Nest Box Dimensions
Many cavity nesting birds prefer certain specifications in their nesting sites. - size of nest box
- how tall the box is
- how high the entrance hole is from the bottom of the box
- the size of the entrance hole
- and high high up from the ground the box is placed
Some of these specifications are to help guard against predators. Others are to keep invasive species such as Starlings or House Sparrows form taking over a nest box.
These guidelines are useful for making nest boxes but for buying nest boxes, too.
And remember, not all birds will nest in a box. Only the birds that naturally nest in tree cavity or other enclosed spaces will.
| Nest Box Dimensions | Species | Box floor (inches) | Box height (inches) | Entrance height (inches) | Entrance (inches) | Placement
diameter height
(feet) | | American Robin* | 7 x 8 | 8 | -- | -- | | | Eastern & Western Bluebirds | 5 x 5 | 8 - 12 | 6 - 10 | 1 ½ | 4 - 6 | Mountain Bluebirds | 5 x 5 | 8 - 12 | 6 - 10 | 1 ½ | 4 - 6 | | Chickadee | 4 x 4 | 8 - 10 | 6 - 8 | 1 1/8 | 4 - 15 | | Titmouse | 4 x 4 | 10 - 12 | 6 - 10 | 1 ¼ | 5 - 15 | | Ash-throated Flycatcher | 6 x 6 | 8 - 12 | 6 - 10 | 1 ½ | 5 - 15 | | Great CrestedFlycatcher | 6 x 6 | 8 - 12 | 6 - 10 | 1 ¾ | 5 - 15 | | Phoebe* | 6 x 6 | 6 | -- | -- | 8 - 12 | | Brown-headed/Pygmy/Red-breasted Nuthatch | 4 x 4 | 8 - 10 | 6 - 8 | 1 ¼ | 5 - 15 | | White-breasted Nuthatch | 4 x 4 | 8 - 10 | 6 - 8 | 1 3/8 | 5 - 15 | | Prothonotary Warbler | 5 x 5 | 6 | 4 - 5 | 1 1/8 | 4 - 8 | | Barn Swallow* | 6 x 6 | 6 | -- | -- | 8 - 12 | | Purple Martin | 6 x 6 | 6 | 1 - 2 | 2 ¼ | 6 - 20 | | Tree and Violet-green Swallows | 5 x 5 | 6 - 8 | 4 - 6 | 1 ½ | 5 - 15 |
*Use nesting shelf, platform with three sides and an open front | | | | |
Nest Box Dimensions | | Species | Box floor (inches) | Box height (inches) | Entrance height (inches) | Entrance (inches) | Placement
diameter height
(feet) | | Downy Woodpecker | 4 x 4 | 8 - 10 | 6 - 8 | 1 ¼ | 5 - 15 | Hairy Woodpecker | 6 x 6 | 12 - 15 | 9 - 12 | 1 ½ | 8 - 20 | | Lewis's Woodpecker | 7 x 7 | 16 - 18 | 14 - 16 | 2 ½ | 12 - 20 | | Northern Flicker | 7 x 7 | 16 - 18 | 14 - 16 | 2 ½ | 6 - 20 | | Pileated Woodpecker | 8 x 8 | 16 - 24 | 12 - 20 | 3 x 4 | 15 - 25 | | Red-Headed Woodpecker | 6 x 6 | 12 - 15 | 9 - 12 | 2 | 10 - 20 | | Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | 5 x 5 | 12 - 15 | 9 - 12 | 1 ½ | 10 - 20 | | Bewick's/House Wrens | 4 x 4 | 6 - 8 | 4 - 6 | 1 ¼ | 5 - 10 | | Carolina Wrens | 4 x 4 | 6 - 8 | 4 - 6 | 1 ½ | 5 - 10 | | Barn Owl | 10 x 18 | 15 - 18 | 4 | 6 | 12 - 18 | | Screech-Owl and Kestrel | 8 x 8 | 12 - 15 | 9 - 12 | 3 | 4 - 8 | | Osprey | 48 x 48 (platform) | | | | 10 - 30 | | Red-tailed Hawk/Great Horned Owl | 24 x 24 platform | | | | | | Wood Duck | 10 x 18 | 10 - 24 | 12 - 16 | 4 | 10 - 20 |
*Use nesting shelf, platform with three sides and an open front | | | | |
Of, course you can buy a bird house from The Sunflower Naturalist Store.
More information on attracting birds
attracting birds
bird feeding questions
bird feeder food
snags
Building Nest Structures - pdf to download
Make a gourd bird house - pdf to download
Return to Birds from Nest Box Dimensions
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