artifical nesting

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July 2008 Fish and Wildlie Habitat Management Leafet Number 2

Articial Nesting Structures

1988WHC

WILDLIFE HABITAT COUNCILSM

Introduction

Articial nesting structures can be used to increase

wildlie reproductive success in areas where natural

nest sites are unavailable or unsuitable. Although ar-

ticial nesting structures cannot replace natural nest-

ing habitats, they can increase the number o nesting

sites available in an area.

Many types o wildlie, including songbirds, wood-peckers, waterowl, raptors, squirrels, and bats, use

articial nesting structures. While structures are gen-

erally designed to meet the nesting requirements o

certain species, they may also be used by nontarget

animals and provide roosting and winter cover or a

variety o birds and mammals. Nest boxes, bat hous-

es, nesting platorms or shelves, nesting baskets, cul-

verts, and cylinders are some o the common types o

articial nesting structures.

The most eective articial nesting structures are

those installed in close proximity to brood-rearing

habitat, adequate escape/concealment cover, a reli-

able source o ood and water, and other elements o

the habitat o target species. Predators, competitors,

and territory sizes or individual species also infu-

ence the useulness o nesting structures. Nest moni-

toring and maintenance actions can be taken to limit

competing or undesirable species, assess reproduc-

tive success, and provide an opportunity or landown-

ers and managers to observe wildlie.

This leafet is designed as an introduction to the use

o articial nesting structures to enhance wildlie hab-

itats. When incorporated into comprehensive habitatmanagement plans, articial nesting structures can in-

crease wildlie use in many areas. The success o any

management strategy depends on targeting the habi-

tat needs o the desired wildlie species, and assessing

managed areas to ensure that the required habitat ele-

ments are present. Landowners and managers should

be amiliar with ederally and State-listed rare, threat-

ened, or endangered plant and animal species

to ensure their protection. Involvement o wildlie

proessionals in the identication o habitat manage-

ment objectives and actions is encouraged.

Cavity-nesting wildlie

Birds and mammals that nest in tree cavities are like-

ly to use nest boxes. Primary cavity-nesting species,

such as members o the woodpecker amily, excavate

nesting cavities in live or standing dead trees (snags).

Secondary cavity nesters (some passerine or perch-

ing birds, owls, waterowl, and mammals) use cavities

abandoned by primary excavators and those ormed

by ungus, knots, and trees subject to decay. The pres-

ence o snags in orested areas is directly related to

the quality and quantity o nesting habitat or many

cavity-nesting species. Fity-ve species o cavity-

nesting birds in North America use snags, and inver-tebrates inhabiting the dead wood provide a rich ood

source. Optimal nesting opportunities or cavity-nest-

ing wildlie are typically ound on orested tracts that

contain 10 to 12 small (12-inch dbh) standing

dead trees per acre. Sloughing bark on snags is also

used by roosting bats. Table 1 provides a list o North

American cavity-nesting birds. Table 2 provides a list

o North American cavity-nesting mammals.

Tree swallows using natural cavities and articial nest

boxes.

USFWS


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Artifcial Nesting Structures

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Primary (excavator) Secondary (nonexcavator) Secondary (nonexcavator)

Northern ficker * Black-bellied whistling duck * Violet-green swallow *

Pileated woodpecker * Wood duck * Tree swallow *

Red-bellied woodpecker Common goldeneye * Purple martin *

Gila woodpecker Barrows goldeneye * Black-capped chickadee *Red-headed woodpecker Bufehead * Carolina chickadee *

Acorn woodpecker Hooded merganser * Boreal chickadee *

Lewis woodpecker Common merganser * Chestnut-backed chickadee *

Yellow-bellied sapsucker American kestrel * Mountain chickadee *

Williamsons sapsucker Barn owl * Tuted titmouse *

Hairy woodpecker * Eastern screech owl * Plain titmouse *

Downy woodpecker Western screech owl * Bridled titmouse *

Red-cockaded woodpecker Whiskered screech owl White-breasted nuthatch *

Ladder-backed woodpecker Northern hawk owl Red-breasted nuthatch *

Nuttalls woodpecker Barred owl * Brown-headed nuthatch *

Stricklands woodpecker Boreal owl * Pygmy nuthatch

White-headed woodpecker Northern saw-whet owl * Brown creeper

Black-backed woodpecker Spotted owl * House wren *

Three-toed woodpecker Flammulated owl * Winter wren

Golden-ronted woodpecker * El owl Carolina wren *

Black-capped chickadee * Ferruginous pygmy owl Bewicks wren *

Northern pygmy owl Eastern bluebird *

Brown-crested fycatcher * Western bluebird *

Great-crested fycatcher * Mountain bluebird *

Ash-throated fycatcher * Prothonotary warbler *

* Species known to use nest boxes.

Table 1 North American cavity-nesting birds

Yellow-pine chipmunk Deer mouse

Northern fying squirrel Common red-backed vole

Gray squirrel Yellow-necked eld mouse

Fox squirrel Ermine

Red squirrel Bats

Bushy-tailed wood rat Raccoon

Table 2 Some cavity-nesting mammals in NorthAmerica

Pileated woodpecker eeding on standing dead tree

(snag). Woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in live

trees or snags.

USFS, Alan Dyck


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Cavity-nesting waterowl and other birds exhibit site

delity, where nesting emales return to the general

area in which they were raised. When nest sites are

destroyed by timber harvest, land development, and

natural disturbances, returning emales are orced to

nd other nesting cavities. Landowners and managers

can supply articial nesting structures to replace lost

nest sites and should limit the amount o disturbance

during the nesting season.

Nesting structure basics

Besides overall habitat conditions, several actors in-

fuence the success o articial nesting structures.

These actors include construction materials used,

structure design and placement, installation methods,

use o predator guards, and monitoring and mainte-

nance perormed. Wildlie managers must consider all

o these actors to maximize the useulness o nesting

structures. For example, the best-designed structures

will be o little use i they are placed in the wrong

habitat type or they are easily accessed by predators.Likewise, a well-designed structure placed in suit-

able habitat may not be used i it is not properly at-

tached or is easily detached rom its support by wind

or storms.

Construction materialsStructures made o wood are relatively inexpensive

and easy to build. Wood seems to be the most weather

resistant insulating material, and most wildlie

species preer wood to metal or plastic structures.

For most nest boxes, 3/4-inch rough-cut boards are

best used or construction. Since cavity-nesting wa-

terowl do not carry nesting material to the nest, 3to4 inches o coarse sawdust or wood chips should be

placed inside the nest box. Nest boxes intended or

use by woodpeckers can be tightly packed with saw-

dust to resemble decaying woody material. Old nest-

ing material should be removed at the start o eachnesting season and replaced with resh materials.

