Bird Houses by Species: Entrance Hole Sizes and Placement

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Only cavity-nesting birds use bird houses, and each species prefers a certain entrance size. The hole size is the most important detail because it controls who can get in.

Common backyard species

• Black-capped / Carolina Chickadee – about 1 1/8 inch hole; mount 5–15 feet high near trees.
• House Wren – 1 to 1 1/4 inch; 5–10 feet high near shrubs.
• Eastern Bluebird – 1 1/2 inch round (or an oval/slot design); on a pole 4–6 feet high in an open, grassy area.
• Tree Swallow – 1 1/2 inch; open areas, ideally near water.
• Tufted Titmouse – 1 1/4 inch.
• Downy Woodpecker – about 1 1/4 inch; they like boxes filled with wood shavings to "excavate".
• Eastern Screech-Owl – about 3 inches; see our owl guide.

Exact recommendations vary by source; Cornell Lab's NestWatch "Right Bird, Right House" tool gives plans by region.

What makes a good bird house

• Untreated wood (cedar or pine), at least 3/4 inch thick for insulation.
• No perch – cavity nesters don't need one and it helps predators.
• Ventilation holes near the top and drainage holes in the floor.
• A side or front panel that opens for cleaning and monitoring.

See bluebird nest boxes · See chickadee/wren boxes · Predator guards for poles

Placement and care

Put boxes up by late winter. Use a pole with a predator baffle where possible. Clean out old nests after the season. In North America, House Sparrows and European Starlings are non-native and not protected; monitoring helps keep them from taking over boxes.

Related: How to Attract More Birds