What birds nest in walls in Alaska?

Black-capped Chickadee collecting grubs for chicks | Ken Griffiths

🐦 What Birds Nest in Walls in Alaska?

Hearing chirping, scratching, fluttering, or tapping inside a wall can be surprising, especially when the sounds begin suddenly during spring or early summer. In Alaska, several cavity-nesting birds may investigate buildings when they find openings beneath siding, rooflines, eaves, vents, or other exterior gaps.

The most likely birds to nest in or around walls in Alaska include Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, chickadees, European Starlings, and occasionally woodpeckers such as Northern Flickers. Snow Buntings may also use cavities associated with buildings in suitable parts of Alaska.

The exact species depends heavily on where you live. Alaska stretches across several very different bird habitats, so a bird nesting in the wall of a home near Anchorage may be different from one using a building in Southeast Alaska or a structure in tundra country.

⚡ Quick Answer: Common Wall-Nesting Birds in Alaska

Bird	Likelihood Around Buildings	Typical Nest Location
Tree Swallow	High	Eaves, holes, cavities, nest boxes
Violet-green Swallow	High in suitable areas	Building cavities, eaves, nest boxes
Black-capped Chickadee	Moderate	Small cavities and openings
Boreal Chickadee	Moderate	Cavities, especially near forest
Chestnut-backed Chickadee	Regional	Cavities in Southeast Alaska
European Starling	Moderate and locally common	Wall cavities, roof openings, vents
Northern Flicker	Occasional	Larger cavities or damaged wood
Snow Bunting	Regional	Holes and cavities in buildings
House Sparrow	Uncommon in Alaska	Building holes and crevices

Alaska has an especially diverse group of cavity-nesting birds. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game lists about 30 species that naturally use cavities, although most prefer trees rather than buildings.

🐦 Tree Swallows

Tree Swallows are one of the first birds to consider when you notice small birds repeatedly entering a hole near the roof or siding.

These attractive swallows have dark blue-green upperparts and bright white underparts. They spend much of their time flying over open areas catching insects.

Tree Swallows normally nest in natural tree cavities and abandoned woodpecker holes, but they readily accept artificial cavities. They may occasionally use openings in building eaves or similar sheltered spaces.

In Alaska, swallow nest boxes are commonly placed in open areas, including cities, lawns, gardens, field edges, and open forests. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recommends placing swallow boxes roughly 10–20 feet above the ground and notes that they can even be mounted beneath house eaves.

Signs you may have Tree Swallows

Look for:

Small blue-and-white birds flying rapidly around the property
Birds repeatedly entering the same small opening
Frequent aerial insect hunting near the house
Increased activity during spring and early summer
Chirping coming from a cavity once nestlings hatch

The adults may make dozens of feeding trips once chicks are in the nest.

🐦 Violet-Green Swallows

Violet-green Swallows are another cavity-nesting swallow found in Alaska.

They are especially striking when seen in good light, with metallic green upperparts, purple tones on the rump, and white wrapping around the sides of the face.

Like Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows ordinarily use old woodpecker holes and natural cavities. They also readily accept nest boxes and other artificial nesting spaces.

Cornell notes that Violet-green Swallow nest boxes can be attached to buildings as well as trees, poles, and dead trees.

A small opening beneath siding or an eave can therefore resemble exactly the kind of protected cavity these birds seek.

If you see swallows repeatedly disappearing into a hole in your house, watch the birds from a distance. Their distinctive white facial pattern can help separate Violet-green Swallows from Tree Swallows.

🐦 Black-Capped Chickadees

The familiar Black-capped Chickadee is another possibility, particularly around homes near deciduous woodland.

Chickadees are cavity nesters. Black-capped Chickadees may use:

Natural tree cavities
Rotten sections of trees
Abandoned woodpecker holes
Nest boxes
Occasionally other protected cavities that resemble natural nest sites

They are small enough to enter surprisingly tiny spaces.

A wall opening caused by deteriorated trim, damaged siding, or a gap around another structural feature could potentially attract a chickadee if the cavity behind it provides enough nesting space.

Black-capped Chickadees frequently excavate their own cavities in soft or decaying wood, while also using existing holes.

What chickadees sound like inside a wall

Because chickadees are small, noises may be much quieter than those produced by starlings or woodpeckers.

You might hear:

Soft scratching
Light tapping
Brief fluttering
Rapid begging calls from chicks

Once nestlings are large, the sound may become much more noticeable whenever a parent arrives with food.

🐦 Boreal Chickadees

Boreal Chickadees are another cavity-nesting species found across large portions of Alaska, particularly in spruce-dominated landscapes.