While many articial nesting structures are designed

or cavity-nesters, some provide nesting sites or oth-

er wildlie. Nesting platorms, baskets, and cylinders

are used by waterowl, raptors, and other species. I

wire mesh is used as nest support material, the weave

must be tight enough to prevent eggs and young

rom alling through the wire. Culverts are typical-

ly made o concrete, and some nesting baskets/box-

es are made rom plastic buckets or open metal tubs.

Closed metal boxes are generally not used, since they

trap excessive heat which can kill eggs and young and

stress adults. Articial burrows have a solid, plywood

top and are buried about 6 inches underground to pre-

vent trampling by livestock. Milk cartons should not

be used as nest boxes.

Structure designA wide variety o articial nesting structure designs

have been developed to accommodate cavity-nesting

and other wildlie species. Designs range rom sim-

ple platorms to complex, multicompartmented struc-

Natural cavities provide nesting sites or many

species o birds and mammals.

Worker installing nest box or red-cockaded wood-

pecker.

USFWS

John English, Big Country Audubon Society


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tures. Some o these designs are more successul than

others, and most can be built or acquired rom a va-

riety o suppliers. Design schematics or a number

o structures are provided at the end o this leafet in

gures 2 through 11. Basic nest box designs can be

modied to accommodate various species by altering

dimensions or entrance hole sizes. The size o the en-

trance hole also infuences the internal temperature

o the box, predator accessibility, and use by compet-ing nontarget species. Table 3 contains recommended

nest box dimensions and entrance hole sizes or many

cavity-nesting birds.

Below are some basic nest box design considerations:

shouldbemadeofwood;cedar(preferred,most

weather-resistant), cypress, redwood, or pine

boxshouldopenfromthesideortopformainte-

nance and cleaning

sidesofnestboxshouldenclosetheoorboard

(recessed a quarter inch) to prevent rain seepage

nails,woodscrews,andhingesshouldberust-

proo

entranceholedimensionsshouldaccommo-

datethedesiredbirdspecies;holeshouldnotbe

large enough to allow competitors and predators

access

adouble-thickentranceandextendedrooftode-

ter predators like squirrels and raccoons

ventilationholesorslitsatthetopofbothsides,

just beneath the roo o the box

fourorveholesdrilledintothebottomofthe

nest box to allow or drainage

songbirdnestboxshouldnothaveaperch,whichincreasespredatoraccess;nativesong-

birds do not use perches

nestboxshouldnotbetreatedwithgreenpre-

servative, which is poisonous to birds

nestboxshouldnotbepaintedontheinsideor

painted bright, unnatural colors on the outside

(may attract predators or exotic species)

PlacementHabitat requirements o target wildlie species and

available habitat greatly infuence nesting struc-

ture placement. Some species seek secluded nesting

sites, while others preer to nest in more open areas.

Species-specic nesting preerences should be con-

sidered when deciding where to install nesting struc-

tures. Table 4 provides habitat preerences and nest

site characteristics or a variety o cavity-nesting birds.

Structures should be made available and ready or

occupants beore the breeding season begins. Since

some bird species begin nest site selection as early as

February, most nesting structures should be installed

and/or made ready the previous all or by late January.

InstallationWhen installing nest structures, landowners should

consider height above the ground, orientation, pred-

ator guards, and preerred natural nesting sites.

Woodpeckers and bats preer nest boxes that ace

east, providing greater morning sun exposure. Most

birds and mammals avor entrances that ace away

rom prevailing winds. Landowners and managers

should learn which natural habitat conditions are a-

vored by the desired wildlie species. Cavity-nesting

waterowl nest on or near the water and oten preer

nesting structures that ace open water and are clear

o overhanging branches. Where beavers occur, land-owners should avoid attaching nest structures to as-

pen or other tree species that are preerred beaver

ood sources.

Nest structures can be attached to poles, posts, or

pipes on land or in the water. Nest boxes can also be

attachedtotrees;however,itishardtoinstallpreda-

tor guards on tree trunks. Supports should be sturdy

enough to keep the structure rom swaying or tippingProthonotary Warblers are secondary cavity nesters.

USFS


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Species Floor area

(in)

Cavity depth

(in)

Entrance height

(in)

Diameter o entrance hole

(in)

Wood duck * 8 by 12 15 9 1/2 3 by 4 oval

Hooded merganser * 10 by 12 23 17 4 by 3 oval

American kestrel 8 by 8 1215 912 3

Barn owl * 12 by 40 15 7 6 by 6

Barred owl * 13 by 13 2228 1418 68

Saw-whet owl * 6 by 6 1012 810 2 1/2

Screech owl * 8 by 8 1215 912 3

Northern ficker * 7 by 7 1618 1416 2 1/2

Downy woodpecker ** 4 by 4 810 68 1 1/4

Hairy woodpecker ** 6 by 6 1215 912 1 1/2

Lewis woodpecker ** 7 by 7 1618 1416 2 1/2

Pileated woodpecker ** 8 by 8 1624 1220 3 by 4

Ash-throated fycatcher 6 by 6 810 68 2

Great-crested fycatcher 6 by 6 810 68 1 3/4

Brown-headed nuthatch *** 4 by 4 810 68 1 1/4

Pygmy nuthatch *** 4 by 4 810 68 1 1/4

Red-breasted nuthatch *** 4 by 4 810 68 1 1/4

White-breasted nuthatch *** 4 by 4 810 68 1 3/8

Tree swallow 5 by 5 8 6 1 3/8

Violet-green swallow 5 by 5 68 46 1 1/2

Eastern bluebird 5 by 5 6 10 1 3/8

Mountain bluebird 5 by 5 812 610 1 9/16

Western bluebird 5 by 5 812 610 1 1/2

Bewicks wren 4 by 4 68 46 1 1/2

Carolina wren 4 by 4 68 46 1 1/2

House wren 4 by 4 68 46 1 1/8

Black-capped chickadee 4 by 4 9 7 1 1/8

Carolina chickadee 4 by 4 9 7 1 1/4

Tuted titmouse 4 by 4 9 7 1 1/4

* Put 4 inches o wood chips or coarse sawdust in bottom o nest box annually.

