Grit – September 01, 2019

FROM

LEF
T:^ B

RAD^
AND
ERSO

N^ ILL

USTR

ATIO
N;^ C

ORNE

LL^ L
AB^ O

F^ OR

NITHO

LOGY

21

Nest Boxes for

Cavity Nesters

Approximately 85 species of North American

birds will only nest in cavities, and for many

of them, nest boxes can meet this need.

In nature, cavities form in damaged or

dead trees, either from decay or woodpecker

activity. You can also find cavities in rocks

that have been shaped by erosion. But if you

don’t have any dead trees or rocky crevices,

you can install simple nest boxes to attract

more nesting birds. Nesting cavities are

particularly limited in open habitats where

trees are scarce, which is why some species,

such as bluebirds and American kestrels,

may inspect a new birdhouse the day it’s

installed. Even in forests with many old trees

and plenty of cavities, nest boxes can still be

valuable, particularly larger ones designed

for owls and ducks, which are challenged

with finding tree holes big enough to contain

their larger nests.

This nest box plan will accommodate the

smallest falcon, the American kestrel.

To find other free nest box plans that will

attract other species in different habitat

types, search the Cornell Lab of Ornithol-

ogy’s “Right Bird, Right House” tool online

at http://www.NestWatch.org. You can monitor

your nest boxes and report the activity to

NestWatch, the Lab’s citizen-science project

to track the nesting success of birds across

the country.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

■ Use raw pine or cedar. Don’t paint or

treat with a wood preservative.

■ An outside perch isn’t necessary and

may attract other species to the box.

You can add a perch inside (using cutout

from entrance) about 3 inches below

entrance hole.

■ Use 1^5 ⁄ 8 -inch galvanized deck screws

for the box.

■ Place 2 inches of coarse wood shavings

(not sawdust) in bottom of box each year

before nesting season.

Nest Box Plans

http://www.Grit.com

113 ⁄ 4 ”

24 ”

113 ⁄ 4 "

Front View of Box

24 "

4 "

4 "

TOP

BOTTOM

Nail holes for mounting

3 " hole, with top

of hole 3" down

from top of box

24 "

Side View with Door

4 "

Space for

ventilation:

(^3) ⁄ 8 " between side
& top of box.
TOP
16 "
4 "
10 "
BOTTOM
Screws, for side
opening hinges
Knob to open door
Scaffold nail to
hold door shut.
Drill through face
into door. Coat
with petroleum
jelly to prevent
rusting.
14 "
TOP
Side View of Box
Bottom of Box
Bottom is inset into sides of box
SOLID SIDE
BOTTOM
16 "
14 "
4 "
4 "
10 "
Drain holes
(cut corners off bottom)
10 "
4 "