They normally nest in trees rather than buildings, but a suitable artificial cavity near forest habitat could potentially attract one.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game includes Boreal Chickadees among the state’s cavity-nesting birds and notes that chickadees can use appropriately designed nest boxes.

A bird nesting in a home surrounded by boreal forest is therefore worth observing carefully before assuming that it is one of the more familiar building-associated species.

🐦 Chestnut-Backed Chickadees

In Southeast Alaska, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee becomes another possibility.

This chickadee is strongly associated with coniferous forests. Like other chickadees, it uses cavities for nesting.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game specifically lists Chestnut-backed Chickadees among Alaska’s cavity-nesting species and notes their preference for coniferous forest habitat.

They are much less likely to become serious building pests than European Starlings, but any small cavity-nesting bird may take advantage of an unusually inviting opening.

🐦 European Starlings

If the birds seem relatively large, noisy, and determined to squeeze into a building, European Starlings are strong suspects.

Starlings are exceptionally adaptable cavity nesters. They commonly use cavities in buildings and other structures and can carry substantial amounts of grass and other nesting material into the cavity.

Cornell describes building cavities as typical nesting locations for European Starlings.

Starlings are introduced rather than native to North America. Alaska Department of Fish and Game information notes established starlings in Alaska, including nesting records in central and southeastern portions of the state and observations elsewhere.

Signs of starlings in a wall

You may notice:

Larger dark birds entering a hole repeatedly
Yellow bills during the breeding season
Glossy or iridescent plumage
Loud whistles, rattles, clicks, or squeaks
Large amounts of nesting material
Considerably more noise than you would expect from a chickadee
Birds aggressively defending the entrance

Because starlings readily live around people, openings in walls, roofs, vents, soffits, and other structures can be especially attractive.

🐦 Northern Flickers

A woodpecker may also be involved—particularly if the opening itself seems to have been enlarged.

The Northern Flicker occurs in Alaska and is a cavity-nesting woodpecker. Flickers usually excavate nests in dead or diseased trees, particularly trees with softer interiors.

Buildings are not their normal nesting habitat, so a flicker nesting within a wall would be less typical than a swallow or starling using an existing hole.

However, woodpeckers sometimes investigate wooden buildings.

If you hear pronounced hammering rather than light scratching or fluttering, inspect the exterior from a safe distance for evidence of woodpecker activity.

❄️ Snow Buntings

In northern, western, alpine, and tundra portions of Alaska, Snow Buntings deserve special consideration.

Unlike many cavity-nesting birds, Snow Buntings naturally use holes among rocks and other sheltered spaces in open tundra landscapes. They may also nest in human-made cavities.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game specifically notes that Snow Bunting nest boxes may be mounted on houses in appropriate tundra habitat.

That means an opening in a remote building, cabin, shed, or other structure could potentially provide nesting habitat.

🐦 What About House Sparrows?

House Sparrows are famous for nesting inside buildings throughout much of North America, so they often appear on lists of birds found in walls.

They use holes in buildings, roofs, signs, light fixtures, and many other human structures.

However, House Sparrows are a much less likely explanation in Alaska than they would be in most of the Lower 48.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game information indicates that House Sparrows have been recorded in the state but, unlike European Starlings, have not historically become widely established there.

Therefore, don’t automatically identify a brown bird entering your siding as a House Sparrow simply because that species commonly nests in buildings elsewhere.

🏠 Why Do Birds Nest Inside Walls?

A house can accidentally imitate a natural tree cavity.

Cavity-nesting birds look for enclosed locations that protect eggs and nestlings from:

Rain
Wind
Cold
Predators
Direct sunlight

A small opening beneath the siding may lead to a surprisingly spacious enclosed area. To a swallow, chickadee, or starling, it can look much like a hollow tree.

Common entry points include:

Loose siding
Gaps beneath eaves
Damaged soffits
Open vents
Gaps around pipes
Holes where cables enter buildings
Deteriorated trim
Openings beneath roofing
Damage originally created by another animal

Alaska’s cold climate may make sheltered cavities particularly valuable.

🔊 Is It Really a Bird in the Wall?

Not every scratching sound comes from a bird.

Before attempting to identify the animal, pay attention to when the noise occurs.

Birds are usually most active during daylight. Nesting activity often increases around sunrise and continues throughout the day.

A bird nest becomes especially obvious after the eggs hatch because hungry chicks may begin calling whenever an adult approaches.

Signs pointing toward birds

You may see:

Birds carrying grass, moss, feathers, or twigs
Adults carrying insects into an opening
Adults removing fecal sacs from the nest
Repeated entry through one specific hole
Chirping during daylight
Increased activity during spring

If the sounds occur primarily in the middle of the night, another animal may be responsible.

