Section 1: Building a nest box
Section 2: Dimesions for common species
Section 3: References
Many species of birds depend on cavities for breeding.
In
the natural environment, woodpeckers, burrowing insects and natural
decay
provide cavities for nesting. Human activities including deforestation,
pest management and the introduction of alien competitors like European
Starlings and House Sparrows have affected the supply of nesting
cavities.
We can build artificial cavities to improve the availability of nesting
space. This activity describes how you can build a simple, but
effective
birdbox, designed to attract bluebirds, chickadees, swallows and wrens.
One of the easiest ways to study birds is to observe them on the nest. One can go looking for nests in the wild and keep track of what happens from day to day or build nest sites and bring the observation to the comfort of a backyard. For more information on activities centered around nestboxes try the following sites:
North American Bluebird Society house plans
Materials: one 1" x 6" x 5' cedar fencing
The following is a list of common northwestern species and the approximate dimensions of their preferred cavity nest. Any hole diameter greater than 2 inches will attract starlings and squirrels. An aggressive campaign of evictions may be required.
Species 4code interior depth entrance placement
Bluebird, Western WEBL 5"x5" 8" 1.5" 5' to 10'
Chickadee, Bl-cap BCCH 4"x4" 8" to 10" 1.5" 5' to 15'
Chickadee, Chst-bck CBCH 4"x4" 8" to 10" 1.5" 5' to 15'
Flycatcher, Ash-thr ATFL 6"x6" 8" to 10" 2" 8' to 20'
Kestrel, American AMKE 8"x8" 12" to 15" 3" 10' to 30
Martin, Purple PUMA 7"x12" 6" 1.25"x2.75" 15' to 20'
Merganser, Hooded HOME 10.5"x10.5" 24" 3"(ellip.) 10' to 25'
Nuthatch, Pygmy PYNU 4"x4" 8" to 10" 1.5" 5' to 15'
Nuthatch, R-br RBNU 4"x4" 8" to 10" 1.5" 5' to 15'
Nuthatch, Wh-br WBNU 4"x4" 8" to 10" 1.5" 5' to 15'
Owl, Barn BNOW 10"x18" 15" to 12" 6" 12' to 18'
Owl, Saw-whet SWOW 6"x6" 10" to 12" 2.5" 12' to 20
Owl, W Screech WSOW 8"x8" 10' to 3" 10' to 30'
Phoebe, Black BLPH 6"x6" 8" to 10" open side 8' to 20'
Phoebe, Say's SAPH 6"x6" 8" to 10" open side 8' to 20'
Swallow, Tree TRES 5"x5" 6" 1.5" 10' to 15'
Swallow, Violet-gr VGSW 5"x5" 6" 1.5" 10' to 15'
Wood Duck WODU 10.5"x10.5" 24" 3"(ellip.) 10' to 25'
Wren, Bewick's BEWR 4"x4" 6" to 8" 1" 6' to 10'
Ehrlich, Paul R., David S Dobkin & Darryl Wheye. 1988. The
Birder's
Handbook.
Simon & Schuster, Inc. New York
Gooders, John & Scott Weidensaul. 1990. The Practical
Ornithologist.
Simon & Schuster, Inc.
New York
Harrison, George H. 1988. The Backyard Bird Watcher. Simon & Schuster, Inc. New York