Fall, 1992 (v5n1)
There are many different
methods of constructing barn owl nest boxes. Almost any closed box with
a suitable hole in the front will suffice. Boxes can be installed in trees
or on tall poles; they can even be placed inside barn walls, with a hole
in the wall serving as the entrance.
In Trees. The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has produced plans and instruction for building barn owl nest boxes in trees (Figure 1). Ideal tree species include oak and sycamore. Boxes should be hung or mounted 15 to 30 feet above ground, using six boxes per square mile. The building material can be 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch plywood, assembled with marine-grade plastic resin or exterior wood glue. The top is hinged to aid cleaning. The entrance is 12 inches tall. Boxes should be painted with drab green, black and brown to reduce human disturbance. A two-inch layer of sawdust or wood chips is placed in the bottom of the box; the shavings are replaced each year.
On Poles. Hilmar farmer Bill Genn has mounted nest boxes 15 to 25 feet high on utility poles. His boxes are 18 to 24 inches in each dimension with a six-inch opening. He faces the open end to the east away from the sun and prevailing wind. He also uses a double west wall with a couple of inches of space between walls and a shade over the roof to keep the nests cooler. Shavings are placed on the bottom for nesting material.
In Barns. Barn owls,
of course, like to nest in barns. The Illinois Audubon Society recommends
placing nesting boxes inside barn walls, 20 to 25 feet high, with a six-inch
square entrance hole cut into the wall. (See Figure 2.) The barn wall
acts as the front of the box. The top is hinged but kept securely latched.
The box is nailed against the interior barn wall, and if necessary, is
supported with wire or additional boards.
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