Birdhouse Guidelines

Birdhouse Building Guidelines

Species	Dimensions	Hole	Placement	Color	Notes
Eastern bluebird	5″x 5″ x 8″h.	1-1/2″centered 6″ above floor	5-10′ high in open; sunny area	light earth tones	likes open areas,especially facing a field
Tree swallow	5″ x 5″ x 6″h.	1-1/2″ centered 4″ above floor	5-8′ high in the open; 50-100% sun	light earth tones or gray	within 2 miles of pond or lake
Purple martin	multiple apts. 6″ x 6″ x 6″ ea.	2-1/2″ hole 2-1/4″ above floor	15-20′ high in the open	white	open yard without tall trees; near water
Tufted titmouse	4″ x 4″ x 8″h.	1-1/4″	4-10′ high	light earth tones	prefers to live in or near woods
Chickadee	4″ x 4″ x 8″h. or 5″ x 5″ base	1-1/4″ centered 6″ above floor	4-8′ high	light earth tones	small tree thicket
Nuthatch	4″ x 4″ x 10″h.	1-1/4″ centered 7-1/2″ above floor	12-25′ high on tree trunk	bark-covered or natural
House wren	4″ x 4″ x 8″h. or 4″ x 6″ base	1-1/8″ centered 6″ above floor	5-10′ high on post or hung in tree	light earth tones or white	may fill nest boxes with ‘dummy’ nests
Northern flicker	7″ x 7″ x 18″h.	2-1/2″ centered 14″ above floor	8-20′ high	light earth tones	put 4″ sawdust inside for nesting
Downy woodpecker	4″ x 4″ x 10″h.	1-1/4″ centered 7-1/2″ above floor	12-25′ high on tree trunk	simulate natural cavity	prefers own excavation; provide sawdust
Red-headed woodpecker	6″ x 6″ x 15″h.	2″ centered 6-8″ above floor	8-20′ high on post or tree trunk	simulate natural cavity	needs sawdust for nesting
Wood duck	10″ x 10″ x 24″h.	4″ x 3″ elliptical 20″ above floor	2-5′ high on post over water, or 12-40′ high on tree facing water	light earth tones or natural	needs 3-4″ of sawdust or shavings for nesting
American kestrel	10″ x 10″ x 24″h.	4″ x 3″ elliptical 20″ above floor	12-40′ high on post or tree trunk	light earth tones or natural	needs open approach on edge of woodlot or in isolated tree
Screech owl	10″ x 10″ x 24″h.	4″ x 3″ elliptical 20″ above floor	2-5′ high on post over water, or 12-40′ high on tree	light earth tones or natural	prefers open woods or edge of woodlot

Nesting Shelves

Species	Dimensions	Hole	Placement	Color	Notes
American robin	6″ x 6″ x 8″h.	none – needs roof for rain protection	on side of building arbor or in tree	light earth tones or wood	use is irregular
Barn swallow	6″ x 6″ x 8″h.	none – does not need roof	under eaves of building	light earth tones or wood	prefers barns or outbuildings
Phoebe	6″ x 6″ x 8″h.	none – does not need roof	under eaves of building	light earth tones or wood	prefers water nearby

Source: Garden Birds of America by George H. Harrison. Willow Creek Press, 1996.

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