Screech Owl House Plans

Screech Owl House Plans: A Comprehensive Guide

Screech owls are small, secretive owls found in North America and South America. They are cavity nesters, meaning they build their nests in holes in trees or other structures. Screech owls typically lay 2-4 eggs, which hatch after about 28 days. The young owls fledge from the nest after about 35 days. If you're interested in attracting screech owls to your property, you can build them a house. Screech owl houses are relatively easy to build, and they can be made from a variety of materials.

Materials:

* 1x6 pine boards * 1/2-inch plywood * 1-inch PVC pipe * Wood screws * Nails * Paint or stain

Tools:

* Saw * Drill * Hammer * Level * Tape measure

Instructions:

1. Cut the 1x6 pine boards to the following lengths: * 6 pieces - 12 inches long * 6 pieces - 10 inches long * 2 pieces - 8 inches long * 2 pieces - 6 inches long 2. Assemble the front and back panels of the house by attaching the 12-inch and 10-inch boards together with wood screws. Make sure the 12-inch boards are at the top and bottom of the panels. 3. Cut a 12-inch diameter hole in the center of the front panel. This will be the entrance hole for the screech owls. 4. Assemble the sides of the house by attaching the 8-inch and 6-inch boards together with wood screws. 5. Attach the front and back panels to the sides of the house with wood screws. 6. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch plywood to fit the bottom of the house. Attach the plywood to the bottom of the house with nails. 7. Cut a piece of 1-inch PVC pipe to a length of 12 inches. Attach the PVC pipe to the front of the house, below the entrance hole. This will be a perch for the screech owls. 8. Paint or stain the house to protect it from the elements. 9. Choose a suitable location for the owl house. The house should be placed in a tree or other structure that is at least 10 feet off the ground. The house should also be placed in an area that is protected from the wind and rain. 10. Hang the owl house in the chosen location. You can use a rope or wire to hang the house from a tree branch.

Additional Tips:

* You can make the owl house more attractive to screech owls by adding nesting material, such as wood chips or leaves. * You can also add a predator guard to the house to protect the screech owls from predators, such as raccoons and snakes. * Monitor the owl house regularly to make sure it is being used by screech owls. If the house is not being used, you may need to move it to a different location. With a little effort, you can build a screech owl house that will provide a safe and comfortable home for these beautiful birds.