70birds

That Nest in Birdhouses

70birds

That Nest in Birdhouses

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70birds

That Nest in Birdhouses

See each species page for habits, geographic ranges and optimum locations and placement.

Some bird species are more easily attracted to bird houses than other bird species.

More than 70 North American bird species live in nest boxes or on platforms.

See which birds live near you. Learn about those birds and how to make birdhouses for them.

Even cities have large bird populations that live in birdhouses.

See City Birds

For increased ventilation in warmer climates, floor and side panel corner gaps can be larger than plans specify.

Some woodworkers may prefer to drill strategically located holes for ventilation and leave floor panels whole.

Hinges are suggested for easy access. Other methods for attaching roofs are just as good. However, most nest boxes are mounted out of reach for most people.

Birdhouse mounting, monitoring and maintenance on ladders are awkward chores that require “three hands”. Convenience increases safety when working at heights.

You shouldn’t have to pay for any wood if you keep your eyes peeled. Watch for wood scrap piles at fence and home construction sites. These are good sources for the small sizes usually needed for bird houses.

Clean and disinfect nest boxes with a 5% bleach and 95% water mix after the brooding season to prevent spread of disease and parasites. Use rubber gloves, eye protection, spray bottles, and sponges to completely saturate nest box interiors.

Raptors that Nest in Boxes & Platforms

Nine owl species, two falcons, a hawk and ospreys nest in boxes or platforms. See their geographic ranges, their habitats, nesting habits, birdhouse plans and where to install them.

Wrens | Chickadees | Nuthatches | Woodpeckers | Robins & Platform Nesters

Great Horned Owl

Great horned owls build nests high in trees (as high as 100 feet) of sticks, twigs, bark and feathers in cavities, cliff ledges, other hawk or eagle nests and will also nest on specially made platforms. Visit the great horned owl nesting platform page and view or print the platform plans.

Barred Owl

Barred owls hoot with an almost human like deep-toned voice. They often respond to an imitation of their call, try it. They nest in natural or abandoned tree cavities, abandoned crow or hawk nests and will also nest in birdhouses. See the barred owl nest box page and view or print nest box plans.

Eastern Screech Owl

Screech owls prey on mice, insects, frogs, snakes, lizards, crayfish and fish. They nest in natural or abandoned tree cavities, sometimes in barns, sheds and in nest boxes. Visit the eastern screech owl nest box page and view or print nest box plans.

Western Screech Owl

If you fear the dark, you will certainly appreciate the screech owl’s eerie, shivering nighttime wail. They nest in tree cavities, on rocky ledges, in farm sheds and in birdhouses. Visit the Western Screech Owl nest box page and view or print nest box plans.

Pygmy Owl

Unlike other owls, pygmy owls are day hunters of small birds, rodents, reptiles and insects. They build nests in natural or abandoned tree cavities up to seventy five feet high and in nest boxes. Visit the pygmy owl nest box page and print nest box plans.

Boreal Owl

Boreal owls are night hunters of small mammals and lesser quantities of birds. They nest in tree cavities and will also nest in birdhouses. Visit the boreal owl nest box page and view or print nest box plans.

Hawk Owl

Has hawk like habits. Eats grouse, rodents, and insects. Hawk owls build nests in evergreen trees, in natural and abandoned tree cavities, sometimes in old hawk nests and in bird boxes too. Visit the hawk owl’s nest box page and view or print nest box plans.

Visit the species information page for saw-whet owl

Saw-whet Owls

Forages for beetles, ants, and grasshoppers, corn, acorns, berries and other wild fruit. Builds nests in cavities it excavates in trees, telephone poles, or fence posts and also nests in birdhouses. See the saw-whet owl nest box page and view or print nest box plans.

Barn Owl

Barn owls eat mice, rats and other mammals, insects, frogs, some birds, rarely poultry. They nest in tree hollows, deserted buildings, barns, boat wrecks, church towers, holes in banks, even holes in the open prairies. They also nest in large boxes in the right place.

