2
surroundings are more appealing
than brightly painted boxes and
less likely to draw the attention
of human vandals.
Nest boxes can be mounted in
several ways. They may be
attached to existing wood or
metal fence posts, power or
telephone poles, existing trees, or
on wood or metal posts or pieces
of pipe used specifically for this
purpose. Utility poles are often
suitable for mounting nest boxes;
however, permission should be
obtained from the utility
companies before this is done.
Discretion should also be used
before mounting to trees. Do not
place bird boxes designed for
bluebirds on trees because this
invites competition from too
many other species.
Predator-proofing should be
considered for all bird nest boxes
that are not mounted on steel
fence posts or pipe. A piece of
sheet metal, tin, or used
aluminum plates from newspaper
offices serve well to prevent
predators from climbing wooden
posts. Sheets should be stapled
or screwed on around the outside
of the wood post at least 12"
high. The bottom of the guard
should be at least 2 ft. above
ground level.
Do not put perches on any bird
houses. Only the unwanted house
sparrows and starlings prefer
perches. If house sparrows or
starlings begin nesting in a bird
house, tear out the nest material
as these species are not
protected by state or federal law.
Nests may need to be removed
numerous times before these
birds abandon their efforts.
Good sanitation and
maintenance of the nest box at
the end of the breeding season
are your best defenses against
ectoparasites and other insects.
To repel blowflies, wasps and ants
during the breeding season, some
researchers recommend using a
pyrethrin insecticide as the
safest pesticide.
Contents
Tree Swallow and Eastern Bluebird .............................................. 3
Peterson Bluebird House ............................................................... 4
House Wren, Black-capped Chickadee,
White-breasted Nuthatch .............................................................. 7
American Robin and Barn Swallow .............................................. 8
Northern Flicker............................................................................. 9
American Kestrel, Northern Screech-owl,
Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Fox Squirrel...................................... 10
Small Bat House ............................................................................ 11
Johnson Bat House ........................................................................ 12
Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser .............................................. 13
Raccoon and Common Merganser ................................................ 14
Entrance Hole Sizes for Duck, Merganser
and Raccoon Nest Boxes............................................................... 15
Entrance Hole Sizes for Songbird,
Woodpecker, and Squirrel Nest Boxes ......................................... 16
Canada Goose Nest Platform......................................................... 17
Mallard Nest Basket ...................................................................... 18
Mourning Dove Nest Basket .......................................................... 19
Great Blue Heron Nest Platform .................................................... 20
Written by Chris Grondahl & John Dockter,
North Dakota State Game & Fish Department.
Special thanks to Carrol Henderson of the Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources for the nesting box and platform plans and to the
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.
WindStar Wildlife Institute is a national, non-profit,
conservation organization whose mission is to help individuals and families
establish or improve the wildlife habitat on their proper ties.
For more information or for the name of a Master Wildlife Habitat
Naturalist in your area, please contact:
WindStar Wildlife Institute
10072 Vista Ct. • Myersville, MD 21773
Phone: 301-293-3351
E-mail: wildlife@windstar.org
http://www.windstar.org
