To accurately capture the details of bird biology and behavior on a broad scale, the scientific community needs the input of citizen monitors and amateur birders. Scientific inquiry can be carried out by people of all ages, from preschoolers to senior citizens. And when scientific inquiry is encouraged at an early age, youth are primed for a lifetime of scientific literacy. By providing nest boxes, people can take personal satisfaction in doing something good, both for their fellow creatures and for the environment. For many people, putting up nest boxes starts out as a minor interest or hobby and soon turns into a full-time weekend occupation.
People can see the fruits of their endeavors first-hand.
Every time an Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, or other cavity nester chooses to nest in a box they provide, they feel gratified. And doing something good feels good. Nest boxes provide an opportunity for people to learn about birds and the natural world . Every time people open a nest box, they peek into the lives of the birds occupying the box. Regular checks enable people to witness the labors of parent birds, from the time they painstakingly build their nest, up to the time they coax their nestlings out of the box to take their first flight.