Natural cavities normally used by screech owls are hard to find; hurricane-damaged nest trees have been cut and hauled away as have the snags and hollow palm trunks that fell. Owls cannot excavate a hole, and must rely on woodpeckers to do so. Man can help, especially this month as owl pairs search for a suitable site to lay their eggs.

The lumber must be unpainted, lightweight, and durable. Use wood such as cypress or pine (exterior plywood), never pressure-treated as it is poisonous. An 8’’ wide plank is needed for the front, back and floor; 10” wide for the 2 sides; and a bigger piece for the roof.

Cut the wood so the finished box is 18 ½” tall in front and 20” in back, the roof will slant and overhang. Drill ½” vent holes near the top of the slanted sides, and 5 drainage holes in the 8” X 8” floor. Cut out the 2 ½ to 3 inch entrance hole, centering it 4” below the top. Inside, below the hole, attach a piece of carpet, bark, or webbing that the fledglings can climb up.

Screw the sides to the back then add the floor. Set the front between the side-pieces and drive a nail into each one (near the top) and on into the front-piece, it becomes the door you swing out for cleaning. Affix the bottom of the front to the edge of the floor with a nail, bent so you can pull it out. Screw the roof to the sides and back.

Never add perches, because they will invite predators. Mulch or wood chips are not necessary. Paint it a nice green color to forestall weathering.

Kenn Kaufman, in his article in the Jan 2002 issue of Audubon, says; “The most important thing to remember when hanging the box: Be careful! Ten feet or higher is a long way off the ground, especially if you’re carrying an owl box”. Choose a tree or mount a sturdy post, and build a shelf. Sit the box on it, and put a couple screws up through the floor. You might want to be able to take it down easily during hurricane season.

Don’t be disappointed when no activity is seen for weeks. It’s supposed to be a big secret. You will be rewarded later when the growing owlets start to peek out towards the end of April. The young owls fledge in May, leaving the safety of the box, after which they may or may not survive a risky period of adjustment. These owls do well in town, eating night flying insects like moths attracted by street/security lights.