Despite being associated with bad luck and death in several cultures, owls are extraordinary creatures that can also bring good luck and intuition.
Just seeing one in your backyard can be a warning of things about to change for the better or a change you have to make to improve your life. Therefore, inviting them to your backyard by introducing an owl nesting box can be the best way to watch these exceptional birds up close and learn more about their hunting skills and antics.
Our research concluded that our top pick is the KingWood Premium Cedar Owl House, as it's easy to install and has lots of features.
Page Contents
- The Best Owl Nesting Box Reviews
- 1. KingWood Premium Cedar Owl House – Best Overall
- 2. JCs Wildlife 3-Sided Platform Barn Owl Nesting Box – Easiest to Maintain
- 3. Vundahboah Amish Goods Screech Owl House Box – Most Versatile
- 4. Uncle Dunkels Premium Screech Owl House – Best Design
- 5. Woodlink OWL/Kestrel Screech Owls House – Best Budget
- 6. Lone Star Woodcraft Screech Owl House - Most Unique Opening
- 7. Coveside Saw-Whet Owl House- Best Barn Owl for Screech and Saw-Whet
- Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best Owl Nesting Box
- Watch This!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
The Best Owl Nesting Box Reviews
While some owls migrate towards the equator in winter, a considerable percentage of them remain in the same place for the better part of the year. In fact, they're known to even use the same nesting box all year round.
Therefore, if the owls in your area don't migrate, you need a high-quality and durable owl house like the KingWood Premium Cedar Owl House. After all, they may end up spending the entire year in your backyard.
KingWood has produced some of the best bird products on the market, and the KingWood Owl Box is no exception. This premium owl box is designed to last through a wide range of weather conditions including the cold winters.
This nestling box measures 25 by 11 by 11 inches; therefore, it's ideal for a family of small owls like the Saw-Whet Owls, Eastern Screech Owl, and Western Owl.
The sides of this house are flared for security purposes, while the entrance hole is wide enough for your new friends. And to make it easier for the barn owls to come and leave this house has a 6 by 6 inches wide entrance hole, which is more than enough for the owl to sunbathe and observe its surroundings.
the hot summer days can be tough for any creature on the outdoors, so to keep the nest box well ventilated, it has an inset bottom. Plus, the base and roof provide proper water drainage, so the owl will still be warm even during the rainy seasons.
And to make it easy for you to clean the debris, KingWood added a knob that you can use to pull the owl house's base and clean the entire house.
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Durable
- Has a number of features
- Spacious
- Sturdy materials
Cons
- Costly
- Not ideal for huge owls
Takeaway
Unlike most owl nesting boxes the KingWood Premium Cedar Owl House has more than enough features to keep your feathery pals comfortable. It has more than enough space for a family of small-sized owls; plus, you'll never have to worry about rodents with small owls in your backyard.
2. JCs Wildlife 3-Sided Platform Barn Owl Nesting Box – Easiest to Maintain
If you plan to keep a barn owl outdoors, you should go for the JCs Wildlife 3-Sided Platform Barn Owl Nesting Box. After all, this spacious barn owl box has been built using some exterior plywood that has been treated for additional protection with linseed oil.
Measures 21 by 24 by 19.25 inches, this owl house has more than enough for the owl hatchlings. Plus, its entrance hole measures about 4.5 inches by 5.5 inches which is more than enough for barn owls to get in and out of the box.
To aid the owl in getting into the nest, this barn owl nest box comes with 7 grip grooves below and a 7-inch platform that goes around the box.
This barn owl nest box also comes in handy when the owlets are practicing flight.
And to help you keep it clean, it comes with a clean-out box that allows you to access the interior parts of the JCs Wildlife 3-Sided Platform Owl Nesting Box.
This feature-rich nesting owls box comes with an elliptical entrance hole, ventilation holes for heat and air circulation, and drainage holes. Plus, the size of the entrance hole of the nesting owl's box helps keep the predators away.
Pros
- Ventilation holes
- Drainage holes
- Several safety features
- Durable huge plywood
- Installation tools
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Takeaway
Unlike some of the low-end nesting boxes, this JCs Wildlife Nesting Box provides exceptional habitat for barn owls. All you have to do is install the owl box in a secluded place, and some barn owls will visit your backyard regularly.
