Build it, and they will come.
At least, that’s what we hoped. And it worked!
In fact, much of our oddly, often trapezoidal-shaped and irregularly sized scrap wood has turned into various avian nesting boxes, from more mainstream styles to funky, free-form, and rather far-fetched.
This time, Jeremy decided to make a larger birdhouse to attract some type of northern Arizona owl to help keep the healthy local field mouse and pack rat populations in check.
Scrounging a variety of scrap wood pieces, along with some leftover hardware and hinges (and a little help from me), Jer created the following owl abode. As you can see, perfection isn't part of our vocabulary—or skills—but at least one western screech owl doesn't seem to mind.
Embracing a sustainable lifestyle goes beyond reducing our carbon footprint; it's also about creating habitats for our wild, winged neighbors. One way to contribute to local biodiversity is by building a scrap wood owl house.
In our guide to “creative” avian home building, we'll explore the art of crafting an owl nesting box using reclaimed materials. Let's turn scrap wood into a haven for these nocturnal hunters, promoting ecological balance in our own backyards.
Locate a Site for the Owl Box
Selecting the right spot is crucial for the success of your owl house. Owls prefer elevated locations with good visibility, so mount your box on a tree or pole—in our case, it was on top of an old railroad tie fence post (that no longer has a fence) only about seven feet tall—ensuring it faces away from prevailing winds. Our winds generally come from the south/southwest, so we placed the opening of the owl house to the north/northwest.
A field or meadow or the edge of a wooded area is ideal, providing easy access for owls to hunt. They also like to glide to and from their nesting places, so look for a location that has an unobstructed path to the box opening.
Our owl box faces an area that's more open than most of our property, with fewer juniper trees, lots of wild grasses and flowering plants, and plenty of field mice, pack rats, and ground squirrels in residence.
Making an Owl House: Materials to Gather
Basic carpentry tools and hardware will suffice.
Scrap wood: If possible, use untreated, weather-resistant wood. Plywood or cedar scraps work well. We also used a bit of HardieBoard scrap for the roof.
Tools: You'll need a saw, hammer and/or screwdriver, drill, hole saw if you have one, and a variety of nails and/or screws—whatever you have lying around.
Waterproof paint or sealant, paintbrush: Protect your owl house from the elements by applying a non-toxic sealant, stain, or exterior paint.
Hinges and a clasp or screws: Allow easy access for cleaning and replacing nesting material by adding hinges or screws to one side of the box.
Nesting material: More on this below.
DIY Scrap Wood Owl House 101
This is such an easy project; even Jeremy and I can do it! Owl houses don't need to be anything fancy or cost much of anything to build—just like any other type of birdhouse, they need to be the right size to accommodate the type of owl you hope to house.
Design your owl house: Tailor your design to the specific owls in your area. For example, barn owls prefer a simple, open-front design, while screech owls prefer a more enclosed space. Research local owl species to determine the best dimensions and features. (I've added some details for common North American owl species below.)
Cut and assemble: Using your chosen scrap wood, cut pieces according to your design (or you can be like us and see what you can build with as few cuts as possible). Drill out a circular hole (sand or smooth as needed) large enough for the species of owl in your area. Assemble the box, ensuring a snug fit to provide insulation.
Add a perch: Attach a small perch or “grab bar” below the entrance to help owls land and take off more easily. (That’s what the wood piece below the owl box opening is on ours. We put one on the inside of the box also)
Drill ventilation holes: Drill small holes near the top of the box to prevent condensation and maintain a comfortable temperature.
Paint or seal: Apply a waterproof sealant or paint to protect the wood and enhance durability. Opt for earthy tones to blend seamlessly with nature.
Mount: Securely mount the owl house, ideally 10-20 feet above the ground (although ours is lower), ensuring it remains stable in various weather conditions. That's why ours has extra mountain brackets on the bottom, around the top of the old railroad tie.
Add Owl Nesting Material
Unlike some other bird species, owls typically don't bring in their own nesting material. They rely on the structure of the nesting site itself, creating a simple "scrape" or depression in the natural substrate within the nesting cavity. So, providing a layer of suitable nesting material inside your owl box can enhance its comfort and appeal.