American Kestrel

The American kestrel builds no nest. It deposits its eggs in the natural or abandoned cavities of high trees and deserted magpie nests. Or in rock crevices and stone quarries and holes high in river banks. Near people in nooks of farm buildings and in cities in tall buildings like church steeples. They will also nest in the right size nest box in the right place. Visit the American kestrel nest box page and view or print the birdhouse plans.

Peregrine Falcon

In the wild, peregrine falcons have generally nested on high, cliff edges, usually under some kind of overhang. They scrape out an area but add no nesting materials. In recent times, increasing numbers of peregrines nest on tall buildings, bridges and other structures in cities. Sometimes their nests on buildings are assisted by experts which may require training, qualification and licensing. These activities are generally regulated by Federal and State law.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed hawks build nests high in trees, often more than 50 feet high. They use large sticks lined with smaller twigs, strips of bark, and its own feathers. Sometimes use a nest for many years. Sometimes red-tailed hawks will nest on a high mounted platform made especially for them. Visit the owl-hawk-osprey nesting platform page and view or print the nesting platform plans.

Osprey

Ospreys build huge nests, often near other Osprey nests. They use large sticks, bones, seaweed, other bird nests and even old shoes. They nest in trees from ten to seventy five feet high, on the ground in colonies on isolated islands, and in parks and refuges. Residents of many towns accommodate ospreys with platforms. Visit the owl-hawk-osprey nesting platform page and view or print the platform plans.

Raptors that Nest in Boxes & Platforms

Nine owl species, two falcons, a hawk and ospreys nest in boxes or platforms. See their geographic ranges, their habitats, birdhouse plans and where to install them.

Wrens | Chickadees | Nuthatches | Woodpeckers | Robins & Platform Nesters

Great Horned Owl

Barred Owl

Eastern Screech Owl

Western Screech Owl

Pygmy Owl

Boreal Owl

Hawk Owl

Saw-whet Owls

Barn Owl

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Red-tailed Hawk

Osprey

Nest Boxes & Platforms

Building and installing nest boxes or large tall platforms involve dangerous heights and potential for serious injuries. Only professional trades workers should attempt these projects.

Barred Owl Nest Box

Great Horned Owl Platform, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey

Screech Owls & Kestrel

Pygmy & Saw-whet Owls

Boreal Owl Nest Box

Hawk Owl Nest Box

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Raptors that Nest
in Boxes & Platforms

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Nine owl species, two falcons, a hawk and ospreys nest in boxes or platforms.

Great Horned Owl

Barred Owl

Eastern Screech Owl

Screech owls prey on mice, insects, frogs, snakes, lizards, crayfish and fish. They nest in natural or abandoned tree cavities, sometimes in barns, sheds and in nest boxes.

Western Screech Owl

If you fear of the dark, you will certainly appreciate the screech owl’s eerie, shivering nighttime wail. They nest in tree cavities, on rocky ledges, in farm sheds and in birdhouses.

Pygmy Owl

Unlike other owls, pygmy owls are day hunters of small birds, rodents, reptiles and insects. They build nests in natural or abandoned tree cavities up to seventy five feet high and in nest boxes.

Boreal Owl

Boreal owls are night hunters of small mammals and lesser quantities of birds. They nest in tree cavities and will also nest in birdhouses.

Hawk Owl

Has hawk like habits. Eats grouse, rodents, and insects. Hawk owls build nests in evergreen trees, tree hollows, in natural and abandoned tree cavities, sometimes in old hawk nests and in bird boxes too.

Saw-whet Owls

Forages for beetles, ants, and grasshoppers, corn, acorns, berries and other wild fruit. Builds nests in cavities it excavates in trees, telephone poles, or fence posts and also nests in birdhouses.

Barn Owl

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

In the wild, peregrine falcons have generally nested on high, cliff edges, usually under some kind of overhang.

They scrape out an area but add no nesting materials. In recent times, increasing numbers of peregrines nest on tall buildings, bridges and other structures in cities.

Sometimes their nests on buildings are assisted by experts which may require training, qualification and licensing. These activities are generally regulated by Federal and State law.

Red-tailed Hawk

Osprey

Nest Boxes & Platforms

Building and installing nest boxes or large tall platforms involve dangerous heights and potential for serious injuries. Only professional trades workers should attempt these projects.

Barred Owl Nest Box