3. Vundahboah Amish Goods Screech Owl House Box – Most Versatile
If you want to attract both medium-sized and small owls to your yard then you should go for this affordable, high-quality Vundahboah Amish Goods Screech Owl House Box. Made in Tennessee, this owl box has a waterproof roof and an all-cedar construction; it can also accommodate medium-sized Western screech owls. It has some drilled holes that help you hang the weatherproofed cedar wooden roof.
Thanks to its design (from the riveted pivot points to the hinged bottom lift-door), this owl box will serve as a home for owls for years.
And thanks to its dimensions (15 by 8.5 by 9 inches), your new owl house will not be limited to small birds, so if you plan to attract the American Kestrel or Flicker species, you should try this option.
Plus, its cedar wood design helps it blend with the trees and helps attract owls. Its entrance hole is situated below the roof, and it comes with a slit that helps with air ventilation. The entrance also features two footholds. And to help with maintenance, this screech owl nest box has a latch that lets you swing up the front panel.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Not limited to small birds
- Cedar shavings
- Waterproof construction
Cons
- No drainage system
Takeaway
Other than being affordable, the Vundahboah Amish Goods Screech Owl House Box has everything any owl will need to stay comfortably. These screech owl boxes have a waterproof cedar design that makes it possible for you to install them anywhere you believe the owls would appreciate.
If exceptional craftsmanship is the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about getting an owl house, then you should go for the Uncle Dunkels Premium Screech Owl House. And that is because each nesting box is designed and built by hand with no help from outside; after all, Uncle Dunkels has no assembly line.
This owl box has exceptional features that help it stand out among its competitors. For example, it's made of shingled roof and tongue, groove, and solid pine boards.
In fact, the front panel of this owl box is made from an entire tree bark that has been ethically sourced, treated, and recycled.
The front tree bark is recycled from the forest industry and then returned to nature. Thanks to its exceptional design, this nest box blends perfectly with trees in the forest. This unique nesting box has been designed for screech owls, and its dimensions are 12 by 12 by 19 inches.
And to help you install this nesting box, Uncle Dunkels included everything you'll ever need for easy installation. With each unit, you'll receive some pine shavings, which make excellent nesting material. You'll also need two 3-inches long stainless steel screws and washers.
Pros
- Safety features
- Exceptional wood design
- Pine shavings
- Installation tools
Cons
- Not ideal for huge owls
- No entrance groove
Takeaway
If your main goal is to get a uniquely designed nesting house, you should go for the Uncle Dunkels Premium Screech Owl House. Other than looking great, these nesting owl boxes can easily blend with the forest scenery, which is what a Screech-owl needs to be comfortable and safe.
5. Woodlink OWL/Kestrel Screech Owls House – Best Budget
Generally, this budget screech house is designed to keep the owl safe and at peace all year round. After all, Woodlink uses Conservation Commission specifications as their primary blueprint, which means that the screech owls will be protected. Secondly, the Woodlink OWL/Kestrel Screech Owls House has a basic design that's quite effective.
The screech house's front door is attached to a hinge, making opening and closing this nesting box quite easy.
Mounting these owl boxes is relatively straightforward, thanks to the installation tools and equipment that come with it.
Plus, the fact that it's made from natural inland cedar is a bonus. It comes with wood shavings that serve as the nesting material.
Pros
- Wood shavings included
- Conservation Commission approved specs
- Made using inland cedar
Cons
- Basic design
Takeaway
At times the design of the owl house doesn't matter, so if you're looking for a simple and reliable option, you should go for the Woodlink OWL/Kestrel Screech Owls House. After all, it does provide more than enough space for the owls and is easy to maintain.
6. Lone Star Woodcraft Screech Owl House - Most Unique Opening
Lone Star has made a name for themselves in the industry as one of the best bat houses manufacturers, but their owl houses are just as beautiful and exceptional. Lone Star has been producing bird houses for over two decades, so you should expect nothing but the best from them.
Constructed using cedar wood, this house has lots of personalities that can make it stand out in your backyard. Plus, its rectangular entrance is ideal for even two birds to perch and observe their surroundings.
One thing that stands out is the fact that the Lone Star Woodcraft Screech Owl House has no cleaning opening.
The reason is, that screech doesn’t naturally need one; after all, in nature the,y can be found in hollowed-out trees; therefore, they prefer topping up or reusing their nesting materials. Therefore, the opening door is unnecessary.
Pros
- Rectangular opening
- Solid construction
- Lightweight
Cons
- No clean-out opening
Takeaway
Unlike most options that come with circular entrances, the Lone Star Woodcraft Screech Owl House comes with a rectangular opening. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a clean-out door which can be a turn-off for some bird lovers.
