When summer temperatures rise, backyard birds can face life-threatening conditions inside their nesting boxes. The small wooden shelters might seem like they have plenty of insulation for cavity-nesting birds, but looks can be deceiving. When the air outside hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the interior of a sun-exposed nesting box can rise to 110 degrees or more, putting eggs and nestlings at serious risk of heat stress or dehydration. The most vulnerable are young birds under nine days old and nesting bluebirds that opt for boxes in open, sunlit areas. Prolonged exposure can lead to failed hatches or worse, so when facing a heatwave, there are immediate steps you can take, such as shading the box or relocating it to a partially sheltered area, that can significantly lower interior temperatures and ensure the safety of your backyard visitors.

Equally important is ignoring the urge to interfere directly with the birds or nestlings. Seemingly innocuous actions like offering water to baby birds or moving them indoors may do more harm than good. Instead, ensure that adult birds have constant access to fresh water, ideally via a shaded birdbath. You’ll also want to keep pesticide use in your yard to an absolute minimum, as toxic residue on insects can harm both adult birds and their young. Making your backyard a friendly space for birds is critical during summer, but in the colder months, you can keep birds visiting your yard during winter with a roosting box.

Protecting backyard birds from the heat doesn’t have to involve expensive materials or construction. Many practical, cost-effective hacks can reduce the internal temperature of your nesting boxes, creating a safer environment for birds to raise their young. If your nesting box currently sits in the sun, paint it a light color that reflects heat better. And while it might be tempting to use whatever wood is lying around to make a bird box, remember that thin materials retain more heat—you’ll want to use at least 1-inch-thick lumber for natural insulation. If you’re expecting multiple 100-degree days, specially designed heat shields made from PVC can also be a solution, which you can install between broods with minimal disruption.

Of course, attracting the right kinds of birds to your yard goes beyond just safety. When you take steps to create a bird-friendly space, especially by reducing heat risks for birds during peak summer, you’re encouraging beneficial species to return year after year. This includes insectivores that help control pests and pollinators that enrich your garden. Not sure which birds you want to see out there? Take a look at the types of birds you want in your yard to guide your efforts. And don’t forget to make your backyard a heat-resilient haven — planting native shrubs, providing natural shade, and offering shallow, clean water are all simple ways to help. Even small steps can have a big impact on your feathered neighbors’ well-being when the temperature spikes.