** Fill nest box tightly with sawdust (preerred i outer material is bark).

*** Outer material should be bark.

Table 3 Nest box dimensions or some cavity-nesting birds


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Species Nesting habitat and placement tips

Eastern bluebird

Mountain bluebird

Western bluebird

Openelds,meadows,backyards;oldorchards;openruralcountrywithscatteredtreecover;

placebox36ftaboveground;entranceholeshouldfaceopenareas,preferringeastandnorth

directions;MountainandWesternbluebirdsmayusesomeforestedge

American kestrel Pastures,elds,andopenmeadowswithgrazedormowedvegetation;placeboxes

on solitary trees or posts in open elds or along edge o woodlots 1030 t aboveground

Wood duck Forestedwetlands,swamps,ponds,lakes;placeboxindeciduoustrees630ftaboveground,

30100ftfromnearestwatersource;spaceboxes100ftapart

Hooded merganser

Common merganser

Prefersecludedwoodedwaterways,lakes,faster-movingrivers;placeboxontreeupto630ft

aboveground, within 30100 t o water source

Common goldeneye

Barrows goldeneye

Forestedareasnearpermanentlakesandriversandlarge,maturetrees;placeboxintree630ft

aboveground, within 30100 t o water source

Screech owl Forests,parks,woodlandclearings,forestedges,especiallyinriparianareas;placebox1030ft

aboveground acing north

Great crested

fycatcher

Deciduousormixeddeciduous-coniferousforestsandforestedges,woodlands;placeboxon

post or tree at orest edge, 320 t aboveground

Ash-throated

fycatcher

Chaparral,mesquitethickets,savannas,deserts,andopendeciduousandriparianwoodlands;

place box 320 t aboveground

Northern ficker Pastures,woodlands,forestedges;placebox630ftabovegroundonpoleortreeatforestedge

or along ence rows

Tree swallow Openeldsandotheropenhabitatsnearriparianareas;placeboxonpoleorpost515ft

aboveground with entrance hole acing east 30100 t apart

Violet-green

swallow

Open or broken deciduous or mixed deciduous-conierous orests, orest edge adjacent to open

area;placebox915ftaboveground

White-breasted

nuthatch

Deciduous, mixed deciduous-conierous orests, woodlands, orest edges, with mature stands

anddecayingtrees;placebox360ftaboveground,entranceholeshouldfaceawayfrompre-

vailing wind

Red-breasted

nuthatch

Conierous and mixed deciduous-conierous orests, aspen woodlands, mature stands with de-

cayingtrees;placebox540ftaboveground,entranceholeshouldfaceawayfromprevailing

wind

Pygmy nuthatch Ponderosa,yellow,andJeffreypineforests,pinyon-juniperwoodlands;placebox660ft

aboveground

Brown-headed

nuthatch

Openstandsofpines,mixedpine-hardwoodwoodland;placebox210ftaboveground

Black-capped

chickadee

Carolina chickadee

Forests,woodlots,andareaswithmaturehardwoodtrees,forestedges,andmeadows;area

should receive 4060% sunlight, and entrance hole should ace away rom prevailing wind

Mountain chickadee Montaneconiferousforests;placebox515ftaboveground,preferablyinasnag;entrancehole

should ace away rom prevailing wind

Chestnut-backed

chickadee

Coniferousandmixeddeciduous-coniferousforests,usuallynearriparianareas;placebox215

ftaboveground;entranceholefacingawayfromprevailingwind

Carolina wren Open deciduous woodlands (especially with thick underbrush), backyards, parks, gardens with

treesorshrubs;placebox010ftaboveground

Prothonotary warbler Swampylowlandforestsandriverbottomwoodlandssubjecttoooding;placewarblerbox

210 t above or near water

Table 4 Habitat requirements and nest box placement or some cavity-nesting birds


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over in high winds. Nest boxes can be attached to

4- by 4- or 4- by 6-inch treated wooden posts or trees

by inserting a 4- to 6-inch lag bolt through a hole

drilled in the back o the box, opposite the entrance

hole. A large washer between the head o the lag bolt

and the box should be used to secure the box to the

support. The bolt should be checked each year and

loosened as the tree grows. Wire should not be used

to attach nest structures to live trees to avoid damag-ing the tree.

Many woodpecker species will take advantage o nest

boxes i mature trees and snags in which to exca-

vate cavities are not available. Boxes should be tight-

ly packed with sawdust to simulate decaying wood in-

side snags and dead limbs. Woodpeckers preer boxes

with bark exteriors, placed on the south or east side

o trees (to maximize exposure to the sun).

To ensure stability, the inside diameter o metal sup-

port poles should be at least 2 inches. Hex or car-

riage bolts can be used to attach structures to steel

poles. Nest structures can be installed on or over wa-

ter when it is iced over or when the water level is low.

Nest boxes mounted over water should be 4 to 6 eet

above the water surace to avoid fooding. A slight

orward tilt can help drain the structure and keep

out precipitation. A post driver can be used to drive

wooden or metal posts into the substrate o ponds

or wetlands. Utility or re companies may be able to

help landowners raise tall nesting structures, such as

raptor and heron platorms.

Floating nest platorms are usually held in place byanchor chains, weights, or buoys. They should be an-

chored at least 25 eet rom shore, in water that is at

least 18 inches deep. Floating platorms should be re-

moved beore the rst major reeze to prevent dam-

age rom ice action and fuctuating water levels.

Nest boxes or waterowl should be placed in wood-

ed areas close to or directly over water. Wood ducks,

mergansers, bufeheads, and goldeneyes are toler-

ant o other nearby nesting species. Some waterowl

species exhibit a brood parasitism behavior known as

dump nesting. Dump nesting occurs when a hen ob-serves another emale entering and exiting a nest box

and is stimulated to lay her eggs in that nest. This be-

havior increases when several nest boxes are erect-

ed close to each other in highly visible areas. Studies

show that hatching success decreases in areas with

excessive dump nesting. It may be necessary to put

a ew nest boxes out in the open initially to attract

nesting waterowl. The nest boxes should be moved

Wood duck nest box placed in a wooded wetland

setting.

C. Rewa

Wood ducks readily use nest boxes.Ducks Unlimited

Wood duck hens may lay eggs in the nests o others

(dump nesting) where boxes are positioned close to

each other in open areas.

Wildlie Habitat Council


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to more secluded spots along wooded edges close to

water the season ater nesting is observed. Once a e-

male has successully nested in a box, she is likely to

return in ollowing years.

Cavity-nesting waterowl do not bring nesting ma-

terials to the nest. They use bark, decayed wood -

bers, and other debris ound in natural cavities and

line the nest with down. Thereore, a 3- or 4-inch layero coarse sawdust or wood chips should be added to

boxes as nest building material.

Predator guardsPredators (both native and introduced) can limit the

reproductive success o wildlie using natural nest

sites and articial nesting structures. The rough sur-

ace o wooden posts and trees makes climbing easy

or terrestrial predators such as snakes, raccoons, and

domestic cats.

