Owl boxes provide artificial nesting sites for owls and can help attract them to a particular area. Placing and maintaining owl boxes takes some effort but can be very rewarding when owls take up residence.
What kind of owls will use a nest box?
Several species of owls in North America may use nest boxes, including:
- Eastern screech owl
- Western screech owl
- Northern saw-whet owl
- Boreal owl
- Northern pygmy owl
- Barn owl
- Great horned owl
- Barred owl
The most common species to use nest boxes are screech owls, saw-whet owls, and barn owls. Great horned owls and barred owls will also occasionally accept nest boxes.
Where should I place the owl box?
Proper placement is key to attracting owls to a nest box:
- Place boxes 10-30 feet high on trees, poles, or buildings.
- Choose a location with good cover from trees or foliage.
- Face the entrance away from prevailing winds and rain.
- Make sure there are perching sites nearby.
- Avoid areas frequented by house cats.
Owls prefer quiet, undisturbed sites near woods or forest edges. Having a source of water nearby, such as a creek, pond, or marsh can also help attract owls.
When is the best time to put up an owl box?
It’s best to install owl boxes in late fall or early winter, before breeding seasons gets underway. This gives owls enough time to find and acclimate to the nest box before egg laying begins.
Screech owls start nesting first, so having boxes up by mid-February can accommodate them. Boreal and saw-whet owls nest earlier in spring than many species, so having boxes up by March can help attract them.
What type of owl box works best?
Owl box designs can vary, but some key features include:
- At least 12 inches deep
- An entrance hole 8-10 inches across
- Wood roughly 1-2 inches thick
- No perch or platform outside the hole
- Sawdust or wood shavings inside
- drainage holes in the bottom if mounted on a pole
Barn owl boxes are often wider and mounted on poles or buildings. Screech owl boxes are smaller and made for mounting on trees.
Recommended box dimensions for common owl species:
Species | Inside Depth | Inside Width | Inside Height | Entrance Hole Size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Screech Owl | 12-15 inches | 8-10 inches | 8-12 inches | 3-4 inches |
Western Screech Owl | 12-15 inches | 8-10 inches | 8-12 inches | 3-4 inches |
Northern Saw-whet Owl | 12-15 inches | 8-10 inches | 8-12 inches | 3-4 inches |
Barn Owl | 15-18 inches | 12-18 inches | 12-18 inches | 6-8 inches |
What maintenance is required?
Regular maintenance can help keep owl boxes sanitary and appealing for owls:
- Clean boxes out after winter before the breeding season.
- Remove old nesting materials and debris.
- Add new wood shavings or sawdust.
- Make any minor repairs as needed.
- Apply fresh water sealant or exterior stains periodically.
Avoid cleaning or disturbing active nests during breeding season. Let the owls raise their young before doing maintenance.
How can I monitor the owl box?
Here are some tips for monitoring your owl box with minimal disturbance:
- Use a ladder or pole camera to peak inside the entrance.
- Listen for owls calling near the box at dawn and dusk.
- Look for molted feathers, prey remains, or whitewash near the box.
- Observe the box from a distance for signs of activity.
- Mark your calendar for expected hatching and fledging dates.
Avoid approaching too closely or tapping on occupied boxes. This can scare off nesting owls or cause them to abandon the box.
How can I increase occupancy?
If your owl box remains unoccupied, here are some tips that may help attract owls:
- Add more boxes within the territory to provide options.
- Move the box to a location with better cover or more prey.
- Modify the box design for the target owl species.
- Clean and refresh the interior of the box.
- Use owl calls and decoys early in the season to attract owls.
- Provide perches and cover for roosting nearby.
- Be patient, as owls may take a few seasons to find a new box.
Tips to encourage screech owls:
- Place boxes low, 6-15 feet up in trees.
- Add bark edges around the entrance hole.
- Line the bottom with substrate like wood chips.
Tips for barn owls:
- Mount boxes at least 12 feet high on poles or buildings.
- Make sure entrances are clear and wide.
- Consider paired boxes spaced 2-10 feet apart.
Can I help owls while they nest?
Here are a few tips for assisting nesting owls:
- Avoid nest boxes during breeding season.
- Let the owls raise chicks undisturbed.
- Reduce rodenticide use where owls hunt.
- Put up owl caution signs to limit disturbances.
- Install predator guards to prevent raids by hawks.
- Supplement food if natural prey looks scarce.
Providing proper nest sites is the best long-term support for owl populations. Habitat preservation and pesticide reduction also helps owls thrive.
Conclusion
Attracting owls to nest boxes takes patience and proper placement. But putting in the effort provides excellent opportunities to observe these mysterious nocturnal raptors up close. Watching owls raise a family in the box you provided is an incredibly rewarding experience for any nature lover. With appropriate maintenance and monitoring, installed owl boxes can support local owl populations for many seasons to come.