To make your owl box more inviting, you can add a thin layer of soft materials such as:
Wood shavings: Add a layer of untreated wood shavings at the bottom of the box. These can mimic the natural environment and offer insulation.
Leaves or pine needles: Dry leaves or pine needles can add a touch of the outdoors to the owl box for a more natural feel.
Straw, hay, or dry grass: A thin layer of straw or hay can also be used as long as, like other nesting material, it stays dry to prevent mold.
Remember to keep the nesting material sparse, as owls prefer a minimalist approach (much like I do). Providing too much material can make the box less appealing to them (yep, mm-hm).
Also, avoid using synthetic materials or anything treated with chemicals, as these can be harmful to the owls. Keep an eye on the nesting material during routine checks, replacing it if it becomes soiled or compacted.
Types of Nesting Boxes for Common Owls
One size and shape doesn't fit all when it comes to owl nesting boxes. There are about 225-250 different species of owl in existence, with about 21 of those in North America. So you'll want to find out which species are common to your area and then build accordingly. Here are some examples of owl species common in the U.S. and the basics of nesting boxes for each: Barn Owl
Owl Size: 12.5-16 in.
Nesting Box: A simple wooden box approximately 24 inches in height, depth, and width provides enough room for a pair of owls and their young, but you can go even bigger, up to three feet square, if you want. Create an opening about 6 inches above the base of the box. The opening can be square or round with a diameter of about 5-6 inches.
Barred Owl
Owl Size: 19-22 in.
Nesting Box: Barred owls prefer upright nesting boxes with a single hole in the center near the top of the box. This mimics the tree hollows where they usually take up residence. A typical barred owl nest box is about 24 inches tall with a floor area about 13 by 13 inches. The entrance hole should be 12 inches from the bottom of the box and have a diameter ranging from 7-10 inches.
Great Horned Owl
Owl Size: 18-25 in
Nesting Box: These large owls like nesting in open boxes or flat platforms instead of cavity-style boxes. The box should be at least 22x22 inches. The entrance should be large enough to allow the owls easy access but small enough to prevent larger predators from entering.
It’s recommended that a nest box for a great horned owl be mounted in a hardwood tree or tall post at least 15 feet above the ground.
Screech Owl
Owl Size: 7-10 inches
Nesting Box: Screech owls prefer upright boxes that mimic tree hollows, whether natural cavities or holes abandoned by other birds, like woodpeckers. A typical screech owl box is about 10 inches wide at the floor, 18 inches tall, and 10-14 inches deep. The entrance hole should be around 3 inches in diameter.
The International Owl Center has some good information on DIY owl nest boxes for various kinds of owls.
Scrap Wood Owl House Dos and Don’ts
If owl houses had to be a very specific size, design, or placement, ours wouldn't have worked as intended or so quickly. That said, we did try our best to follow some scrap wood owl house best practices like these:
Owl House Dos
Face the owl house opening away from prevailing winds.
Mount the owl house in or on the edge of an open area or meadow.
Make the owl box opening large enough for the species you're hoping to attract.
Owl House Don'ts
Avoid light pollution. Owls are sensitive to light. Place your owl house away from bright lights, as this can disturb their nocturnal activities.
Avoid invasive monitoring. While it's important to monitor your owl box, avoid intrusive checks, especially during nesting season. (We always have a good but inexpensive pair of binoculars on hand to watch wildlife comings and goings.) Excessive disturbances can lead to abandonment of the nesting box.
Don't overdo it with nesting material. Just a one-inch layer, at most, of natural material, like leaves or grass, will do.
Make and Monitor a Scrap Wood Owl House in Your Own Backyard
By repurposing scrap wood, you've not only created a sustainable haven for local owls but also contributed to the delicate balance of your local ecosystem. Watching these amazing and mysterious birds take residence in your own handmade owl house is a rewarding experience, reminding us that even small, imperfect efforts can have a big impact. One fun and non-intrusive way we watch our owl house and other bird homes and wandering wildlife at 36-Acre Wood is with a few strategically placed, easy-to-use game cameras. We recommend the Muddy brand trail camera or the Cuddeback, both of which we use with Pale Blue USB rechargeable batteries.
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