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That Nest in BirdhousesBoreal Owl
(Tengmalm’s Owl)
Aegolius funereus
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Aegolius
Species: funereus
La. strix owl
La. strigis owl
La. forma form, shape, kind
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. aigolios bird of ill omen
La. aegolius night bird of prey
La. funus funeral
La. funereus deadly, mortal, fatal
About ten inches long with almost a two foot wingspan. Mostly pale facial disks with dark border.
Dark brown upper parts with large white spots. Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks. Yellow eyes. The Boreal Owl is most likely to be confused with the smaller Northern Saw-whet Owl but lacks brown in the face, has a pale bill, a dark border to the face and darker brown upper parts.
Boreal owls range circumpolar and inhabit coniferous and mixed hardwood forests in northern Europe, northern Asia, Alaska, and Canada. They are most common in spruce or pine woods, although it is regularly found nesting in aspen in Minnesota.
The first report of its nesting in the lower 48 states came from Minnesota in 1978. Since then a breeding population has been found in northeast Minnesota and local populations reported in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Washington.
Boreal owls are night hunters of small mammals and lesser quantities of birds. They commonly perch in low tree branches and watch for passing prey.
Boreal owls nest in abandoned or natural cavities usually in coniferous trees, sometimes aspen. They also readily nest in the right size birdhouses in the right places.
Females lay three to six eggs and do most of the incubation while males forage. Eggs hatch after about four weeks incubation and young leave the nest in about another four or five weeks.
The Boreal Owl Nest Box has a 7″ by 7″ floor, 16″ inside floor to ceiling, a 2 1/2″ tall by 4 1/2″ wide entrance hole located 14″ above the floor and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof.
Assemble with corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes to reduce wood splitting.
A hinged roof can be secured with shutter hooks for easy access at significant heights, or a fixed roof and a Side Opening Door may be a more convenient and safer alternative.
Mount 10 feet or higher near woodland edges or clearings. Place a bed of wood chips on the floor, not saw dust which may retain moisture and mold growth.
Installations at significant heights should be installed by professionals, carpenters, electricians, power line workers, etc.
Boreal Owl Nest Box
View/Print Plans
Although it is good practice to remove nests and clean boxes well after the brood rearing season is past, one might weigh the increased risks working at heights additional time(s) beyond the initial installation. Consider leaving the box, at least until a qualified trades worker is available.
Boreal Owl
(Tengmalm’s Owl)
Aegolius funereus
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Aegolius
Species: funereus
La. strix owl
La. strigis owl
La. forma form, shape, kind
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. aigolios bird of ill omen
La. aegolius night bird of prey
La. funus funeral
La. funereus deadly, mortal, fatal
About ten inches long with almost a two foot wingspan. Mostly pale facial disks with dark border.
Dark brown upper parts with large white spots. Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks. Yellow eyes. The Boreal Owl is most likely to be confused with the smaller Northern Saw-whet Owl but lacks brown in the face, has a pale bill, a dark border to the face and darker brown upper parts.
Boreal owls range circumpolar and inhabit coniferous and mixed hardwood forests in northern Europe, northern Asia, Alaska, and Canada. They are most common in spruce or pine woods, although it is regularly found nesting in aspen in Minnesota.
The first report of its nesting in the lower 48 states came from Minnesota in 1978. Since then a breeding population has been found in northeast Minnesota and local populations reported in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Washington.
The first report of its nesting in the lower 48 states came from Minnesota in 1978. Since then a breeding population has been found in northeast Minnesota and local populations reported in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Washington.
Boreal owls are night hunters of small mammals and lesser quantities of birds. They commonly perch in low tree branches and watch for passing prey.
Boreal owls nest in abandoned or natural cavities usually in coniferous trees, sometimes aspen. They also readily nest in the right size birdhouses in the right places.
Females lay three to six eggs and do most of the incubation while males forage. Eggs hatch after about four weeks incubation and young leave the nest in about another four or five weeks.
The Boreal Owl Nest Box has a 7″ by 7″ floor, 16″ inside floor to ceiling, a 2 1/2″ tall by 4 1/2″ wide entrance hole located 14″ above the floor and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof.
Assemble with corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes to reduce wood splitting.
A hinged roof can be secured with shutter hooks for easy access at significant heights, or a fixed roof and Side Opening Doors may be a more convenient and safer alternative.
Mount 10 feet or higher near woodland edges or clearings. Place a bed of wood chips on the floor, not saw dust which may retain moisture and mold growth.
Installations at significant heights should be installed and maintained by professionals, carpenters, electricians, power line workers, etc.
Boreal Owl Nest Box
Boreal Owl Nest Box Plans
Although it is good practice to remove nests and clean boxes well after the brood rearing season is past, one might weigh the increased risks working at heights additional time(s) beyond the initial installation. Consider leaving the box, at least until a qualified trades worker is available.
Boreal Owl
(Tengmalm’s Owl)
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home
Aegolius funereus
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Aegolius
Species: funereus
La. strix owl
La. strigis owl
La. forma form, shape, kind
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. aigolios bird of ill omen
La. aegolius night bird of prey
La. funus funeral
La. funereus deadly, mortal, fatal
About ten inches long with almost a two foot wingspan. Mostly pale facial disks with dark border. Dark brown upper parts with large white spots. Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks. Yellow eyes.
The Boreal Owl is most likely to be confused with the smaller Northern Saw-whet Owl but lacks brown in the face, has a pale bill, a dark border to the face and darker brown upper parts.
Boreal owls range circumpolar and inhabit coniferous and mixed hardwood forests in northern Europe, northern Asia, Alaska, and Canada. They are most common in spruce or pine woods, although it is regularly found nesting in aspen in Minnesota.
The first report of its nesting in the lower 48 states came from Minnesota in 1978. Since then a breeding population has been found in northeast Minnesota and local populations reported in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Washington.
Boreal owls are night hunters of small mammals and lesser quantities of birds. They commonly perch in low tree branches and watch for passing prey.
Boreal owls nest in abandoned or natural cavities usually in coniferous trees, sometimes aspen. They also readily nest in the right size birdhouses in the right places.
Females lay three to six eggs and do most of the incubation while males forage. Eggs hatch after about four weeks incubation and young leave the nest in about another four or five weeks.
Boreal Owl Nest Box
The Boreal Owl Nest Box has a 7″ by 7″ floor, 16″ inside floor to ceiling, a 2 1/2″ tall by 4 1/2″ wide entrance hole located 14″ above the floor and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof.
Use wood stock that is rough cut on both sides for grip.
Drill countersunk pilot holes in primary work pieces and regular pilot holes in secondary work pieces to reduce wood splitting.
Boreal Owl Nest Box Plans
Assemble with corrosion resistant screws.
A hinged roof can be secured with shutter hooks for easy access at heights. Or a fixed roof and Side Opening Doors may be a more convenient and safer alternative.
Mount 10 feet or higher near woodland edges or clearings. Place a bed of wood chips on the floor, not saw dust which may retain moisture and mold growth.
Installations at significant heights should be installed and maintained by professionals, carpenters, electricians, power line workers, etc.
Although it is good practice to remove nests and clean boxes well after the brood rearing season is past, one might weigh the increased risks working at heights additional time(s) beyond the initial installation. Consider leaving the box, at least until a qualified trades worker is available.
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