Barn Owl
Barn Owl
Construction Difficulty
complex
Download Nest Structure Plan
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Nesting Habitat
Attach Nest Box To
Known Nesting Period
Not Nesting
Some Nesting Occurrence
Nesting in Most of Range
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Nest Box Placement
Height Range From Ground
8ft
25ft
Spacing Between Nest Boxes
Facing
AnyNest Box Measurements
Entrance Hole Size
Nest Box Depth (inside)
Nest Box Width and Length
Helpful Tips
- Prefers open habitats, such as agricultural fields.
- Barn Owls are very sensitive during the early phases of nesting (April–May) and will abandon a nest if disturbed.
- Boxes can be placed in a variety of structures, including barns, silos, granaries, grain elevators, and church steeples, or mounted on a free-standing pole.
- When siting your Barn Owl box, keep in mind that hungry owlets can be noisy when clamoring for food. Take care not to place the box too near your home, or they might keep you awake at night.
- Clean out the old nest materials when the owls are not nesting; December is generally a good time.
- It is not necessary to add any materials after cleaning; the owls will create their own nesting substrate from shredded pellets. However, you can add a layer of wood shavings about 3/4" deep to the box if you would like.
- Avoid the use of rodenticides to control rodents, and allow the owls to help with pest control.