Articial nesting structures, especially those close to

water, should be tted with predator guards to reduce

the likelihood o nest predation. Heavy plastic, alu-

minum sheet metal, and other materials can be used

to construct predator guards. Newspaper printers are

good sources or large quantities o discarded alu-

minum sheet metal. Metal poles are more dicult to

climb, but should at least be covered with repeated

applications o axle grease where eective predator

guards are dicult to install.

There are three basic types o predator guards: the

conical guard, the pipe (sandwich) guard, and sheet

metal tree band guard (g. 1). Other structures such ascoarse wire mesh extending out rom around the nest

box entrance hole may be used to prevent raccoons

and other predators rom reaching into the nest box.

In addition to installing predator guards to discour-

age ground-dwelling predators, overhanging or low

branches near nesting structure should be removed to

discourage access by arboreal predators.

Monitoring and maintenanceNesting structures can be monitored throughout the

nesting season to track use and nest success, remove

undesirable exotic species, and to clean the structure

ater young are fedged to make it available or late

and second nesting attempts. Some birds and mam-

mals tolerate limited levels o human disturbance,

such as occasional (once a week or once every 10

days) nest checks, but others do not. Nest checks

should be completed quickly to minimize stress on

parent birds and young. Intrusive monitoring o sen-

sitive species (erruginous hawks, ospreys, and barn

owls) should be limited to prevent nest abandonment.

Parasites cause problems or some nesting birds. To

check or blowfy larvae, mites, and other pests, gen-

tly lit the nest o the box foor and tap it lightly. Ater

the pests drop to the box foor, sweep them out o the

box. Since birds have a poor sense o smell, adults do

not generally abandon nests that have been handled

in this manner.

Well-built nesting structures can last 10 to 15 years i

properly maintained. Ater a brood has let the struc-

ture, the old nesting material should be cleaned out

to make room or a second clutch. Nest structuresshould be checked at least once per year beore the

Predator guards help reduce loss o eggs and young to

predation.

C. Rewa

Monitoring and maintenance can help ensure success

o wood duck boxes and other nesting structures.

NRCS


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18-in radius

When affixing to a post, overlap

cut edges to this dotted line.

Cut a 60-degree wedge

from the sheet.

Cut out center:

4-in hole fits a 3-in post



Supporting brackets

Supporting brackets

Complete side view

Use three woodmounting blocks.

Drill pilot holes tonail blocks to poles(side view cut awayto show mountingblocks).

Attach predatorguard at least34 in abovewater surface.

1/4-in roundhead stove boltsor metal screws

2 flat piecesof metal (36 in)

The pipe, or sandwich guard (left),

and the sheet metal ban guard (right)

provide alternatives to the conical

predator guard. Heavy plastic, sheet

metal, aluminum, and other materials

can be used to make predator guards.

Newspaper printers are good sources

for large quantities of aluminum sheet

metal, which is used in printing and

then recycled.

36 in

Top view

Nest box post

3-1/2 in

8-1/2 in

1/4-in round

head stove bolts or

sheet metal screws

Mount at least

4 ft aboveground

Figure 1 Conical predator guard


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breeding season starts to remove old nesting

materials, mouse nests, insects, and other debris.

Place resh wood chips, shavings, or sawdust in nest

boxes, i appropriate. Replacement parts and other

repairs can be made to nest structures during annu-

al maintenance checks. Nest monitoring results can

be used by local birding organizations and state and

Federal government agencies to keep track o repro-

ductive success and wildlie population trends.

Competitors

Competition or nest sites is oten high among cav-

ity-nesting wildlie species. Birds, small mammals,

and insects compete or suitable sites. Deer mice and

squirrels oten inhabit nest structures during the win-

ter months, and their nests should be removed dur-

ing annual maintenance inspections i they are not the

target species. House sparrows and European star-

lings are not native to North America but thrive in

backyard and suburban areas, requently taking overnest sites used by native songbirds. House sparrows

will kill the parents and young o bluebirds, chick-

adees, house wrens, and other native birds. An en-

trance hole diameter o less than 1-1/4 inches can pre-

clude house sparrows rom using nest boxes, but also

excludes some native cavity-nesting birds. European

starlings can be excluded by entrance hole diameters

o no greater than 1-1/2 inches. Special starling guards

are available to protect entrance holes o purple mar-

tin houses and other nesting structures.

I a house sparrow or starling nest is ound during

routine nest monitoring, the nest and its contents

should be removed. These two introduced species

are oten persistent nesters and are not protected byFederal law. Live trapping and humane destruction

may be necessary in areas highly populated by house

sparrows and starlings (traps are available at bird spe-

cialty stores). Local authorities can help landowners

dispose o the birds properly. Frozen birds can be do-

nated or scientic use, and to academic institutions

or raptor rehabilitation centers.

Wasps and bees also build nests in birdhouses. These

insects can be discouraged by soaping the inside top

o nest boxes. I insects such as paper wasps establish

a nest in a vacant box, a low toxicity insecticide can

be sprayed inside the box in the early morning (when

the insects are still cold and sluggish) and the nest

can be removed. Annual maintenance and monitoring

help detect colonies o wasps and bees.

Nonnative house sparrows aggressively compete or

nest sites with native species.

Wikimedia Commons

American kestrel young in nest box.

U.S. Forest Service


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11

Types o articial nesting structures

Nest boxNest boxes are probably the most common and easi-

ly recognized articial nesting structures used today.

Over 50 species o birds including waterowl, raptors,

songbirds, and woodpeckers are known to use nest

boxes. Some government and nonprot organizations

may supply nest boxes and/or building materials at nocharge or at a reduced rate. Local community groups

like scouts and ornithological society chapters can

help landowners construct and erect nest boxes.

Like natural nesting cavities, nest boxes should not

have perches mounted at the entrance hole. Box con-

struction should limit the amount o light and pre-

cipitation that can enter the box. During construc-

tion, our quarter-inch holes should be drilled in the

bottom o the nest box or drainage, and ventilation

slits should be provided on both sides just under the

roo overhang. Hardware cloth attached to the inside

ront o waterowl nest boxes serves as exit ladders

or ducklings. A variety o nest box designs are pro-

vided at the end o this leafet in gures 2 through 11,

and box dimensions or various species are listed in

table 3.

Nest shelNest shelves are used by American robins, eastern

phoebes, and barn swallows. Since these species use

mud in nest construction, nearby mud puddles or oth-

er water sources may enhance the attractiveness o

nest shelves. Some birds preer shelves placed un-

der building overhangs or eaves, adjacent to open ar-eas. Old nesting material should be removed ater the

breeding season is complete. A design or a typical

nest shel is provided in gure 3.

