So, you want to place a nest box?

Good for you! Natural cavity nests are in short supply due to competition from invasive species such as European Starlings. It’s not hard to place a nesting box. But there are some specifics for each species.

American Kestrel

Farm fields, pastures, meadows and orchards are great for Kestrels. Place the box on solitary trees in a field or in a tree along a forested edge. Hole should face south or east.

  • Hole Size: 3 in.
  • Mounting height: 10 to 30 ft.
  • Min. spacing between houses: Half mile

Barn Owl

Barn owls like fields and marshes where rodents dwell and that are also near manmade structures. Hole should face south or east.

  • Hole Size: Elliptical: 3 ¾ in. x 4 ½ in. 
  • Mounting Height: 8 to 25 ft.
  • Min. space between houses: 100 ft.

Eastern Screech Owl

Mount on a tree near forest edges, clearings or near wooded streams. Hole should face south or east.

  • Hole size: 3 in.
  • Mounting Height: 10 to 30 ft.
  • Min. space between houses: 100 ft.

Black-capped Chickadees

Backyards with hardwood trees or forested edges work just fine as a habitat. Just make sure the area receives 40% to 60% sunlight. Hole should face south or east.

  • Hole size: 1 1/8 in.
  • Mounting Height: 5 to 15 ft.
  • Min. space between houses: 650 ft.

Carolina Wren

Place the house near backyard gardens, trees or tall bushes/ shrubs. Hole should face south or east.

  • Hole size: 1 ½ in.
  • Mounting Height: 3 to 6 ft.
  • Min. space between houses: 330 ft.

Eastern Bluebird

Mount near an open field or lawn with scrubby, waist high vegetation nearby. Make sure the hole opens to the field or lawn and that the hold does not provide a view of another nesting box. Do not place nesting box deep into thickly wooded areas.

  • Hole size: 1 ½ in.
  • Mounting Height: 3 to 6 ft.
  • Min. space between houses: 300 ft.

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