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Nest Box Cameras

Install a camera inside a nest box without disturbing the birds. Practical cable routing, lighting, and mounting advice for successful nest cam setups.

The essentials

What you need for a nest box camera

A good nest box camera is small, quiet, low-light capable, and routes its cable out of sight. The best installations are ones the birds never notice.

  • videocam A compact USB, POE, or wireless camera — ideally under 50 mm on its longest side
  • lightbulb Infrared (IR) night vision so you can see incubation and hatch day without disturbing the nest
  • cable A weatherproof cable (or long-life battery pack) routed through a small grommeted hole in the back or side of the box
  • wifi Reliable Wi-Fi or POE/ethernet reach — nest boxes are often 30+ feet from the house
  • cloud_upload A service that can receive the clips and write you Field Notes (that's us!)

Placement

Where to mount the camera inside the box

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Top-down

Mount in the ceiling corner opposite the entrance, angled slightly toward the nest cup. Gives the classic overhead view of eggs and chicks.

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Side entry

Mount on the side wall with the lens at mid-depth. Captures adults arriving with food and the chicks turning to beg.

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Front-facing

Mount facing the entrance hole from inside. Best for identification of the exact species using the box.

Cable routing

Keeping cables safe and invisible

Drill a grommeted exit hole in the back of the box before mounting. Seal around the cable with silicone to keep moisture out, and run the cable down the mounting post inside split loom tubing so squirrels can't chew it.

  • opacity Seal every cable entry point with exterior silicone caulk to prevent water intrusion
  • shield Protect the cable run with split loom or conduit — squirrels will otherwise chew through unshielded wiring
  • power For battery-powered cameras, use lithium cells and expect 2–3 months of runtime in moderate temperatures
  • thermostat Check that your camera tolerates winter temperatures if you plan to leave it installed year-round

Ready to connect your nest cam to EverydayEarth?

Upload clips from any camera and get AI-narrated Field Notes automatically. Works with Blink, Nest, and manual uploads.

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