Nesting platormOspreys, erruginous hawks, golden eagles, great

horned owls, great gray owls, great blue herons,

black-crowned night herons, double-crested cormo-

rants, egrets, and occasionally bald eagles have been

known to nest on platorms when suitable natural

nest sites are limited or unavailable. Sticks are re-

quently wired to the platorm to simulate previous

use, which is attractive to these species. Nest plat-orms can be mounted on a single pole, a solid base

such as a tree or tripod, or or species that nest along

coastal or inland waterways, marine navigational

structures. Figure 4 illustrates a nesting platorm.

Great horned owl and great gray owl nestingplatormsGreat horned owls and great gray owls do not build

their own nests. Both species typically use nests aban-

doned by red-tailed hawks, goshawks, eagles, and oth-

er large raptors. Articial nesting platorms and cones

are also used.

Great horned owls preer platorms lodged in mature

hardwood trees 15 to 50 eet above the ground. Nest

sites should be relatively ree rom human distur-

bance, and oraging habitat should be available near-

by. Platorms in quiet woodlot edges, shelterbelts with

mature trees, and windbreaks are examples o suit-

able nesting sites.

Great gray owls preer nest sites located in the inte-

rior o conierous orests. Nesting platorms should

be placed in mature trees at least 15 eet above the

ground.

Many foating platorm designs are used to provide

suitable waterowl nesting sites.

Amoco

Baskets provide nesting sites attractive to waterowl.

C. Rewa


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12

Floating platormMany waterowl species choose natural nesting sites

on islands or along shorelines o lakes, ponds, riv-

ers, and streams. Most waterowl avor sites sheltered

rom prevailing winds, and preerred nesting cover

varies with species. Floating platorms oer alterna-

tive nesting sites that provide protection rom many

predators. Floating platorms are used by common

loons and Canada geese in areas where water levels

fuctuate. Mallards, black ducks, pintails, blue-winged

teal, and canvasbacks may also use foating platorms.

Aquatic vegetation such as rushes and cattails can be

secured to foating platorms in northern lakes to at-tract nesting loons. Canada geese preer platorms

covered with grass, straw, or hay. Nest material can

be wired to the bottom o the platorm to prevent it

rom blowing o. Other waterowl species and turtles

may use foating platorms or loang. A foating nest-

ing platorm design is shown in gure 5.

Nesting baskets, cylinders, and culverts

Nesting baskets and tubs (both metal and berglass)

are used by ducks (primarily mallards) and geese.

Mallard nest baskets should be installed over wa-

ter at least 10 eet rom the land. Baskets or tubs at-

tached to wood or metal supports should be at least

three eet above the surace o the water to prevent

fooding. Straw, hay, or grass nesting material should

be replaced annually. About 10 drainage holes must be

punched into the bottom o the tub. A 6-inch-wide by

4-inch-high escape notch should be cut out o the side

o the tub to allow goslings and ducklings to exit. The

tub may be painted a natural earth tone (brown, gray,or dark green). I the tub is attached to a foating plat-

orm, the platorm must be anchored to the bottom at

opposite ends in 2 to 4 eet o water. Floating struc-

tures and nesting baskets should be installed in areas

where view o other similar structures is obstructed.

Concrete waterowl nesting culvert. Waterowl nesting cylinder or hen house.

C. Rewa

C. Rewa

Open water deployment o waterowl nest cylinders reduces nest depredation by avian predators and raccoons.


13/29


13

Hen houses, or nesting cylinders, are suitable nest

sites or waterowl species that avor overhead nest-

ing cover. The house is basically a 3-oot-long cylinder

made o rolled encing wire and hay, dried grass or

other vegetation. Cylinders can be mounted on wood-

en boards attached to poles protruding rom the wa-

ter. Pipes or poles supporting the hen house should

extend at least 3 eet above the surace o the water

to prevent fooding. Basic designs or nesting basketsand cylinders are shown in gure 6.

Concrete culverts can be used to make suitable nest-

ing structures or some ducks and geese. To construct

a nesting structure, the culvert is to be set on end and

lled with soil. Vegetation preerred by the target spe-

cies should be planted in the top layer o soil. Culverts

require little annual maintenance and are usually in-

stalled in about 18 inches o water along shorelines

o lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The culvert should ex-

tend ar enough above the water to prevent fooding

or easy predator access. It may take 1 or 2 years be-

ore there is adequate vegetation cover to attract nest-

ing waterowl.

Bat housesForty percent o bat species in the United States are

rapidly declining or endangered because o habitat

loss and destruction o roosts and hibernacula. Bats

are nocturnal mammals that depend on roosts in nat-

ural tree cavities, caves, hollow trees and slough-

ing tree bark, and manmade structures such as attics,

mines, and bridges. Daytime roosts are used or mi-

grating and bachelor colonies, as well as summer ma-

ternity (or nursery) colonies. Articial roosting struc-tures, reerred to as bat houses, can serve as eective

roosts and nursery areas. Pairing two or more bat

houses back-to-back or on the same building provides

a variety o temperatures or dierent roosting needs.

Pivot-pole systems are the easiest method to raise or

lower single or paired houses or maintenance.

Basics o bat house designMost bat houses, or bat

boxes, are made o wood. Typically, exterior-grade

plywood that has not been pressure-treated is used.

Listed below are some basic guidelines or build-

ing bat houses. For more detailed inormation, con-

tact Bat Conservation International (BCI) or visit theirWeb site at http://www.batcon.org.

Internalroostingpartitionsshouldbeproperly

spaced, 3/4 to 1 inch apart or bat species in the

United States, to conserve heat.

Internal roosting partitions should be roughened

with a saw or chisel to create ootholds or bats.

Use a 1/8- to 1/4-inch plastic mesh as a substitute.

ForhousesinregionswhereaverageJulytem-

peratures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, include

vents 6 inches rom the bottom o the house.

Frontventsshouldbeaslongastheboxiswide;

side vents should be 6 by 1/2 inch. Apartialbottomcanbeaddedtohousesincold-

er, northern climates to increase the internal

temperature o the house. The bottom should be

angled at 45 degrees or greater to allow guano

to all out o the house. Attach the bottom with

rust-proo hinges and secure with a hook-and-

eye latch or easy maintenance.

Applythreelayersofadarkcoloredexteri-

orpainttotheoutsideofthebathouse;dark

brown or black or houses in the north and east,

medium to light brown or houses in the south

and southwest. An aluminum roo may need tobe installed (or shade) over houses in regions

with high summer temperatures.

Bat house on a pivot pole.


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14

Purple martin housing standards

Today, purple martins depend on humans to sup-

ply them with suitable nest sites. For more detailed

inormation about purple martins, helpul manage-

ment tips, and

housing spec-

ications and

diagrams,contact the

Purple Martin

Conservation

Association

(PMCA) at

the Edinboro

University o

Pennsylvania

at 814734

4420, or visit the

PMCA Web site

at http://www.

purplemartin.

org.

