Your Florida Backyard NSiS Home Page Your Florida Backyard Nest Boxes
Birds that nest in cavities may use nest boxes. Some are primary cavity nesters, such as woodpeckers, who chisel out cavities. Others are secondary cavity nesters, using natural cavities and those created by other species.
 
Predator-proofing | Species Tips | Plans | Dimensions

*Good Construction
 
The wood is 3/4" thick, untreated, unfinished, and weather-resistant such as cypress or redwood.
 
The wood is rough-cut or grooves have been cut on the inside of the front to help the young climb out.
 
The entrance hole is the proper size and height.
 
There are tiny drainage holes in the floor.
 
There is no perch (see predator-proofing).
 
There are holes drilled near the tops of the sides, or a small gap between the roof and sides to provide ventilation.
 
A sloping roof slightly larger than the nest box will help keep it dry.
 
A hinged roof or side makes it easier to clean the nest box when the occupants move on.
 
*Predator-proofing Tips
 
Do not add a perch -- it will assist predators.
 
A squirrel baffle or length of 4-5" diameter pipe attached just below the nest box will help deter cats and raccoons if the nest box is pole-mounted.
 
A strip of galvanized metal 3 feet wide wrapped around the trunk will help protect tree-mounted nest boxes.
 
A 3" long tube of plastic or hardware cloth can be attached to the entrance hole.
 
A metal guard placed around the entrance hole will prevent squirrels from enlarging it.
 
*Species Tips
 
Territorial limits usually apply only to birds of the same species. Some will defend their territories against species with similar resource requirements.
 
Bluebird nest boxes should be placed on a post facing an open area. They have suffered seriously from habitat destruction and competition from starlings and house sparrows. The North American Bluebird Society has specific information on how to help.
 
Duck nest boxes need predator guards. Place 2-4" of sawdust in the bottom to cushion the eggs.
 
Kestrel nest boxes should be placed at the edges of open areas.
 
Nest boxes or shelves for Barn Owls can be placed inside buildings or outside high under the eaves.
 
Screech Owls prefer nest boxes in open woods or facing an open area.
 
Nest boxes for Woodpeckers need 3-4" of sawdust in the bottom to cushion the eggs.
Good Construction | Predator-proofing | Species Tips | Dimensions

*Plans
 
A simple nest box can be built from a length of 3/4" thick lumber. The diagram below shows how a 4-foot length of 1" x 6" lumber (it's sold as 6" but is actually 5.5" wide) to make a nest box with a 4" x 4" floor:
 
nest box from a 48-inch length of 1x6-inch lumber
Similarly, a 6" x 6" nest box can be made from a 1" x 8", an 8" x 8" nest box can be cut from a 1" x 10", and a 10" x 10" nest box can be cut from a 1" x 12".
 
Once the lumber is cut, prepare each piece:
Drill holes near the tops of the sides for ventilation, in the floor for drainage, and an inch from the top of the back for mounting.
If you're going to mount the box on a pole, drill two holes in the middle of the back to run wire through.
Cut the entrance hole.
Using a chisel or drill, make some horizontal grooves on the inside of the front below the entrance hole to serve as a "ladder" for the young when it's time for them to climb out.
 
Now you're ready to assemble the parts:
Nail the sides to the back. On one side, drive the nail 7-7.5" from the bottom -- so it will be even with the top nail holding the front to the side. This creates a hinge so the side can be opened.
Attach the front and the roof.
Attach the floor using a screw on the hinged side.
If there is a gap where the roof meets the back, tack a piece of leather or glue a dowel over the seam.
Good Construction | Predator-proofing | Species Tips | Plans

*Dimensions
 
The most important dimension is the size of the entrance hole. It is also important that the entrance hole be the proper height from the floor. This serves two purposes: it keeps the young in and makes it more difficult for predators to get to the eggs or young.
 
Check the species tips for specific needs of the birds you hope to attract.
 
Nest Box Dimensions
All dimensions in inches except placement which is in feet
Placement: building, pole or post, tree
BirdFloorDepthEntry
Size
Height
of Entry
PlacementTerritory
Brown-headed
  Nuthatch
4" x 4"8"1.25"6" 5-15' 
 pole/tree 
?
Carolina
   Chickadee
4" x 4"8"1.25"6" 5-15' 
 pole/tree 
10
acres
Carolina Wren4" x 4"8"1.25"6" 6-10' 
 bldg/pole/tree 
.5-1
acres
Prothonotary
   Warbler
4" x 4"8"1.25"6"  4-6' 
 pole/tree 
2
acres
White-breasted
  Nuthatch
4" x 4"8"1.25"6" 5-15' 
 pole/tree 
25-45
acres
Tufted Titmouse4" x 4"8"1.25"6" 5-15' 
 pole/tree 
2-5
acres
Downy
   Woodpecker
4" x 4"10"1.25"8" 6-20' 
 tree 
.25
acres
Bluebird5" x 5"8"1.5"6" 5-10' 
 pole  
100
yards
Hairy
   Woodpecker
5" x 5"12"2"10" 6-20' 
 bldg/pole/tree 
.25
acres
Great Crested
   Flycatcher
6" x 6"10"2"6" 8-20' 
 pole/tree 
?
Purple Martin6" x 6"6"2-2.25"1-2"10-20' 
 pole  
 nest 
 entrance 
Red-bellied
   Woodpecker
6" x 6"15"2"9" 8-20' 
 bldg/pole/tree 
3-4
acres
Red-headed
   Woodpecker
6" x 6"15"2"9" 8-20' 
 bldg/pole/tree 
1-2
acres
Northern Flicker7" x 7"18"2.5"14" 8-20' 
 pole/tree 
 nest 
 site 
American Kestrel8" x 8"15"3"12"15-30' 
 pole/tree 
250
acres
Hooded
   Merganser
10" x 10"24"3" high x
4" wide
20" 15-25' (land) 
 5-25' (water) 
?
Wood Duck10" x 10"24" 3" high x 
4" wide
20"15'-25' (land)
5'-25' (water)
 nest 
 site 
Screech Owl10" x 10"24"3" high x
4" wide
20"10-30' 
 bldg/pole/tree 
 nest 
 site 
Barn Owl12" x 12" 25-28" 7" x 7"12-16"10-30' 
bldg/tree 
 nest 
 site 
Barred Owl12" x 12"25-28"7" x 7"12-16"10-30' 
 pole/tree   
1 square
mile

Good Construction | Predator-proofing | Species Tips | Plans | Dimensions

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