Attracting owls to your property offers a way to support local wildlife and benefit from natural pest control. Owls are effective predators of rodents, making them valuable inhabitants of various landscapes, from rural areas to suburban backyards. Providing a suitable owl box can offer these nocturnal birds a safe nesting and roosting site, especially where natural cavities are scarce. Encouraging their presence contributes to the ecological balance of your environment.
Choosing the Right Owl Box
The type of owl box you select depends on the owl species you aim to attract. Different owl species, such as Barn Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls, or Barred Owls, have varying size and entry hole requirements. For instance, a Barn Owl box might be around 38 inches tall, 18 inches deep, and 12 inches wide, with an oval or square entry hole approximately 6×7 inches, positioned about 6 inches above the box floor. Screech-owl boxes are smaller, around 16 inches deep with a 3-inch diameter entrance hole.
The owl box should be made of untreated wood (fir, cedar, or pine). It should be sturdy to withstand weather and support an owl family. Drainage holes (1/4 to 1/2 inch) are necessary in the bottom to prevent water accumulation. An internal “ladder” or roughened interior helps young owls climb.
Adding 1-2 inches of wood shavings, like pine or fir, to the bottom of the box provides nesting material, as owls do not build their own nests. Avoid cedar, sawdust, or fine dust as bedding.
Ideal Box Placement
Strategic placement of the owl box is important for successful attraction. The height above ground is important; for Barn Owls, a height of 12 to 18 feet is recommended, while screech owl boxes can be placed around 10 feet high. Mounting the box on a sturdy pole or the side of a barn can be effective, especially if predator guards are also installed. Placing boxes directly on trees might attract non-target species like squirrels or increase predation risk from climbing animals like raccoons.
Box orientation influences appeal. While Barn Owls may use boxes facing any direction, it is best to face the entrance away from prevailing winds, ideally north or east, to minimize sun exposure and overheating. The box opening should face an open area, like a field or clearing, for clear flight paths. Avoid areas with high human activity or dense tree cover to ensure owls feel secure.
Enhancing the Surrounding Environment
Beyond the owl box, habitat plays an important role in attracting owls. Owls are predators, and their presence links directly to prey availability, primarily rodents like mice, voles, and rats. Maintaining rough grassland or unmanicured property sections encourages small mammal populations, providing a consistent food supply. This natural pest management benefits both owls and the ecosystem.
Avoid using rodenticides or other chemical pesticides, as these can harm owls through secondary poisoning. When an owl consumes a poisoned rodent, the toxins can accumulate in the owl’s system, leading to illness or death. Instead, create a healthy food web that naturally supports prey. Providing water sources, like a large bird bath, can make the area more appealing.
Natural roosting and hunting perches (dead trees, tall posts, or fence tops) attract owls. These elevated positions offer owls vantage points for hunting and resting. Allowing standing dead trees (snags) to remain can provide natural cavities for nesting or roosting, enhancing habitat. Reducing light pollution by limiting outdoor lighting at night encourages owls, as they are nocturnal hunters.
Long-Term Management and Patience
Attracting owls requires consistent management and patience, as success is not always immediate. Owl boxes should be cleaned annually in late fall or early winter (October to December) when unoccupied. Cleaning involves removing old nesting material, regurgitated pellets, and debris, ensuring space for future broods. This is also an opportunity to check for damage and make repairs.
When cleaning, exercise caution and wear protective gear like gloves and a dust mask due to potential exposure to hantavirus from rodent droppings. If you suspect an owl is inside, gently tap the pole or box and observe from a distance before opening it. Monitoring the box from a distance allows you to observe activity without disturbing the owls, helping you understand their usage patterns. Signs of occupancy can include wear marks around the entrance, visible pellets, or vocalizations from young owls.
It may take some time for owls to discover and utilize a new box, sometimes even a year or more. Do not be discouraged if a box is not immediately occupied; continued habitat enhancement and regular maintenance increase the likelihood of attracting owls over time. The presence of owls can provide ongoing natural pest control, making the effort worthwhile.