Birdhouse Dimensions for Nesting Birds
| Bird
Species |
Interior
Size |
Depth | Entrance
Size |
Entrance
Above Floor |
Height
Above Ground |
Habit Bird Prefers |
| Eastern
Bluebird |
5" x 5" | 8" | 1 1/2" | 6" | 5-10 ft. | Brushy borders near open areas
like pastures - no tall undergrowth. |
| Western
Bluebird |
5" x 5" | 8" | 1 1/2" | 6" | 5-10 ft. | Open forests, favors ponderosa pine. |
| Black-capped
Chickadee |
4" x 4" | 8-10" | 1 1/8" | 6-8" | 5-15 ft. | Brushy borders and forests. |
| Carolina
Chickadee |
4" x 4" | 8-10" | 1 1/8" | 6-8" | 5-15 ft. | Brushy borders and
southeastern forests. |
| House
Finch |
6" x 6" | 6" | 2" | 4" | 8-12 ft. | Bottom lands, canyons,
suburbs, and ranches. |
| Song
Sparrow |
6" x 6" | 6" | All Sides
Open |
--- | 1-3 ft. | Brushy borders and
wood margins. |
| Barn
Swallow |
6" x 6" | 6" | One or more
sides open |
--- | 8-12 ft. | Areas near farms. |
| Purple
Martin |
6" x 6" | 6" | 2 1/2" | 1" | 15-20 ft. | Open areas and cut over forests
where nest sites are available. |
| American
Robin |
6" x 8" | 8" | Three sides
open |
--- | 6-15 ft. | Open areas with scattered
trees and shrubs. |
| White Breasted
Nuthatch |
4" x 4" | 8-10" | 1 1/4" | 6-8" | 5-20 ft. | Deciduous woodlands. |
| Red Breasted
Nuthatch |
4" x 4" | 8-10" | 1 1/4" | 6-8" | 5-20 ft. | Coniferous forests. |
| Tufted
Titmouse |
4" x 4" | 8-10" | 1 1/4" | 6-8" | 6-15 ft. | Eastern deciduous woodlands. |
| Downy
Woodpecker |
4" x 4" | 8-10" | 1 1/4" | 6-8" | 6-20 ft. | Open woodland, orchards,
farmlands, and urban areas. |
| Common
Flicker |
7" x 7" | 16-18" | 2 1/2" | 14-16" | 6-20 ft. | Around large trees in open woodlands,
fields, and meadows. |
| Hairy
Woodpecker |
6" x 6" | 12-15" | 1 1/2" | 9-12" | 12-20 ft. | Nests in live trees in open
woodlands and forests. |
| Redheaded
Woodpecker |
6" x 6" | 12-15" | 2" | 9-12" | 12-20 ft. | Open areas--farmyards, field edges,
dead snags with lush groundcover. |
| Pileated
Woodpecker |
8" x 8" | 12-30" | 3-4" | 10-12" | 12-20 ft. | Mature forest areas. |
| Red-bellied
Woodpecker |
6" x 6" | 12-14" | 2 1/2" | 10-12" | 12-20 ft. | Common in southeastern forests. |
| Bewick's
Wren |
4" x 4" | 6-8" | 1" | 1-6" | 6-10 ft. | Farmyards, brushlands, fence rows,
and suburbs. |
| Carolina
Wren |
4" x 4" | 6-8" | 1 1/8" | 1-6" | 6-10 ft. | Forests with thick underbrush. |
| House
Wren |
4" x 4" | 6-8" | 1" | 1-6" | 6-10 ft. | Brushy borders and edge habitat. |
| *Wood
Duck |
10 1/2" x 10 1/2" | 24" | 3" ellip. | 20" | 10-25 ft. | Bottomland hardwood forests
near water. |
| *Common
Merganser |
11" x 11" | 34" | 4 3/4" | 20" | 10-15 ft. | Cool, clear waters of northern
or western forests. |
