How to Build a Home for a Barn Owl

The barn owl is the most common species of owl. Brown and buff on top and white underneath, it is about the size of a crow. Barn owls live in barns, attics and the hollows of the trees and they hunt rodents in woods and deserted spots. Barn owls are easily caught and can be kept in homes that reproduce the conditions of their natural nests.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum sheet metal
• Thin wooden beam or lathe
• Small piece of carpeting
• Small pieces of plywood
• Mesh or screen

Instructions

1. To build a home for a barn owl, begin with a piece of aluminum sheet metal. Barn owls normally nest in out-of-the way cavities in trees, barns or attics. The bird and its young are well-hidden during the day. Take the sheet of aluminum and roll it into a tube of about 15 inches in diameter. The tube itself should be about twice as long as it is wide--in this case about 30 inches long. Cut off any excess length. Next, cut out a circle (6 inches in diameter), about 10 inches in from what will be the front end of the tube nest. This will be the entrance to the nest.

2. Get another small section of aluminum sheet metal. Fold this into a tube the same width as the nest entrance. Make this entrance tube about 4 inches long. Insert it into the opening on the nest and secure with screws or glue. Cut out a semicircle of plywood 6 inches high and 15 inches wide. Trim the piece to match the curvature of the barn owl nest tube. Insert the piece on the floor of the tube approximately 10 inches from what will be the back end of the nest (you can choose either end). Glue it in place. This piece of plywood serves as partial partition between the front area of the nest and the portion in which the owl will lay its eggs.

3. Cut a piece of carpeting to match the the size of the breeding area in your barn owl nest. The carpeting should fit neatly into the area at the back of the tube and will serve as the floor of the nest. Use a low-pile carpeting. Large loops or long threads will snag the birds' talons. Take the nest tube and stand it up on a small piece of plywood. Trace the shape of the tube end onto the plywood. Cut out this circle of plywood.

4. Use this circle of plywood as a form to create a second, identical piece of plywood. These will be the 2 sides of the owl's nest. Cut an additional small circle into the upper portion of one of these pieces of plywood. This circle should be about 4 inches in diameter. Trim a piece of mesh or screen and secure it over this small circle. This is a vent.

5. Insert and secure the circular pieces of plywood at either end of the barn owl nest tube. The piece with the vent goes at the end opposite to the breeding area. Cut a length of thin beam or lathe to attach to the top of the tube. This should be long enough to securely mount the nest. Attach the piece of wood to the top of the tube. If the nest tube is to be exposed to the elements you may want to cover it with a roof. This can be either flat or gabled.

6. Make the roof from another piece or two of aluminum sheet metal. Use a gabled roof in a rainy area and a flat roof in a very dry area. Attach the mounting beam on top of the roof. Place the carpeting on the floor of the breeding area. Cut a narrow strip of carpeting and place it at the front of the entrance tube. This will serve as a comfortable landing place. Hang your nest up by the mounting beam. It should be at least 12 feet above the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Place your barn owl home in an accessible but hidden location. Try to find a spot that matches the bird's natural habitat.

Resources

• Bird Central owl houses
• Birds 1st Choice owl houses
• All About Birds barn owl facts