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Place a barn owl nest box at least 15-20 feet high, but be sure the opening is shaded from the sun and wind. If the box is mounted on a pole, use a baffle to prevent cats, raccoons, and other predators from reaching it.
How high does a barn owl box need to be?
Information persists on the internet and by word-of-mouth that barn owl nest boxes need be placed at ten or twelve feet or even “as high as possible.” The fact is that barn owls will nest on the ground, in the ground, and have been observed breeding in nest boxes five feet off the ground.
What direction should an owl box face?
Avoid facing the nest box north. Face the entry hole east or south where possible, as the birds like to sit in the entranceway (even during the day) to soak up sunlight.
Where should a barn owl box be placed?
The Barn Owl Box is suitable for mounting in trees or structures although pole mounting is more common. Nest boxes can be attached to a tree, a building such as a barn, or a post away from intense human activity. They should face into an open area away from prevailing winds.
How high up should an owl box be?
Place the box 10 to 15 feet up in a tree. Screech owls don’t build nests inside the box, so make sure you scatter 2 to 3 inches of untreated wood shavings (such as those sold for rabbit bedding at pet stores) at the bottom.
How do you attract owls to an owl box?
Tips for Attracting Owls Install nesting boxes to provide owls with a secure location to set up home. Don’t prune large branches from trees. Put outdoor flood lights on timers. Provide bird baths. Mow the lawn less often to give owls a more appealing hunting ground.
When should you put up an owl box?
Positioning them at least 10-20 feet above the ground, and away from perches for predators is best. Owls nest much earlier than other species, so boxes should be put up by January or February to give the owls plenty of time to find their new home.
How do I keep squirrels out of my owl box?
My first attempt to prevent squirrels from taking over the box had consisted of a 14-inch-wide piece of metal flashing wrapped around the tree trunk both above and below the box. This seemed to deter those pesky intruders for the better part of a year, but the persistence of squirrels can never be doubted.
How do you install a barn owl box?
Two best method of installation is to cut a 17.5″ square in the side of the barn at the desired height, install the support bracket on the interior, and slide the box in from the outside, then attach the front. All that remains visible is the front with its entrance hole, rain guard, and landing ledge.
Which way should a barn owl box face?
Exterior barn owl nestboxes can be fixed to trees or to the outside of buildings. Where possible, they should face onto grassland and be reasonably conspicuous with an open flight path to them. They should not face into the prevailing wind.
What is the range of barn owls?
The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds, being found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and some Pacific Islands.
Do owls eat squirrels?
Squirrels are the perfect small animals for Owls to hunt as they live in trees, close to the owls. Not all owls will eat squirrels. The size of the owl will depend on whether they eat squirrels or not. Smaller squirrels will stick to smaller insects and mammals such as mice.
What attracts owls to your property?
Because owls eat mice, voles, gophers, and similar small rodents, birders who have mice nearby are more likely to attract owls. Leaving grass uncut, adding a brush pile, and leaving seed on the ground will make the yard more mouse-friendly, which in turn makes the habitat more owl-friendly.
Do owls eat cats?
While cats are not on the menu for most owl species, some owls are large enough or desperate enough to consider taking on a domestic cat. Owls have a wide variety of preferred prey, including rodents, fish, other small birds, or almost any small mammal, including occasionally, owls eat cats.
When should I put up my barn owl box?
WHEN TO INSTALL To encourage nesting in any given year, it is probably best to install the new Barn Owl Box before October for the winter nesting season, February at the latest. There is no need to put any nest material inside the box. They should face into an open area away from prevailing winds.
Will squirrels take over owl houses?
January 29, 2010. Squirrels invading Screech Owl nesting boxes are like early stages of a forest fire: If you can fight them early enough, and persistently enough, you have a chance of putting them out. You cannot let the squirrel have a chance to get attached to her new digs.
What is a baffle on an owl box?
This baffle prevents great horned owls from entering the box, or reaching inside the inner box area with their talons. It also provides structural support for the top and high sides that the remainder of the box swings from when opened for cleaning.
