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 Chart By Species

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 1/8	4-6	5-10
Carolina	4x4	6-8	1 1/4	4-6	5-10
Bewick's	4x4	6-8	1 1/8	4-6	5-10

*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.

Using the right dimensions for your bird house is a good start to attract certain species, but you will also want to do a little research as far as placement.

For example, if you install a bluebird house under trees as opposed to an open area, like a grassy meadow, your chances of having occupants will be greatly reduced.

If you follow the links below to specific bird house designs, there are more tips according to species.

Building a Bird House

The video below shows you how to build a bird house from scrap pieces of wood and offers some tips on construction. The ornithologist also explains why the decorative bird houses you buy from your local knickknack store isn't always best for the birds.

Below are some great books on bird house construction, bird house plans, building your own bird houses and bird feeders from beginning to advanced designs:

For more specific designs and step by step instructions, go to these pages:

Bluebird House Plans

Purple Martin Bird House Plans

Gourd Birdhouses

How to Build a Bird House - Hollow Wood Log

Phoebe and Robin Nest Box Plans

American Kestrel Nest Box Plans

Wren House Plans

And for tips on bird house construction and materials go to:

Making Bird Houses - Construction Tips

Install a Bird House Hole Guard

Winter Bird House Plans

Wooden Bird Houses

Bird House Designs

Bird House Plans Main Page

Free Bird House Plans

Hope you enjoy building your bird house and its future occupants!