The PMCA has developed a set o biologically sound

housing (or compartment or gourd system) stan-

dards or purple martins. Listed below are some pur-

ple martin housing basics. These birds have additional

housing needs, and PMCA literature addresses those

issues.

Housing materials: Although aluminum housing is o-

ten preerred or its ease o maintenance and accessi-

bility, untreated wood apartments are also commonlyused. Cypress and cedar are recommended, but pine

and redwood are also used. The exterior o the apart-

ments should be painted white. The interior should

have no treatment, stain, or paint. Wood foors with

a rough surace prevent nestlings rom developing

Allexteriorsurfacesshouldbecaulkedand

sealed to prevent heat loss rom inside the

house and precipitation rom leaking into the

house.

Performroutine,annualmaintenanceonthebat

house such as caulking, painting, and general re-

pairs.

Bat house placementInstall bat houses 2 to 6 weeks

beore spring or beore bats are evicted rom an attic

or barn. Bat houses should be installed on a 4- by 4- or

4- by 6-inch pressure-treated wooden post or a metal

pole with an inside diameter greater than 2 inches (or

stability). Houses should be installed in open wood-

lots, old orchards, armlands, or backyards within

one-quarter mile o a lake, pond, stream, or wetland.

Bat houses placed on poles, under building over-

hangs, or on the sides, o buildings are occupied more

successully than those houses mounted on trees. The

bottom o the house should be 12 to 15 eet above the

ground and located in ample sunlight. Northern and

eastern bat houses should receive at least 8 hours o

direct sunlight per day and ace south or southeast or

the maximum amount o solar radiation. Warmer cli-

mates should receive 6 or more hours o direct sun-

light and ace east or southeast. In the hottest cli-

mates, 4 or 5 hours o direct sunlight is acceptable.

Bat houses should be checked at least twice a month

in the summer with a fashlight in daylight hours

to count adult bats and young. Houses should be

checked at least once during the all and once dur-ing the winter to check or migrating and overwinter-

ing bats. Bats are sensitive to excessive human dis-

turbance. For large colonies, count the bats as they

emerge rom the house at dusk.

To determine i a house contains a nursery colony

(late May through June), check the house 45 minutes

ater sundown ater the adults have let to eed. The

young are pink and fightless and cling to the insides

o the house.

Diagrams or building bat houses are provided in g-

ure 7. For additional inormation on bat biology, con-servation, and research, see U.S. Fish and Wildlie

Habitat Management Leafet No. 5, Bats, or go to Bat

Conservation Internationals Web site at www.batcon.

org.

Aluminum purple martin house.Dave Holmes

Purple martin.Paul Jung


15/29


15

Purple martins on gourd housing structure.


splayed legs. I the housing is made o plastic, the exte-

rior should be a light color or white. The plastic should

be opaque. Translucent plastic overheats quickly, kill-

ing the eggs and nestlings, or stressing the incubating

parent martin. Gourds are also used as purple martin

apartments.

Compartment size: A martin house contains at least

our to six compartments, and the minimum size oreach compartment is 6 by 6 by 6 inches. Larger com-

partments oer better protection rom weather and

predators.

Entrance hole: Purple martins use round entrance

holes with diameters ranging rom 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 inch-

es. Most housing eatures 2-1/8-inch diameter entrance

holes. Door plugs should be used in the winter to close

compartments to house sparrows, starlings, and oth-

er winter occupants. The entrance hole should be 1 to

1-1/2 inches above the foor o the compartment.

Height and placement o housing: Housing should be

erected 12 to 20 eet above the ground on a metal pole

or pressure-treated wood post set into the ground

with concrete. The house should not sway or tip in

high winds. The house should be placed in an open

area at least 40 eet away rom trees, but within 100

eet o human activity (home, marina).

Other considerations: Landlords should install a pole

predator guard to discourage terrestrial predators.

The compartments should have ventilation holes un-

der the roo overhang and drainage holes in the com-

partment foor. Porch railings are desirable.

The martin housing must be able to be lowered and

raised vertically to perorm routine maintenance,

cleaning, and nest monitoring. Housing on a winch or

lanyard system or on a telescoping pole is highly rec-

ommended. House sparrows and European starlings

requently take over housing, so the landlord must

check or nests, eggs, or occupants on a regular ba-

sis. Perches are not recommended since they attract

these exotic species.

Articial burrowsArticial burrows are used by a variety o ground-

dwelling animals. Most articial burrows are built

o plywood and buried at least 6 inches below the

ground surace. For a more natural appearance, a

small mound o soil should be built up around the en-

trance hole to simulate natural excavation by some

other animal. Articial burrows are generally con-

structed o wood. Plastic tubing at least 8 inches in

diameter can also be used. The burrow should be

placed on a relatively high, well-drained location and

checked annually or repairs.

Landowner assistance

There are a variety o private and public organizations

that provide technical and/or nancial assistance to

landowners and managers who want to enhance ex-

isting wildlie habitats by erecting articial nesting

structures. Local chapters o ornithological societ-

ies, such as local Audubon chapters or birding clubs,

can help landowners construct and install the appro-

priate nesting structures. State wildlie agencies can

also help landowners identiy wildlie needs and as-sess available habitat. Local hardware stores, home

improvement stores, lumberyards, or pipe manuac-

turers may be willing to donate materials needed to

construct a large quantity o nesting structures. Boy

Scout and Girl Scout troops may wish to help land

managers build and install articial nesting structures.

Local utility companies may also be willing to assist

landowners erect raptor and heron platorms or other

tall, hard to install nest structures.

There are numerous groups and organizations that

supply inormation about the biology o specic spe-

cies, as well as detailed instructions or building nest-ing structures to attract the desired species (table 5).


16/29


16

Conclusion

Articial nesting structures are not meant to replace

suitable habitat, but rather to enhance existing hab-

itat and increase the nesting success o a particular

species. Basic habitat management techniques or im-

proving habitat or a variety o wildlie species and

groups are provided in other habitat management lea-

lets in this series. These leafets contain inormationabout specic species that use articial nesting struc-

tures, such as the wood duck (No. 1), eastern blue-

bird (No. 2), and American kestrel (No. 3). These lea-

lets are available at www.whmi.nrcs.usda.gov and at

www.wildliehc.org.

Landowners and managers must be patient when at-

tempting to attract wildlie to articial nesting struc-

tures. It can take a year or two or the desired spe-

cies to take notice o new nesting structures. Human

activities that disturb nesting activities should be re-

stricted in the vicinity o structures during the breed-

ing season.

Quality o construction is important. The type o ma-

terials used, entrance hole dimensions (i applicable),

attachments, and predator guards contribute to the e-

ectiveness and longevity o the structure and the re-productive success o the targeted wildlie species.

