MDC Nest Box Plans

The Missouri Department of Conservation has made available a series of plans for bird feeders, nest boxes, dens and houses.  Have fun this winter completing your projects and enjoy being an animal landlord.

Barn Owl
Barn owls are considered to be our most beneficial owl, due to their appetite for animal pests.  The important elements of a barn owl nest box are roominess (to accommodate the species' large broods) and seclusion from predation.

Bat House
Hanging the bat house near a pond or stream may increase your chances of attracting bats to use it

Bird Feeder
This feeder can be mounted on a post or hung, using wire from a coat hanger.  Place it where you can enjoy watching the birds from the comfort of your home.

Blue Bird Nest Box
If you put up more than one box, space them at least 100 yards apart; bluebirds are territorial.  Clean out the box as soon as the young have left and chances are good that the adults will use the box again for another brood.

Kestrel Nest Box
Kestrels are the smallest and most colorful raptors in Missouri.  They used to be called Sparrow Hawks, but they are really falcons.

Martin House
Martins have very specific aerial space requirements. Housing should be placed in the center of the most open spot available, about 30-120 feet from human housing. There should be no trees taller than the martin housing within 40 feet, preferably 60 feet. Generally, the farther the housing is placed from trees, the better.

Screech Owl Nest Box
These are the smallest owls in Missouri and feed on almost any form of wildlife from insects to mice.

Squirrel Nest Box
Each pair of squirrels uses two dens.  The pair will live in one den until just before the babies are born.  The female will evict the male, who then builds himself a bachelor den.

Wood Duck Nest Box
Although these nesting boxes are designed for wood ducks, other species may use them.  Possible tenants include owns, kestrels, woodpeckers and even a honeybee swarm or two.

Wren House
Wrens don't mind living fairly close together.  It pays to put up two or three wren houses in a backyard.

Wren or Chickadee Nest Box
For wrens, mount the house six to eight feet high; for chickadees, it can be higher, up to ten feed.

Updated 11/27/10