The presence of an owl on your property offers a natural and efficient form of pest control, as these raptors primarily hunt rodents like voles, mice, and rats. Beyond this practical benefit, observing the silent flight and nocturnal behavior of an owl is a rewarding experience for any nature enthusiast. Attracting these birds involves carefully modifying your outdoor space to provide the three essentials: reliable shelter, a consistent food supply, and a safe environment free from common hazards. The key to successful attraction is creating a balanced ecosystem that supports the entire food chain. By tailoring your landscape and structures to meet the specific needs of local owl species, you can greatly increase the likelihood of them establishing a territory near your home.
Creating Suitable Roosting and Nesting Structures
Providing dedicated shelter is one of the most direct methods for encouraging owls to take up residence. This shelter can be natural, in the form of dense evergreen trees, or artificial, such as a constructed nest box or platform. Owls seek out locations that offer protection from the weather and predators, as they are largely diurnal sleepers.
For artificial structures, the placement and size of the box must be specific to the target species. A Barn Owl box, for instance, should be mounted at least twelve feet off the ground and placed near open hunting fields. The entrance hole should be approximately five and a half to six inches in diameter and positioned at least sixteen inches above the floor to prevent premature fledging. Conversely, a larger Barred Owl box should be placed higher, between fifteen and thirty feet, often within a mature, wooded area, with an entrance hole closer to seven inches. To prevent overheating, use light-colored or unpainted wood for the exterior of the box.
Managing the Property for Natural Prey
Owls are attracted to properties that offer a consistent and easily accessible supply of small mammals, which are their primary food source. Encouraging a healthy population of voles and mice involves maintaining specific landscape features that provide cover for these rodents. Leaving an area of the property unmanicured, with long grasses or brush piles, creates the ideal habitat for small prey species.
Brush piles offer rodents a secure place to nest and forage, making the area a predictable hunting ground for nocturnal raptors. Bird feeders can also inadvertently support the prey base, as spillage of seeds onto the ground attracts mice and voles. If you use bird feeders, allowing the spilled seeds to remain creates a localized feeding spot for the rodents that the owls will then target.
It is important to manage other outdoor food sources that might attract larger scavengers or competitors. Pet food should not be left outside overnight, and trash bins must be secured to prevent attracting animals that may compete with or prey upon the owls. While supporting the rodent population, any snap traps or other mechanical controls near potential owl habitat should be avoided, as the goal is to provide a viable food source.
Eliminating Hazards and Sources of Disturbance
A safe environment is as important as food and shelter for establishing an owl territory. The most significant danger to owls is secondary poisoning from rodenticides, especially second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). When an owl consumes a rodent that has ingested this poison, the toxins accumulate in the owl’s system, leading to internal bleeding and death. Eliminating the use of all forms of rodent poison on your property is paramount to protecting these predatory birds.
Other common hazards include netting and lighting. Fine-mesh netting, such as that used to protect fruit trees, can easily entangle an owl during its silent night flight, causing severe injury or death. If netting must be used, it should be highly visible or replaced with a solid barrier. Owls are sensitive to light pollution; bright, excessive outdoor lighting can disrupt their hunting patterns, as they prefer dark conditions to stalk their prey.
During nesting season, minimize noise and human activity near any established or potential nest sites. Excessive noise or direct disturbance can cause nesting pairs to abandon their eggs or young. Ensuring that the nest box or dense roosting area remains a quiet sanctuary is crucial for successful breeding.
Identifying Common Local Owl Species
Tailoring your attraction efforts requires knowing which of the widely distributed North American species you are most likely to encounter. The Barn Owl is a highly efficient rodent hunter, characterized by its pale, heart-shaped face and preference for open areas like fields and meadows. Their need for open hunting grounds means they are more likely to use nest boxes placed on poles or structures near these fields.
The Great Horned Owl is the largest and most widespread owl, recognized by its prominent ear tufts and its ability to thrive in diverse habitats, from deserts to urban areas. This powerful raptor has an extremely varied diet, preying on everything from rodents and rabbits to skunks and other birds. Because of their size, Great Horned Owls rarely use boxes, preferring to take over the abandoned stick nests of hawks or squirrels in large, mature trees.
A third common species, the Barred Owl, is usually found in mature, dense forests or swampy areas and is known for its distinctive “Who cooks for you?” call. The Barred Owl’s habitat preference means a successful attraction strategy involves locating nest boxes deep within wooded areas, positioned high in large trees. Knowing these specific habitat and size requirements allows you to install the most appropriate structure and manage the surrounding vegetation accordingly.