Will a barn swallow nest in a manmade nest?

Question

I didn't want the nest to be built above my back door so I kept knocking it down. So instead they now sleep the the ledge above my back door. Will they use a bird nest I put up?

Answer 1

I doubt it.  They'll probably conclude it's a monstrosity built by an incompetent.  The nests of different swallows differ from one another in techniques, materials and details.  Some are more open, others more enclosed.  Some are round in outlines with others being semi-circular.  Lots of details like that have to be done correctly.  If it's a nest of another bird, they could well also object to the smell.

That doesn't mean you can't try it.