What is a vogelvide?

A vogelvide is an eaves bird comb with a built-in nesting space. It closes off the eaves so that birds cannot crawl further under the roof tiles, but provides a place to nest within the unit itself. It was developed in the Netherlands by roof tile manufacturer Monier together with the Dutch bird protection society Vogelbescherming Nederland, mainly for the house sparrow. The Dutch name roughly means “bird space”.

Why a vogelvide?

Modern roofs are well sealed. That helps against fouling, leaks and pests, but house sparrows and other building-dwelling birds lose their breeding places. The house sparrow has declined sharply in numbers. A vogelvide combines a closed eaves with a fixed nesting place.

Features

• Fits under most types of roof tiles and tiled roofs.
• Allows the roof to ventilate sufficiently.
• Prevents birds from crawling further under the tiles, reducing fouling of the roof.
• Performs the same function as an ordinary eaves closure.
• Easy to install, both by professionals and by homeowners.

Application

A vogelvide suits new build, re-roofing and nature-inclusive building. Many Dutch municipalities ask for provisions for building-dwelling species in new build and renovation. In the Netherlands the nest sites of house sparrows and swifts are protected all year round: if you remove existing nest sites you must compensate and may need permission. Elsewhere, check your local wildlife protection rules; in many countries active nests are protected by law.

Tips

• Fit several: house sparrows like to breed in small groups. A few units side by side work better than a single one.
• Height and orientation: choose a spot at some height, out of reach of cats. Avoid a south-facing elevation where it gets very hot under the tiles.
• Combine: shrubs, a green facade and a planted garden make the nest site more attractive; sparrows look for food and cover close to home.
• Other species: for swifts and house martins there are separate nest bricks, nest boxes and artificial nests.

Related terms

• Eaves bird comb
• Bird deterrence
• Nest box
• Eaves
• Roof tile

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