Bird House Dimensions
There are different bird house dimensions for different species. To attract the
species you desire you will need to construct your bird house with specific
sizes for the box itself, entrance holes and the species desired height
placement above ground. Using the correct bird house dimensions will also help
to exclude undesirable species, i.e. house sparrows and starlings.
The table below will give you the recommended bird house plans/nest box sizes for various species:
Bird House Dimensions
| SPECIES |
FLOOR (IN) |
HEIGHT (IN) |
HOLE DIAMETER (IN) |
HOLE
ABOVE FLOOR (IN) |
BOX ABOVE
GROUND (FT) |
|
Chickadees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chickadees
&
Tits |
4x4 |
6-10 |
1 1/8 |
4-8 |
6-15 |
|
Titmouse |
4x4 |
6-12 |
1 1/4 |
4-10 |
6-15 |
|
Ducks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wood Duck |
10x18 |
10-24 |
4 |
12-16 |
6-20 |
|
Flycatchers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ash-Throated |
6x6 |
8-12 |
1 1/2 |
6-10 |
5-15 |
|
Great Crested |
6x6 |
8-12 |
1 3/4 |
6-10 |
5-15 |
|
Falcons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Kestrel |
8x8 |
12-15 |
3 |
9-12 |
8-30 |
|
Hawks/Buteos |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red-tailed
Hawk* |
24x24 platform |
- |
- |
- |
at least 14 |
|
Nuthatches |
|
|
|
|
|
| Brown-headed, Pygmy & Red-breasted |
4x4 |
8-10 |
1
1/4 |
6-8 |
5-15 |
| White Breasted |
4x4 |
8-10 |
1
3/8 |
6-8 |
5-15 |
|
Ospreys |
|
|
|
|
|
| Osprey* |
48x48 platform |
- |
- |
- |
at least 15 over
water** |
|
Owls |
|
|
|
|
|
| Barn |
10x18 |
15-18 |
6 |
4 |
12-18 |
|
Great Horned Owl* |
24x24 platform |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Screech |
8x8 |
12-15 |
3 |
9-12 |
8-30 |
|
Phoebes |
|
|
|
|
|
| Phoebes* |
6x6
nest shelf |
6 |
- |
- |
8-12 |
|
Swallows |
|
|
|
|
|
| Barn* |
6x6 nest shelf |
6 |
- |
- |
8-12 |
| Purple Martin |
6x6 |
6 |
2 1/4 |
1-2 |
6-20 |
|
Tree & Violet Green |
5x5 |
6-8 |
1 1/2 |
4-6 |
6-15 |
|
Thrushes/
Bluebirds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Robin* |
7x8 nest shelf |
8 |
- |
- |
6-15 |
|
Eastern Blue Bird |
5x5 |
6-12 |
1 1/2 |
4-10 |
4-10 |
|
Western Blue Bird |
5x5 |
6-12 |
1 1/2 |
4-10 |
4-10 |
|
Mtn Blue Bird |
5x5 |
6-12 |
1 9/16 |
4-10 |
4-10 |
|
Woodpeckers |
|
|
|
|
|
| Downy |
4x4 |
8-10 |
1
1/4 |
6-8 |
5-15 |
| Hairy |
6x6 |
12-15 |
1
1/2 |
9-12 |
8-20 |
| Lewis's |
7x7 |
16-18 |
2
1/2 |
14-16 |
12-20 |
| Flicker |
7x7 |
16-18 |
2
1/2 |
14-16 |
6-20 |
| Pileated |
8x8 |
16-24 |
3x4 |
12-20 |
15-25 |
| Red-headed |
6x6 |
12-15 |
2 |
9-12 |
10-20 |
| Yellow-bellied |
5x5 |
12-15 |
1
1/2 |
9-12 |
10-20 |
|
Warblers |
|
|
|
|
|
| Prothonotory |
5x5 |
6 |
1
1/8 |
4-5 |
4-8 |
|
Wrens |
|
|
|
|
|
|
House |
4x4 |
6-8 |
1 1/4 |
4-6 |
5-10 |
|
Carolina |
4x4 |
6-8 |
1 1/2 |
4-6 |
5-10 |
|
Bewick's |
4x4 |
6-8 |
1 1/4 |
4-6 |
5-10 |
Bird house plans on eBay from sellers with excellent feedback:
*These species species use a nesting shelf (3 sides and an open front) or a platform instead of a closed-box
design.
**If the Osprey platform is placed inland, the height should always exceed the
height of any nearby trees or 20 feet whichever is greater.
For more specific designs and step by step instructions, go to these pages:
Bluebird
House Plans
Purple Martin Bird House Plans
Robin & Phoebe Bird House Plans
American Kestrel Nest Box Plans
And for tips on bird house
construction and materials go to:
Making Bird
Houses - Construction Tips
Hope you enjoy
building your bird house and its future occupants!
Bird House Plans Main Page
Return to
Top of Bird House Dimensions
Birdwatching
Bliss Home
bird house
dimensions|bird house hole size|bird house plans
|