Birdhouse Guidelines

You'll have birds flocking to your backyard with these simple building 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 apartments 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
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.