Screech owl nest box - size question

[Peter Thoem]

Has anyone got any experience with Screech Owl nest-cavity requirements?

I’m about to make a nest box for Screech Owls using I”X 6” cedar boards that I have available. Allowing for overlap and actual vs. nominal dimensions my boards would create an internal floor area of about 25 sq. in. which strikes me as a pretty decent space (and would be a good sized cavity in a tree). 

When I look at any on-line plans they all specify 1”x 10” lumber which obviously makes for a much more voluminous box. Does floor size matter? 

Attracting Screech Owls is probably a bit of a long-shot anyway but I'm sure my smaller box would suit other species.

Alternatively, if anyone has nest box(es) they no longer want or which need restoration, I’d take a couple.

Peter Thoem

Burlington ON.

I've just been birding.  Read about it on My Bird of the Day

[Deborah Lindeman]

Hi Peter,

It just so happens that my husband made up drawings of our screech-owl house this weekend for our friend, Lyn.  We have had it up for about 12 years and have had a tenant most winters.  We have our house mounted on a pole in our backyard.  Unfortunately, they've always left before the end of winter so we've never had a family raised in there so we wonder if it is big enough.  

Good luck attracting owls to your box.  If there are mature trees in your neighbourhood, they are probably around.

Debbie

P.S.  Can you tell that my husband is an engineer?  ☺

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