Shelter and Nesting Boxes for Various Species of Wildlife

In addition to food and water, shelter or cover is a critical component to any animal’s habitat. Many species of animals require cavities in which to raise their young: bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, woodpeckers, flycatchers, Screech Owls, American Kestrels, nuthatches, Purple Martins, wrens, and Wood Ducks. Others seek out cavities for shelter: grey squirrels, flying squirrels, mason bees, bats, rabbits, opossums, and skunks.

Before selecting a bird house, check the specifications for the species you hope to attract. Many houses are built similarly, but small differences in hanging height and hole size differ between species. Depending on the target species, there are certain requirements, as follow.

Bluebirds

Eastern Bluebird numbers have decreased by ninety percent in the eastern United States over the past sixty years. Many have attributed this to competition with nonnative species, the loss of trees with nesting cavities, and the prevalence of insecticides. Anyone can assist this species by avoiding the use of pesticides, leaving dead or dying trees which will provide nesting habitat, and adding nest boxes. Nest boxes should be hung by the end of February in open areas, facing south or southeast, located away from structures, mounted on posts with the addition of a predator baffle.

Purple Martins

Plans can be found online for martin houses. They should be places in open areas, 30-40 feet from structures or trees (allow more distance if the surrounding trees are taller than the martin house), 12-20 feet high. Add a predator baffle, and remove House Sparrow and European Starling nests if they begin to build in the house. Each fall, clean thoroughly by lowering house, removing old nests, and washing out with soap and water. The house can be stored or the holes plugged, just make sure it is replaced or reopened by mid-March.

Purple Martins will also use gourd houses. Hang them on a high pole from a cable, 12-20 feet high, in a cluster of a minimum of ten gourds. Gourds can be grown or purchased. Drill a few small holes in the bottom for drainage, and do not add an outside perch.

Woodpeckers

Hang the nest box in a wooded location, and fill the nest box with wood chips/shavings (not cedar).

Northern Flickers

Place in a semi-open, partly sunny area, 6-20 feet high, with the hole facing away from prevailing weather. Hang before March 1, and fill the box with wood chips/shavings (not cedar) (Audubon May-June 2002).

Flycatchers

Locate nest boxes on the edge of a wooded area, preferably near water. Add one to two inches of wood chips (not cedar) in early spring (Audubon March 2003).

American Kestrels

Hang boxes in open meadows and fields with short surrounding vegetation and perches nearby where they can hunt from. Avoid affixing to west-facing surfaces. Make sure the entrance to the box is clear, and locate in an area with minimum human disturbance (HawkWatch International “Species Profile – American Kestrel”).

Wood Ducks

These nest boxes should ideally be located within a few hundred feet of a body of water, or even over water on a post (eight to ten feet above the water’s surface). They can be attached high in a tree, but well away from the trunk, and benefit from a predator shield.

Bats

Insectivorous bats can eat half of their body weight in one night (this can equal over 3,000 mosquitos per bat per night!), so attract them in order to control insects around the home. Many use hibernation caves in the winter, then spend the summer in trees, buildings, and bat boxes. As the number of hollow trees are diminishing in residential areas, they rely more on bat boxes. Hang them in fall or winter, ten feet off of the ground in a location that receives morning sun (United States Fish and Wildlife Service publication). In cool climates, paint the box black to absorb heat; in warm climates, paint them white to reflect heat; elsewhere leave them unpainted. Always use rough, untreated wood, which allows them to cling to the sides. Contrary to popular thought, bats are rarely aggressive and less than one percent contract rabies. Many species are currently listed as threatened or endangered.

Rabbits, Opossums, Skunks

To offer shelter for these medium sized mammals, build artificial underground burrows. Ideally they are around 18 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches, made of unpainted lumber a minimum of ® inch thick. Bury the box so the top is level with the ground, add a removable top, and cover it with vegetation to minimize light entering the burrow. A bottom is not necessary. Create two entrances into the box, one on either end, five to six inches wide. Bury pipes at a 45 degree angle from the ground’s surface to the openings at the bottom of the box to allow entry into the burrow, making sure they fit snugly. Locate the box in a well-drained area, near cover, to encourage use.

Plans for any kind of nest box can easily be found online, such as these nestboxes.