By considering the biology and habitat requirements

o the desired species, landowners and managers can

maximize the benets o using articial nesting struc-

tures or wildlie.

Table 5 Groups and organizations that design articial nesting structures or specic wildlie species

Group name Contact inormation Web site

Bat Conservation International (BCI) P.O. Box 162603

Austin, Texas 78716-2603

phone: 5123279721

ax: 5123279724

http://www.batcon.org

Purple Martin Conservation

Association (PMCA)

Edinboro University o

Pennsylvania

Edinboro, PA 16444

phone: 8147344420

http://www.purplemartin.org

North American Bluebird Society

(NABS)

P.O. Box 74

Darlington,WI 535300074

http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org

The Eagle Institute P.O. Box 182

Barryville, NY 12719

phone: 9145576162

http://www.eagleinstitute.org

National Audubon Society 700 Broadway

New York, NY

phone: 2129793000

ax: 2129793188

http://www.audubon.org


17/29


17

Reerences

Online resources

Grondahl, C., and J. Dockter. Building nest structures,

eeders, and photo blinds or North Dakota wild-

lie. North Dakota Game and Fish Department,

Bismarck, ND. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/

resource/tools/ndblinds/ndblinds.htm.

Hill, J.R. III, and L. Chambers. 2000. The PMCAs best

martin management tips.

http://www.purplemartin.org/main/besttips.

html.

Homan, T. Using barn owls or rodent control. http://

members.tripod.com/Tommy51/aboutbarnowls.

html.

Printed sources

Henderson, C.L. 1992. Woodworking or wildlie.

Minnesota Department o Natural Resources.

St. Paul, MN.

Kiser, M. 2000. Pole mounting tips. The Bat House

Researcher Vol. 8, No. 2. Bat Conservation

International, Austin, TX.

Kiser, M., and S. Kiser. 2000. Cold climate modication

or nursery houses. The Bat House Researcher

Vol. 8, No. 2. Bat Conservation International,

Austin, TX.

Mueller, J. 1999. American kestrel. USDA Natural

Resources Conservation Service Wildlie Habitat

Management Institute and Wildlie Habitat

Council, Fish and Wildlie Habitat Management

Leafet, No. 3.

Mueller, J. 1999. Bats. USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service Wildlie Habitat



Leafet, No. 5.

Mueller, J. 1999. Eastern bluebird. USDA NaturalResources Conservation Service Wildlie Habitat



Leafet, No. 2.

Payne, N.F. 1992. Techniques or wildlie habitat man-

agement o wetlands. McGraw-Hill, New York,

NY.

Payne, N.F., and F.C. Bryant. 1994. Techniques or

wildlie management o uplands. McGraw-Hill,

New York, NY.

Rewa, C. 1999. Wood duck. USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service Wildlie Habitat



Leafet, No. 1.

Tuttle, M.D., and D. Hensley. 1993. The bat builders

handbook (2000 revision). Bat Conservation

International, Austin, TX.


18/29


18

Note: Entrance hole

diameter is 1-1/8 inches.

(An entrance hole

diameter of 1-3/8 inches

is needed for the white-

breasted nuthatch and

flying squirrel.)

Pivot nail

in back

Pivot nail

in front

Use one nail or screw at bottom to closeside. Nail or screw holds side closed.

Two pivot nails allow side to swing

out for cleaning.

Please note that any birdhouse entrance 1-1/4 inches in diameter or larger will admit house sparrows.All wren and chickadee nest boxes should have an entrance hole of 1-1/8 inches in diameter.

1/4-in holes 1/4-in holes

8-1/4in 4

in

5-1/2 in

Lumber: One 1 inch by 6 inch by 4 foot

11 in

5-1/2in

Roof

8-1/4in

1 in

5-1/2 in

Front

1-1/8 in

8in

5-1/2 in

5-1/2 in

Side

(2)

11in

5-1/2 in

Back

Front Roof Side Side Floor

8 in 8-1/4 in 8 in 8 in 4 in

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Back

Floor

Waste

Figure 2 Typical nest box design


19/29


19

Figure 3 Nesting shel designs or American robin, eastern phoebe, and barn swallow

Front view of nesting shelf without roof

Side view of nesting shelf with roof

Nesting shel dimensions and mounting height

Bird species Floordimensions(in)

Frontheight(in)

Mountingheight(t)

American robin 6 by 8 8 6 to 15

Eastern phoebe 6 by 6 6 8 to 12

Barn swallow 6 by 6 6 8 to 12

Place shel on side o building with vertical or horizontal brackets.


20/29


20

Pole to be rock mountedor placed in the ground 5 ft

4- by 4-ft frame/nest platform(precise size optional)

56 ft

2 by 6 in or 2 by 8 in

by 4 ft

2 by 8 in or 2 by 10 inby 4 ft (rough pine or spruce)

Slats of base of original

hardwood pallet

2- by 4-in support braces

Wooden pole 1530 ft aboveground(preferably with guide wires)

4-in metal predator guard

>

Figure 4 Nesting platorm design


21/29


21

48 in

22-in wash tubfor nesting area

2 by 6 into hold soil

Foam bricks Side view

Fill the spaces between the logs on top of the hardware cloth withsoil or peat (34 inches) and plant with sedges, rushes or marsh fern.

Place an armful of hay in the center nesting area on top of soil to form nest.A 22-inch diameter wash tub can be used as a nesting area, provided a 6-inchsquare hole is cut in the side to facilitate escape of goslings.

Escape slot in side of wash tub(at least 6-in wide and 4-in high notch)

Nesting area

Top view

610-in diameter cedar log

2 by 6 in

Hardware clothstapled on top ofbottom three logs

48 in

Soil

Hardware cloth

610-in diameter cedar log

Construction notes:

Figure 5 Floating platorm


22/29


22

Cone

Top view of 1-1/2-inch pipeshowing brace locations

Add straw or hay nesting material before the nesting season.

Waterfowl nesting cylinder, or hen house

Materials needed:

7-foot piece of 2- by 2-inch mesh-welded plastic coated garden fencing (36 inches wide).

1- by 6-inch by 3-foot treated board.

Pipe flange attached to the bottom center of the board which is driven into themarsh to stand 3 feet above the water.

4-foot by 1-inch steel pipe screwed into the flange.

Marsh hay. If marsh hay is not available when rolling the wire into a cylinder, use

ditch grass or horse hay such as a timothy orchardgrass mixture. Do not use straw.

When wire is rolled, a cylinder which is 36 inches long by approximately 12 inches in diameter

should be produced.

