|
Nest Box Specifications
Species
|
Floor of Cavity
Inches
|
Cavity Depth
Inches
|
Entrance above Floor
Inches
|
Size of Entrance
Inches
|
Height above Ground
Feet
|
|
| Screech Owl |
8 x 8 |
15 to 18 |
12 to 14 |
4 |
10-30 |
Open wooded areas on dead trees above surrounding foilage. Add wood shavings.
|
| Barn Owl |
16 x 24 |
18 |
8 |
6 |
12-18 |
Locate near buildings, barns, or open fields.
|
| Bluebird |
5 x 5 |
8 |
6 |
1½ |
5-10 |
Place in open sunlit areas on fence posts or trees.
|
Place in shaded parts of trees or under eaves of house or shed.
|
| Barn Swallow |
6 x 6 |
6 |
* |
* |
8-12 |
Place a number of shelves together under the eaves of buildings near water.
|
| Chickadee |
4 x 4 |
8-10 |
6-8 |
1¼ |
6-15 |
Prefer rustic houses. Place along wooded areas or in old orchards.
|
| Nuthatch |
4 x 4 |
8-10 |
6-8 |
1¼ |
12-20 |
Prefer rustic houses. Place along wooded areas or in old orchards.
|
| Wrens |
4 x 4 |
6-8 |
1-6 |
1 |
6-10 |
Any partly sunlit spot. These houses may be hung from a tree limb.
|
| Tree Swallow |
5 x 5 |
6 |
1-5 |
1½ |
10-15 |
Place several boxes together on a post or dead tree near water.
|
| Barn Swallow |
6 x 6 |
6 |
* |
* |
8-12 |
Place a number of shelves together under the eaves of buildings near water.
|
| Purple Martin |
6 x 6 |
6 |
1 |
2½ |
15-20 |
A colony of houses together near a pond or stream will attract these birds.
|
| Flicker |
7 x 7 |
16-18 |
14-16 |
2½ |
6-20 |
Prefer rustic houses. Place along wooded areas or in old orchards.
|
| Downy Woodpecker |
4 x 4 |
8-10 |
6-8 |
1¼ |
6-20 |
Same as flicker. Rustic houses will probably be more acceptable.
|
| Wood Duck |
8 x 10 |
24 |
16 |
4 |
15 |
Place facing toward water. Add 4" of wood shavings. Provide drain holes in bottom.
|
*Two or more sides open.
Building suggestions:
Rough cedar or exterior plywood are good, durable building materials. Rough
wood should be used so young birds can climb out. Several ¼" ventilation
holes should be provided to prevent suffocation of young birds. Drill three
or four ¼" holes in the floor for drainage. Galvanized nails or brass
screws will not rust like ordinary nails. Clean and repair boxes at least
once every other year. Build so one side, front, top, or bottom can be
easily opened for cleaning.
General placement suggestions:
Boxes that face away from storms are more inviting to birds. Young birds
will not become trapped in boxes that tilt forward at the top. Placement
should prohibit predator access from above or below, including cats,
raccoons, snakes.
|
|
|
|
|
Click image for enlarged diagram of the Kestrel Nestbox.
|
|
|
|
|
|
