Notes

How to Build a Great Horned Owl Nest Box
There are few things more evocative of wildness than the deep, dignified hoots of a Great Horned Owl on a cold winter night. This apex predator of the northern woods defends its territory from noisy birds like chickadees and jays that want to steal their roost or kill their prey, and it hunts everything from rabbits to porcupines with deadly accuracy.

But despite their amazing adaptations, these avian predators are not immune to the threats that face all birds, including climate change, which is expected to shrink their breeding and nesting range by as much as 40 percent by 2050. That’s why Audubon is partnering with more than 140 million people through our Birds and Climate Change project to help them take action on behalf of the birds they love.

Since great horned owls cannot build their own nests, they either use a natural cavity or the open end of a snag, or they claim other birds’ nests such as those of crows or hawks. This year, the Arboretum will mount a half dozen owl boxes throughout our landscape with the goal of increasing nest availability for this species. Although they may not look appealing, human-made nest boxes, baskets, and platforms help many species lay eggs, incubate them, and raise young to fledging.

While constructing the box, make sure it is weatherproof with a solid roof that slopes back, a recessed floor piece, and drainage holes. The interior should be lined with 2 to 3 inches of untreated pine shavings, and the entrance hole should be about 12 to 18 inches above ground level. You can also mount a flat perch on the inside of the box, but it’s best to leave that off for a good reason: a perch is likely to attract mice and other predators to the nest and increase predation.

Assemble the box with corrosion resistant screws fitted to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes, and mount it 14’ or higher on a post or structure at the edge of a wooded area. If the box is in a vineyard, keep it at least 100’ away from where grapes are mechanically harvested to avoid any interference with operations. The owl box will also need to be placed well away from any tractors used for vineyard harvesting, as the droppings (pellets) can contain rodent fur and bones that may carry disease.

Once the box is in place, it should remain undisturbed from egg laying through young fledging until late April or May. To avoid any disturbance, don’t photograph or videotape the active nest. And if you happen to spot one, please refrain from visiting the site and/or sharing photos of it on social media until the chicks have fledged.

For a step-by-step guide on how to construct a great horned owl box, visit the Georgia Wild website, and be sure to watch the video above. Then share bán yến tinh chế 50g to support backyard wildlife and native habitat with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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