How to Build a Box for Barn Owls

Nesting boxes will attract barn owls.

Barn owls will readily use nest boxes as long as they're set up near terrain that is suitable for the species. In the wild, barn owls seek breeding sites in the vicinity of farms, old buildings and church towers. They prefer to be near open fields so they can hunt. Locate the box in an area where owls have been recently spotted. Place the box in a high area, such as in a barn or on a silo. Barn owls will often return to a nesting box the following season.

Things You'll Need

• 4 by 8-foot sheet of 1/2-inch plywood
• Saw (hand, power or circular)
• Drill with 1/4 or 1/2 inch bit
• Carpenter's glue
• 40 finishing nails
• 2 metal hooks with screws
• Metal brace with screws
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. Cut four pieces of wood from the plywood sheet that measure 18-by-22 inches each. These pieces will form the sides, back and front of the owl-nesting box.

2. Cut a 10-by-10 inch hole in the section of plywood that will be the front of the box. This will serve as the box entrance.

3. Cut two pieces of wood that measure 22-by-23 inches each. These will form the top and the bottom of the owl nesting box.

4. Drill nine drain holes 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter the piece of wood that is the bottom of the box. Space the holes so they form a 3-by-3 grid.

5. Glue the side sections of the box to the bottom. Position the top section over the box and glue it into place. Allow the glue to dry.

6. Hammer the pieces together with nails to further secure them. Nail the sides together first. Nail the bottom to the sides. Nail the top to the sides. Leave a 7-inch space between the nails.

7. Position the box inside a barn, or nail it directly near the top of an outside area of the barn.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety goggles when cutting the wood.

• The box can also be hung from a metal brace. Use screws to attach wire hooks to the back of the box. Screw the metal brace to a barn or silo, and attach the owl box to it.

References

• Missouri Department of Conservation: Barn Owl Nest Box
• Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society: Building Barn Owl Boxes
• "Owls;" John Sparks and Tony Soper; 1989