Kestrel Nest Box Ideas: How To Construct A Kestrel Nesting Box

The American Kestrel Nest Box

Kestrel Nest Box Ideas: The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon discovered in North America. When declining and at chance of extinction, the kestrel population has rebounded thanks in big component to conservation efforts like the placement of specially developed kestrel nesting boxes.

Kestrels are cavity nesting birds, but they can’t excavate their very own nest site and depend on obtaining all-natural cavities in previous trees and the abandoned holes of woodpeckers. When all-natural nesting websites are in quick supply, the kestrels will adopt a guy-produced nesting box to raise their youthful.

The American Kestrel nest box strategies make an simple woodworking undertaking, and the nest box can be produced from a 1″ x twelve” x 10′ piece of low-cost pine discovered at any home center or lumber yard. Cedar is another excellent decision, though somewhat tougher to discover and the cost is a tiny larger. Left unpainted and untreated, the two woods will weather to a silvery-gray and will final for several seasons.

A tiny Fledgling Shelf mounted to within of the nesting box permits the infant kestrels to look out of box while waiting for their parents to arrive with their up coming meal.

Image: Public Domain (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

Items You Want:

Cedar or Pine board

Fundamental Woodworking Expertise and Equipment

Climate-resistant Screws or Nails
Lower a one” x 12″ cedar or pine board into the following parts:

Qty Description Dimension

1 — Front (component A) 11 ½” W x 18″ L

1 — Back (portion B) 11 ½”W x 24″L

2 — Sides (part C) 9″ W x twenty” L

1 — Roof (element D) 11 ½” W x 14″L

1 — Bottom (part E) ten” W x 9″ L

one — Entrance guard (Element F) 6″ W x 7″ L

1 — Fledgling Shelf (Component G) 1 ½” W x eleven ½”
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Reduce the best edge of the sides (part C) on a thirty degree angle to create a slope for the roof. From one particular end, measure up 20″ along one particular edge and make a mark. From the very same finish, measure up 18″ along the opposite edge and make another mark. Draw a straight line to connect the marks making use of a ruler or straight edge, and then cut along the line. The angled side pieces are 1/4″ shorter than front (portion A). The shorter sides generate a one/4 inch gap under the roof for air circulation.

Layout the location for the oval shaped entrance hole on the front area (part A), and then reduce out the opening utilizing a jig saw. Kestrels desire oval openings approximately 4″ broad by 3″ substantial. Lower a 30 degree bevel across the best edge, matching the slope of the roof and sides.

Clip off every single of the corners on the bottom piece (component E) at a 45 degree angle, creating small gaps for drainage. Employing weather resistant screws or nails holes, attach the bottom area to the back and side assembly.

Line up 1 side (element C) to the front piece (portion A) making certain that the bottom edges of each pieces are flush with other. The top of the side piece (part C) should be one/4 inch shorter than the front piece. When completely assembled, the 1/4″ opening will let air to circulate and assist to amazing the interior of the nesting box.

Attach the side piece to the front area using climate-resistant nails or screws. This is the fixed side, although the other side is hinged to let accessibility to the finished nest box for periodic cleansing.

Position the Fledgling Shelf (element G) on the inside of the Front segment (portion A), around 2″ under the opening.

Attach the nest box floor (component E) to the sub-assembly.

Position the partially assembled nest box to the back (component B), leaving area both over and beneath the nest box assemble for mounting the finished box to a tree or pole. Attach the back to the nest box assembly with nails or screws.

Cut a thirty degree bevel across the back edge of the roof (element D). The bevel matches the angled sides, and permits the roof to fit snugly towards the back (component B). Attach the roof to the back, side and front sections.

Line up the remaining side (portion C). To create a hinge, secure the side with 1 nail or screw driven into each and every edge — one through the front (element A) and 1 by means of the back (part B) to type a pivot level. Place the hinge screws right across from every other, enabling the door to open easily. To safe the door, drill and counter sink a screw hole along the center of the bottom edge. A single brief screw will hold the door closed nevertheless permits effortless accessibility for cleansing.

Lower a three” x four”hole into the center of the entrance guard (portion F). Round off the edges with sandpaper, or use a ¼ round in excess of bit to develop a completed edge. Mount the entrance guard on to the Front (part A) of the nest box.

Hang the competed American Kestrel Nest Box facing an open location such as a huge field, meadow or pasture. The kestrels will thank you!

Make a straightforward cleat technique for hanging projects this kind of as this American Kestrel Nest Box, birdhouses and window boxes. The cleat is manufactured by ripping a piece of stock at a 45 degree angle.

Start off with a piece of wood at least four inches wide, and somewhat shorter than the width of the nest box. Tilt the table saw blade to 45 degrees, then set the fence to 2 ½” from the blade to rip the stock into two mirror image pieces, every with a 45 degree bevel minimize along a single edge.

Attached a single of the pieces to the back of the project with the 45 degree angle of the cleat pointing downward to form an inverted “V” among the back of the feeder and the outside surface of the cleat.

Attach the second piece where you want to hang the nest box, this time with the “V” of the cleat dealing with upward. Use climate resistant screws, and make certain the cleat is level.

When fitted with each other, the two 45 degree “V”s from each piece lock collectively to securely hold the nesting box in place.

Add a filler strip along the bottom edge of the nest box, under the cleat on the backside, to hold the nest box upright and plumb. Cut the filler strip to the same thickness as the cleats.

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For over 35 years, the Nationwide Wildlife Federation (NWF) has encouraged house owners, schools, companies and municipalities to integrate the requirements of the regional wildlife into their landscape style.

So far, the NWF has recognized the efforts of virtually 140,000 men and women and organizations who plant native shrubs and plants for foods, cover and spots for raising their young, provide incorporate a supply of consuming water, and add nesting boxes for cavity nesting birds.

Please go to the NWF web site for additonal information on their offical Certified Wildlife Habitat program