📅 When Do Birds Nest in Alaska Buildings?

For many species, the highest chance of encountering nesting activity is during spring and early summer.

Timing varies considerably with latitude and species.

Some resident birds begin investigating cavities while snow and cold conditions are still very much present. Alaska Department of Fish and Game notes that chickadees and woodpeckers can begin looking for nest sites in February, March, and April, while swallows may still accept new nest boxes in late May or early June.

This is important if you’re planning exterior repairs.

Closing a wall opening before nesting starts is much easier than discovering an active nest after birds have already laid eggs.

⚖️ Can You Remove a Bird Nest From a Wall in Alaska?

Do not simply seal an entrance while birds are actively nesting inside.

Besides potentially trapping adults or chicks, native birds and their active nests may be protected by federal or state law.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game states that most birds in Alaska fall under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and that active nests cannot simply be disturbed when eggs or young are present.

If you discover an active nest, determine which species is using it before taking action.

Rules may differ for introduced species such as European Starlings and House Sparrows, so identification matters.

When there is any uncertainty—especially when eggs or nestlings are present—contact the appropriate wildlife authority for guidance before removing or blocking the nest.

🛠️ How to Keep Birds From Nesting in Your Walls

The safest long-term strategy is exclusion before nesting begins.

Once you know a cavity is empty, inspect the building carefully.

Look for:

Broken siding
Missing soffit panels
Unscreened vents
Damaged fascia
Openings around pipes
Gaps around utility lines
Loose roof trim
Woodpecker damage

Repairing these openings prevents birds from returning the following year.

Never seal a hole without checking it first

An adult bird may be outside gathering food while young remain hidden inside.

If you seal the opening at that moment, the nestlings may become trapped.

Watch the opening from a distance over a period of time before assuming it is unused.

🪺 Give Native Cavity Nesters Another Option

If Tree Swallows or chickadees repeatedly investigate your home, consider providing a properly designed nest box elsewhere on the property.

Alaska has many native cavity-nesting species that readily use birdhouses when the size, entrance hole, placement, and habitat are appropriate.

A good nest box can provide the sheltered cavity the birds need without allowing them to enter your home.

Different birds require different entrance-hole dimensions, so don’t use a generic birdhouse and assume it will work for every species.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game provides specific nest-box dimensions for Alaska’s cavity-nesting birds.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most likely bird nesting in my wall in Alaska?

Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, chickadees, and European Starlings are among the strongest possibilities. The answer depends on your region, surrounding habitat, size of the opening, and appearance of the bird.

Do swallows nest in Alaska houses?

Yes. Alaska has cavity-nesting swallows that will use artificial nesting locations. Tree Swallows occasionally use building eaves, while Violet-green Swallows readily accept appropriately located artificial cavities and nest boxes.

Do chickadees nest inside walls?

They normally nest in tree cavities, decaying wood, and nest boxes. However, a small protected opening in a building can resemble the cavities chickadees naturally seek.

Do starlings nest in Alaska?

Yes. European Starlings have become established in Alaska, although their abundance varies geographically.

Do House Sparrows live in Alaska?

House Sparrows have been recorded in Alaska, but they are far less established than in much of the Lower 48. A bird nesting in an Alaska wall should therefore not automatically be assumed to be a House Sparrow.

Can woodpeckers nest in house walls?

Woodpeckers overwhelmingly prefer trees for nesting. A Northern Flicker or another woodpecker could investigate or damage wooden siding, but a woodpecker nesting inside a wall would be less typical than a starling or swallow occupying an existing cavity.

Can I remove a nest after the birds leave?

Once a nest is genuinely inactive and legal restrictions no longer apply, the cavity can generally be cleaned and the entrance repaired. Make absolutely sure no eggs, nestlings, or birds remain inside before sealing it.

Will birds return to the same wall next year?

They may. A successful nesting cavity can remain attractive in future seasons, either to the same species or another cavity-nesting bird. Repairing the entrance after nesting is finished is the best way to prevent repeated use.

🐦 Final Thoughts

Alaska may be famous for immense wilderness, but birds living around homes still take advantage of the same thing they seek in the forest: a safe cavity.

Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, chickadees, European Starlings, and several other Alaska birds are capable of recognizing sheltered spaces associated with buildings as potential nest sites. In tundra country, even Snow Buntings may use human-made cavities.

If birds have already begun nesting inside a wall, the first step should be identification—not immediately sealing the hole. Watch the entrance, determine whether the nest is active, and remember that many Alaska birds and their active nests are legally protected.

Once nesting has ended, repairing the opening can keep your house bird-free while a properly placed nest box nearby gives native cavity nesters a much better place to raise their young.