Build a Nest Box to Attract Birds 024-99 Barb Ogg, Extension Educator

In the springtime in Nebraska an inexpensive, simple, six-sided of each species’ mating ritual. For some birds, like robins, build an box. Whatever the design or some birds (woodpecker, owl, open nest, but others prefer nesting material used, the boxes must be chickadee, and duck families), a in cavities in decayed trees or strong, weatherproof, and securely layer of wood chips or shavings stumps. Cavity-dwelling birds, like fastened. (not saw- woodpeckers, chickadees, house Single-compartment nest dust) about wrens, and bluebirds, will substi- boxes are the easiest to build and 1-inch deep tute a nest box for a tree cavity. the most frequently used by birds. may be Natural nest sites have disappeared When you are building the box, be placed in the as weakened or dying trees are sure to allow easy access for bottom of removed from our landscape. cleaning and occasional observa- the box. Depending on other attributes in tions. You can use the same basic Drain- your landscape, providing an box design for all species (see the age and appropriately sized nest box may diagram). Table 1 gives the proper ventilation help attract some bird species to dimensions and hole sizes that are are impor- your yard. appropriate for different species. tant features Although elaborate designs for There is no need to put nest of a nest boxes are available, you can suc- material into the box in the spring box. Drill a few small holes just cessfully attract birds by building because lining the box is often part below the roof overhang and in the floor of the box near the walls.

Table 1. Dimensions for nest boxes for some species of birds found in Nebraska You can suspend the box from a tree, mount it on a pole, or attach Species Entrance Width of Height of Minimum On pole On pole hole floor wall height or tree or tree it to a building 3-ft below the roof. diameter panels panels above near in open Find a location that is protected (inch) (inch) (inch) ground (feet) shrubs areas from the sun for part of the day,

House Wren 1 4x4 6 5½ yes - and turn the entrance away from Chickadee 1¼ 4x4 5 5½ yes - the usual direction of wind and Nuthatch 1¼ 4x4 5 5½ yes - rain. Downy Woodpecker 1¼ 4x4 5 5½ yes - Protect your boxes from Eastern Bluebird 1½ 5¼ 10 6½ - yes predators. The most common House Sparrow 1½ 5¼ 10 6½ - yes predators are squirrels, raccoons Starling 2 5x5 12½ 9 - yes and cats—all of which are excel- Common Flicker 2½ 6x6 15 9 - yes lent climbers. Do not place a Screech Owl 3 8x8 17 14 - yes platform or perch below the en- American Kestral 3 8x8 17 14 - yes trance hole of the nest box because Wood Duck 3x4 oval 10x10 20 7 yes yes these structures provide a support for animals raiding the nest. Place parasites by sprinkling diatomaceous improve the chances of attracting a nest boxes on poles at least 15-ft earth in the nest box. This nontoxic nesting pair. away from trees and shrubs to stop substance scratches the outer cover- squirrels from jumping to the roof ing of many parasites, causing them to • Chickadees prefer their nest of the box. To prevent raccoons die of dehydration. It is completely boxes set close to shrubs or bushes. from raiding wood duck boxes, harmless to other life-forms. They will not tolerate any other make the entrance hole oval in chickadees in the vicinity of their shape and erect the pole in water Maintenance nest. near the shore. Protect boxes that Occasional and careful inspec- are placed on poles with a predator tion of the box during the nesting • Bluebirds may attempt a guard, such as a large inverted cone season will enable you to check on second nesting and would benefit or a 1-ft. strip of metal wrapped the progress of the babies. Do not from the chance to lay their next around the pole. A large clean inspect the box during the first five clutch in a second box. plastic bottle (e.g., a bleach con- days of incubation as the adults are tainer) with the bottom cut out and susceptible to disturbances during • Wood Ducks prefer a nest box nailed to the pole at the neck would this period and may abandon the near (or standing in) water. The young also work. nest. Carry out inspections as quickly leave the nest within 48 hours of Parasites, like lice and mites, as possible, preferably when the hatching by climbing up from the floor are common in most nests, and adults are away feeding. If any to the entrance hole and tumbling to the ground. Horizontal sawcuts or a Table 2. Information on nesting piece of hardware cloth stapled to the inside wall between the floor and the Species Number of Incubation period Age when the young eggs (days) leave the nest (days) entrance are essential for these in a clutch species. House Wren 6-8 13 12-18 Chickadee 6-8 12 16 Source: Nest Boxes for Birds, Nuthatch 5-9 12 18 Canadian Wildlife Service, http:// Downy Woodpecker 3-5 12 24 www.ec.gc.ca/cws-scf/hww-fap/ Eastern Bluebird 2-3 12 15-18 nestbox/nestbx.html. Another House Sparrow 10 14 12-14 excellent publication that gives Starling 10 12-14 16-18 diagrams of do-it-yourself bird Common Flicker 5 14-16 25-28 houses is Shelves Houses and Screech Owl 2-3 26 24-26 Feeders for Birds and Mammals, American Kestral 2-3 28 24-26 North Central Regional Publication Wood Duck 10-15 29 1-2 338. It is available for $4 from the their numbers increase as the season nestlings have died in the nest, it is extension office. For more specific progresses. Young birds usually leave best to remove them. Sometimes information about bluebird nesting, the nest before parasites become a predators will follow a human’s trail to contact Bluebirds across Nebraska; major problem. If weather and food find eggs and young in nest boxes. If P.O. Box 67157; Lincoln, NE conditions allow the adult pair to start you are worried about predators, 68506. (BPO) a second clutch, and the eggs are laid postpone your inspection until after in a box already infested with para- the nesting season. At the end of the sites, the young may not survive. nesting season, remove the nesting Providing a second box approxi- materials from the interior of the mately 15-20 ft away will give the nest box. birds an alternative nesting site that is Tips to improve the nesting free from parasites. Leave the of these species: second box closed until about two • Wrens like to build “dummy” weeks after the first eggs have nests before they choose one to lay hatched. You can help control eggs in. Provide more than one box to