Mixed hay

Attach cylinderto platform wire

Wire fencingwith mixed hay

Platform

Fencing wire

Brace

1-1/2 in

1-1/2 in

1-1/2 in

18in

18in

20in

Waterfowl nestingbasket

Figure 6 Waterowl nesting basket and cylinder, or hen house


23/29


23

Roof supports

Spacers

Landing area

Bat Conservation International

Vent

Side view

Bottom view

Step 1 Measure and mark all wood as per cutting diagrams. Cut out all parts.

Step 2 Cut six pieces o netting 14 by 21 inches. Staple to partitions.Step 3 Screw back to sides, caulking rst. Be sure top angles match.

Step 4 Cut a piece o netting 16 by 30 inches and staple to inside surace o the back. Be sure netting lies fat

and does not pucker.

Step 5 Construct house as per drawings. Place spacers on partitions, screw top ront piece to sides, then

screw bottom ront piece to sides to create a hal-inch vent between the two pieces. Attach supports,

attach roo.

Step 6 Caulk between roo and sides, sides and ront pieces, and sides and back pieces to seal the nursery

house tight.

Figure 7 Bat house design


24/29


24

BackRoof

Roof

Front

(bottom)

Front(upper)

Front(upper) F

ront

(bottom)

Back

Roof supports

Roof supports

23 in

5 in

20 in

20 in

20 in

20 in

25 in

23 in

25 in

6 by 1/2 in

5 in

4 in

16 in

16 in

5 in

10 in

10 in

16 in

16 in

17-1/2 in 6-1/2 in 6-1/2 in17-1/2 in

17 in

4- by 4-foot by 1/2-inch plywood

4- by 4-foot by 1/4-inch plywood

Spacers:

5-inch spacersback bottom

10-inch spacersback top

20-inch spacers

Extra material

25 degree bevel

5-1/2 in 5-1/2 in17 in

16 in

Partition

Partition

16 in

Partition

Partition

16 in

16 in 16 in 16 in

1-inch by 6-inch by

8-foot sheeting

16 in

Partition

Partition

30-1/2in 2

0i

n

17-1/2in

Side

Side

Side

Side

21

-1/2in

21-1/2in

1- by 6-inch by8-foot sheeting

1/2 in

6 by 1/2 in

6 by 1/2 in

Figure 7 Bat house designContinued


25/29


25

15

in

15

in

16

in

15

in16

in

6

in Floor

Roof2-inch metal polemay also be used

4-by

4-inc

edarp

ole

Spacingblocks

Side

Side

10 in

12 in

Lag bolt

8 in

Front viewSide view

10 in

15

in

9-1/2

in

16

in

15

in

Back

Front

8 in

Lumber: One 1-inch by 10-inch

by 7-foot rough lumber

Figure 8 Wood duck nest box design


26/29


26

Figure 9 Nest box design or American kestrel, boreal owl, northern saw-whet owl, screech owl, ox squirrel, graysquirrel, and red squirrel

7-3/4 in

6 in

5in

11-1/2in

1

6in

1/4-in holes

3-in diameter holeHinge or cleat

roof for cleaning.

Wire top shut.

Place 3 inches of sawdust

in bottom of box.

Side

(2)

1/4-in holes

16in

22in

12in

7-3/4in

9-1/4 in


22 in

9-1/4in

9-1/4 in

Front

Back

Side Side Front Top Floor

16 in 16 in 16 in 12 in

Back

Floor

Top

Waste

Minnesota Department o Natural Resources


27/29


27

Figure 10 Barn owl nest box design based on T. Homan, Using Barn Owls or Rodent Control

6 in16

in

1/2

in

16 in

5/8-in drain holes

1/4- by 4-in lag screw

Fasteningscrew

16in

3/4-in

vent

holes

A barn owl nest box. The 24-inch cube requires 1-1/2 sheets o hal-inch

plywood.


28/29


28

Figure 11 Nest box design or eastern bluebird, great crested fycatcher, and tree swallow

2-1/4

in

13-1/2

in

Note: These dimensions assume a 3/4-inch-thick board.

Some cedar boards are 7/8 inches thick. If so, the floor

must be 3-3/4 inches wide, not 4 inches wide.

Note: Entrance hole for

great crested flycatcher

should be a round hole

1-3/4 inches in diameter.


8-1/4 in13-1/2 in

5-1/2

in

Roof Front SideSide Floor

9 in 9 in 9 in 4 in

WasteBack

Pivot nail

in back

Pivot nail

in front

Use one nail or screw at bottom to

close side. Nail or screw holds side

closed.

Two pivot nails allow side to swing

out for cleaning.

6

in

1/4-in holes

9

in

8-1/4

in

4

in

5-1/2 in

5-1/2 in

5-1/2 in

5-1/2 in

Front

Roof

Back

Floor

9

in

5-1/2 in

1-3/8 in

2-1/4 in

Side

(2)

Up

Minnesota Department o Natural Resources


29/29


This leafet is a revision o a leafet that was developed cooperatively by the Wildlie Habitat Council (WHC)

and the U.S. Department o Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Agricultural

Wildlie Conservation Center (AWCC) (ormally Wildlie Management Institute) and ormatted or printed or

electronic distribution in April 2004. The original leafet was authored Holly L. May (WHC), and reviewed bySheryl Ducommon (Bat Conservation International), Rob Pauline (WHC), Charlie Rewa (AWCC), and Tina

Phillips (Cornell Laboratory o Ornithology). The revised leafet was edited by Bill Hohman (NRCS), Lynn

Owens (NRCS), and Suzi Sel (NRCS), and the gures were redrawn by Wendy Pierce (NRCS).

www.nrcs.usda.gov


8737 Colesville Road, Suite 800

Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 5888994

The mission o the Wildlie Habitat Council

is to increase the amount o quality wildlie

habitat on corporate, private, and public land.

WHC engages corporations, public agencies,

and private, nonprot organizations on a

voluntary basis as one team or the recovery,

development, and preservation o wildlie

habitat worldwide.

www.wildliehc.org

The U.S. Department o Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the

basis o race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, amilial status, pa-

rental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic inormation, political belies, reprisal, or because all or a part

o an individuals income is derived rom any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all

programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means or communication o program inorma-

tion (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDAs TARGET Center at (202) 7202600 (voice and

TDD). To le a complaint o discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Oce o Civil Rights, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 202509410, or call (800) 7953272 (voice) or (202) 7206382 (TDD). USDA is an

equal opportunity provider and employer.

Natural Resources Conservation

Service

Mailing address:

P.O. Box 2890

Washington, DC 20013

Street address:14th and Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20250

The Natural Resources Conservation Service

provides leadership in a partnership eort to

help people conserve, maintain, and improve

our natural resources and environment.

artifical nesting

Documents