Video Link:

‪‪https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixFrqHqtxcI

Notes:

Testing different configurations of the Texas Bluebird Society Nest Box as noted above.

Results:

Both the Texas Light Tan Box and the Texas Box with White Shields tested noticeably cooler (3°F-4°F at 4:30PM) than the normal regular colored Texas Box with Regular Venting (1/2in vents) and Texas Box with Extra Venting (5/8in vents).

The Texas Box with 5/8in venting was up to 1.3°F cooler than the Texas Box with regular 1/2in top vents.

The Weathered Texas Box was very hot reaching 108.9°F at 92.3°F ambient at 4:30PM.

Conclusion:

The three factors tested in these experiments are Color of Box, Ventilation and Heat Shields. All three are significant but color of box is the most important.

Recommendation:

Use a light colored paint and/or heat shields to protect your nest boxes. Also make sure your boxes have adequate top cross ventilation. The best cooling is obtained using a combination of light color, good ventilation and light colored heat shields.