Nest Boxes for Tawny Owls

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Boxes For Tawny Owls

Tawny owls are a woodland owl which take readily to nest boxes - care should be taken, however, to ensure they are sited in a suitable place

Tawny owls are a sedentary woodland species, staying in their territories all year round. They defend these patches from other tawny owls, particularly in the autumn in the run up to the breeding season, when young birds are attempting to set up their own territories.

Cautionary Notes Re. Active Nest Boxes

Young tawny owlets will leave the nest box at 3 - 4 weeks old and will climb into the woodland canopy. They will generally not return to the box after leaving, and will be fed by both male and female adult birds as night falls.

These chicks will sometimes fall

from the canopy and will spend long

periods sat on the ground, even

during the day. It is at this time

that, despite constant guarding by

the parents, the chicks are

vulnerable to attack by foxes, dogs,

cats and members of the crow

family, that will often peck the chicks to death.

Siting of boxes should therefore consider this natural behaviour and boxes should not be installed in gardens

where there are, in particular, cats or any other domestic animals that may pose a danger to baby owlets.

It should also be noted that female tawny owls will sometimes attack humans in defence of their fledglings if they feel they are in danger, so it is not advisable to encourage this species to breed in areas where there is a lot of human activity, and in particular where children play.

Many of these chicks are picked up by humans as presumed orphans each year.

Please click here for more details.

Tawny chick on ground

General information for all owl species

• Hunting habitats are essential to the success of artificial nest sites, and so habitat creation such as field margins and set aside for voles, woodland cover for wood mice, insecticide-free field habitats for invertebrates etc are crucial to the success of these boxes and baskets. Without a reliable source of food, breeding success will be very limited.

• Natural material can be put inside nest boxes to provide material for a scrape e.g., leaf mulch, shredded paper etc - (Nb. Do not use sawdust as this can be harmful to birds if swallowed)

• Boxes may not always be used, but if they remain in place, they can provide a roost for owls during the winter and eventually may be used if an existing natural site is lost.

• Boxes can often be occupied by unwelcome squatters, such as squirrels, jackdaws etc. Once this has been positively established, these unwelcome guests should be evicted asap to ensure the box is available for the target species of owl.

• Owl nest boxes are unlikely to be used for breeding unless there is suitable habitats nearby. Click here for advice on habitats.

• Owls are low-flying birds and nest boxes for barn, tawny and little owls only need to be 6 - 12 ft off the ground. Boxes in danger of being interfered with by vandals should be positioned higher, with this in mind.

• Tawny owl, little owl and long-eared owl chicks all leave the nest at 3 - 4 weeks and will adventure away from the nest - provision should be made for this natural behaviour.

• Barn owl chicks do not ‘branch’ in the same way as the other species, and will only be fed by the parents in the nest, so any chicks found on the floor will need rescuing. Click here for advice on finding chicks.

• To establish if a nest site is being used, it is necessary to observe quietly the box/basket in the breeding season from a non-intrusive distance, and preferably under camouflage. An adult observed bringing food to the nest would either be a male delivering food to a brooding female, or male/female delivering food to chicks - this will be confirmed by loud hissing from the chicks on receiving food (louder as they get older). Branched chicks will call for food from the tree canopy and will be found and fed by the parents.

Installing a Wild Owl Tawny Owl Nest Box

Siting Tawny Owl Boxes

• Boxes should face NE to SE if exposed to elements

• Height of box should be approx 10ft off ground

• Site them within woodland, in groups of trees, large gardens, churchyards etc.

• In larger woods, more than one box can be sited to give male a roost site.

• Allow a clear flight path to box entrance

• Do not site boxes in places where there is regular human activity (ie. Busy footpaths, near playgrounds, etc)

• Inspection hatch should be tied with wire, not string or cable tie which can be bitten by squirrels.

Tawny owls are natural hole nesters and will use an artificial box if one is installed in a suitable woodland environment or large garden.

Mums watching!

Click here for information on Wild Owl nest boxes for tawny owls
plus downloadable information on installing a Wild Owl box