Supporting cavity-nesting birds in organic orchards and vineyards: Evaluating the use of artificial nest boxes

Granata E., Salvatori M., Trenti M., Franzoi A., Pedrini P., Fedrigotti C., Pes M., Brambilla M.

2026

Ecological Solutions and Evidence

7

1. Modern agriculture and the resulting changes in land use and characteristics ofagroecosystems have led to dramatic consequences on bird populations. The lossof natural structures and habitat homogenization directly affects secondary-cavity nesters, reducing biodiversity and the potential ecosystem services thatsuch species provide.
2. We assessed the role of artificial nest boxes in supporting bird breeding com-munities in intensively farmed areas, evaluating the use of 247 nest boxes acrossorganic crops (vineyards, apple orchards and mixed systems) over 2 years, con-sidering the possible effect of different drivers of nest box use (environmental,topographical and management factors).
3. Most birds occupying the nest boxes were primarily insectivorous, potentially con-tributing to pest control in permanent crops. The small and medium nest boxes,designed for tits, had the highest success. Nest box placement height showed aquadratic effect: boxes placed at intermediate height were more frequently occu-pied (with a predicted peak in occupation rate at 3.19 m above the ground). Nestbox use was positively associated with forest patch perimeter, hedgerow lengthand tree and shrub cover. Nest boxes used in the first year were predicted to bereused, indicating site fidelity.
4. Practical implications: In landscapes dominated by permanent crop, artificial nestboxes successfully provide additional nesting opportunities and potentially sup-port bird-mediated ecosystem services (e.g. pest control). Nevertheless, struc-tural heterogeneity and landscape complexity were key predictors of nest boxuse, emphasizing the importance of combining the use of artificial nests with thepreservation of natural habitat elements and ecological connectivity. These find-ings provide practical insights for improving and supporting biodiversity conser-vation in agricultural landscapes.

Agricultural intensification; Bird communities; Breeding birds; Farmland birds; Nest boxes; Organic agriculture; Vineyards.