predators (like hawks or cats) can see or access the nesting box, either!
How to Create A Warm Winter Nesting Box
Blackbirds will often enjoy a warm, quality nesting box in winter.
Naturally, the nesting box will need to be quite more weather-proof and insulated than in spring and summer.
This means that a few steps to create a warmer, winter-ready nesting box may be in order:
- First off, seal up any gaps in the bird box: The very first step to providing a nice warm nesting box is to insulate it. Insulating a bird box entails sealing up any gaps, holes, or cracks in the box. Cold drafts can quickly get the temperature to drop, so when it comes to cossetting a box, sealing those out can make a huge difference!
- Secondly, relocate the bird box: If you have snow and wind in the fall season and/or winter, you may want to relocate your bird box. In a perfect world, you are going to find a location where the box will be out of the weather and shielded from the elements.
What Do Blackbirds Do During the Day?
Throughout the day, blackbirds are performing the behavior that all birds are doing: looking for food! Blackbirds prefer seeds and grains and will be found around fields and meadows on account of that.
Along with these behaviors, blackbirds will mate, nest, and migrate during the day. They are active creatures and take full advantage of daylight. Once the sun goes down, they are ready to sleep!
Final Words
So if you’re wondering where do blackbirds actually sleep? You’ll find that blackbirds will either locate a cozy nook or they’ll wrap their bodies for protection in a flock.
As many birds do, blackbirds also roost at night, so you won’t see them in the dark.
And lastly, if you’d like blackbirds to sleep in your yard, it isn’t a bad idea at all to provide a nice bird box!