7. Coveside Saw-Whet Owl House- Best Barn Owl for Screech and Saw-Whet
Being smaller in size than most bird species including barn owls, this nest is just perfect for screech and Saw-Whet owls. The Coveside Saw-Whet Owl House has more than enough cavity size with the right nesting material. Built using the Eastern White Pine, this owl’s nest provides durability and insulation.
In fact, it’s the best nest for installing deep in the woods, preferable near a swamp. You can also install it in evergreen thickets and coniferous woods in gardens and parks. Fortunately, its beige color will fade leaving it perfectly blended with its surroundings.
Pros
- Ideal for smaller owls
- Wood shavings and bedding included
- Solid built
Cons
- Not waterproofed
Takeaway
Other than being durable, the Coveside Saw-Whet Owl House is the best option that’s designed for smaller owls like the screech and Saw-Whet owls.
Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best Owl Nesting Box
Owls are picky creatures that just can't occupy any birdhouse; after all, they're secretive creatures that love some privacy. So, where you install the owl box matters a lot, but before deciding on the exact place where you'll install the owl box, you first need to pick the best owl nesting boxes for our feathery pals.
Unfortunately, there are lots of options in the market, so here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best owl nesting boxes:
Size
Other than the nesting owl, you should consider the hatchling they produce; after all, they're known for hatching over a dozen of them. Plus, the little owl will stay in the cage for a few weeks until it's strong enough to fly and fend for itself.
If your new visitor produces over a dozen hatchlings, you don't want them getting cramped in the owl house.
Therefore, the flow of the nesting box for a breeding pair should never be less than 10 by 18 inches.
The right nesting house for a medium-sized breeding pair should measure 24 by 18 by 18 inches. This size will have more than enough space for the hatchlings and the pair. You will need a bigger option for some species like the Snowy and Barred owls.
Entrance Hole Size and Location
As explained in our free bird house plans guide, the hole does more than serve as the exit/entrance hole; it's also there for protection purposes.
Therefore, it should be positioned about 6 inches above the floor of the box to keep the young owls inside. After all, they do love exploring the nest, and going outside can be quite dangerous for them.
The size of the owls will determine the size of the entrance hole you plan on attracting in your backyard.
Materials
Generally, most nesting boxes are made using plywood, but there are some made using several high-quality options like untreated fir, pine, and cedar. Therefore, you need to confirm if the material is in great shape if you want it to survive all the natural elements. But make sure you don't exceed your budget.
0.5-inch plywood rots faster from rain and heat than 0.75-inch plywood; unfortunately, thicker materials are heavier, costly, and hard to install.
The character of the material also matters a lot; for example, you should avoid pine wood if you live in places with high humidity and rainfall as termites can easily destroy them.
Additional Features
Generally, a drainage hole is mandatory to prevent overflooding and stagnant water in a rainstorm. Some owl nesting box designs come with a footing or perch that can come in handy when training the hatchlings to fly.
BirdingHub Tip: Nesting houses are best served if you know what owl type will inhabit them especially if they have owlets to take care of! Read more about baby owls here -- Baby Owl.
Watch This!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Should I Place My Barn Owl Nest Boxes?
The nest box should be installed about 15 to 20 ft high, on a pole or the side of a building, but you should ensure that the entrance is shaded by both the wind and the sun. If you mount it on a pole, then you should protect the barn owls from raccoons and cats using a baffle.
Where Should These Boxes Face?
You should always avoid facing the owl nesting boxes to the north. Instead, the entry box should face south or east. After all, these birds love to sit on their entrance and soak in the sunlight.
How Do I Attract an Owl to My Backyard?
Other than installing a comfortable nesting box, you need to prepare your backyard for them. This means pruning the huge branches from the surrounding trees, installing bird baths, and, most importantly, putting the outdoor lights on a timer.
Another reliable tip that always attracts most owls including screech owls is mowing the lawn less. Mowing the grass less frequently will make it more appealing for hunting.
Conclusion
Owls are symbolic creatures that can change your life, so you should do everything humanly to attract them to your backyard, including installing an owl nesting house. Luckily, there are many owl nesting boxes that can help you attract a certain type of owl to your home.
Our pick for the best overall nesting owls box is the KingWood Premium Cedar Owl House. This nesting birdhouse is durable and ideal for small owls. These nest boxes can survive a wide range of weather conditions while guaranteeing proper air ventilation.
