The barred owl is a big species of owl found in North America. It is sometimes referred to as the northern barred owl, striped owl, or, more colloquially, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl. They belong to the genus Strix, which is also where the family’s name comes from in Linnaean taxonomy, and are members of the Strigidae family, which includes genuine owls.
Although they have spread to the west coast of North America, where they are regarded as invasive, barred owls are mostly native to eastern North America. Although they may adapt to different open woodland slopes, mature woods are their preferred environment. Although they mostly eat small mammals, this species is an opportunistic predator that also feeds on a range of invertebrates and other small vertebrates, including birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
In this piece, we will explore what you need to know when building boxes for different species of owls, including barred owls.
Building Owl Boxes for Different Species
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
Owl Box | A simple dwelling designed to attract various owl species, including barred owls. |
Plywood | Sanded exterior plywood, preferably 15/32-inch thick for weight and cost efficiency. |
Tools |
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Dimensions |
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Hinged Doors | Clean-out doors on both the top and right side for easy access. |
Notches | For square bend screw hooks’ installation to secure clean-out doors. |
Air Holes | Three air holes in the upper right corner of the front board for ventilation. |
Entrance Hole | Ellipse-shaped opening measuring 4-1/2 inches wide by 3-3/4 inches high. |
Talon Grips | Grooves below the entrance hole for owls to grip when landing. |
Assembly | Using glue, nails, and securing the clean-out doors with hinges. |
Mounting Location | High and inviting locations such as trees, barns, or poles. |
Species Attracted | Barn and barred owls, short-eared and great horned owls. |
Pest Control | Owls eat small mammals like mice, shrews, voles, and gophers. |
Number of Boxes Made | Upwards of 70 boxes created, effectively forming an avian subdivision. |
Estimated Cost | Approximately $40 for a sheet of plywood, with two boxes made from one sheet. |
Maintenance Notes | Regular inspections may be needed, facilitated by hinged doors. |
Scrap Wood Usage | Utilized for a divider to prevent raccoons from reaching the hatchlings. |
How Close to A House Can You Put an Owl Box?
In order to view and hear their resident birds, people frequently wish to get as close to the nest as possible. The explanation is that barn owls will frequently nest fairly close to a house because they are very tolerant of human activity. As close as thirty feet from the house, there are some pictures of boxes that are occupied. When the chicks are almost grown, the birds spend a lot of time by the entrance pleading for food, and during breeding season, they can be very talkative at night. Therefore, maybe a minimum distance of fifty feet is a good compromise.
Barred Owl Boxes for Sale
Looking to support your local barred owl population? You can find barred owl nest boxes for sale on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or at wildlife supply stores, both online and offline. Be sure to choose a design that’s suitable for your region and habitat to give these beautiful owls the best chance at nesting success!
🪵 Materials & Basic Structure
- Wood: Use untreated exterior-grade timber, ~¾″ thick hardwood or cedar. Avoid painted/stained interiors—only seal exterior exposed end-grain with caulk or waterproof stain.
- Chambers: Two-chamber design keeps owlets safe—adults enter through a side hole, and juveniles stay inside until they’re ready.
- Floor: Recessed 1/8″–½″ below the walls, with multiple ½″ drainage holes. Corners of floor recessed.
- Roof: Sloped slightly forward, overhangs edges to shed water, add flashing for predator protection.
- Ventilation: Drill small gaps/holes just below roofline on the leeward side. Use larger top-to-bottom gaps in hot climates.
🕳️ Entrance Hole & Grip Grooves
- Barn Owls: Oval hole ~130×130 mm (5″–6″ dia), located ~16″ from floor, ~2″ from top. Inside/outside grip grooves below hole; side grooves near top.
- Screech Owls: Circular hole ~2¾″–3″ dia, ~8–10″ square floor, ~15–18″ tall. Add kerf cuts below entry for grip.
- Great Horned Owls: Similar to barn owl boxes but larger—accommodate their size and broods; internal dimensions 10 ft³ minimum.
🛠️ Installation Guideline
- Height: Mount boxes on posts or trees at 12–18 ft (screech) or 12–15 ft+ (barn); avoid direct tree nailing.
- Facing: Face away from prevailing winds; screech owl boxes toward east or south; barn owl boxes north/south or away from wind.
- Predator proofing: Mount on posts with predator guards or flashing to deter raccoons, snakes.
🧹 Maintenance & Monitoring
- Cleaning:
- Barn owls: every 1–3 years (more if frequent use). Best time: November–January.
- Screech owls: annually in fall (Nov–Jan). Remove debris using pole camera before inspecting.
- Use protective gear: respirator mask (N95/N100), gloves. Rinse with boiling water or 10 % bleach solution.
🌿 Habitat Considerations
- Barn owls prefer open fields, meadows. Sit boxes near hunting grounds, tree roosts. Avoid roads, buildings.
- Screech owls inhabit wooded areas—mount boxes under canopy-cleared trees. Leave buffer around active nests.
🗒️ Quick-Build Specs
| Species | Floor Size | Entrance Hole | Height Mounted | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barn Owl | 30″×24″ (10 ft³) | Oval 5″–6″ hole | 12–15 ft | Drainage, grip grooves, predator flashing |
| Screech Owl | 8″×8″–10″×10″ | Round 2¾″–3″ hole | 12–18 ft | Kerf grips, recessed floor, annual clean |
| Great Horned Owl | Similar to barn | Larger oval hole | 15 ft+ | Spacious interior, predator guards |
✅ Summary
- Build boxes using untreated exterior wood, with recessed floors, drainage, ventilation, grip grooves, and no external perches.
- Use the correct hole size & placement for your owl species.
- Install 12–18 ft high away from predators, facing sheltered direction.
- Clean annually in fall; use personal protection.
- Add predator guards, position near foraging habitat, and maintain buffer zones.
Conclusion
In this piece, you learned about barred owls, the essential tools and materials for building owl boxes, box dimensions and features, mounting locations, and how close to a house you can install an owl box. For more informative guides, stay connected to Buildersviller.