Barred Owls Are House Hunting Right Now – These Nest Boxes Will Make Them Choose Your Garden
There’s no backyard guest quite as entertaining as a barred owl. And, with the right nest box in place, you’ll get a VIP pass to watch nature’s ultimate home makeover.
While we’re still waiting for tulips to poke through the soil, barred owls are already on the prowl for their perfect home. The question is, could your garden be it?
There are plenty of reasons to want to attract an owl to your garden, not least of all the fact that they are such voracious predators of mice and other rodent pests, (can't it just be enough that we love birds?).
As such, it's well worth remembering that these brown-eyed beauties don’t build stick nests; instead, they scout natural hollows in old-growth trees. But with suburban sprawl shrinking their options, those classic 'holey' trees are getting harder to find, and that’s where backyard enthusiasts like us come in, armed with well-placed nest boxes.
The Best Nest Boxes to Attract Barred Owls
If you’ve ever heard a barred owl’s iconic “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” echoing through the trees, you know how magical it is to have them nearby. Wishing and hoping one of these beneficial garden friends might drop by, though, isn't anywhere near as effective as installing a nest box in February.
By doing so, you a) give a local pair of owl parents a safe place to raise their owlets and b) ensure your yard gets top billing on the owl real estate market before they settle elsewhere. Win win.
Now, this is one of those rare occasions where size matters; these are chunky birds! The trick is to make a box out of untreated cedar or plywood, at least 24 inches deep with an 8-inch entrance hole... or, y'know, splash out on one of these ready-made options:
If you’re serious about giving owls a durable, long‑lasting home, this heavy‑duty barn owl nest box is built to last. Made from recycled poly lumber, it won’t split, crack, or fade in sun and rain, making it ideal for all‑season outdoor use. It includes mounting hardware and pine shavings, plus drainage and ventilation holes to keep the interior healthy.
A beautiful mix of form and function, this wooden owl house offers a larger chamber and a waterproof, ventilated design that’s ideal for attracting a range of wild owls, garden wildlife, and backyard biodiversity. It’s crafted from carbonized cedar‑style wood that resists warping, cracking, and moisture damage, helping it stand up to rain and sun year‑round.
This wooden owl house hits the sweet spot between DIY charm and ready‑to‑go utility. Crafted from solid wood and shipped with screws included, it’s a great option for bird lovers who enjoy a hands‑on project. Its natural look blends beautifully with wooded and open settings alike.
If you want a more natural aesthetic, cedar Barred Owl nest boxes offer solid cedar construction and (more importantly) the correct internal dimensions for Barred Owls. These are excellent if you want something that looks beautiful in a garden as well as functional.
If you’re looking for a versatile owl box that can accommodate multiple species, this model is a solid mid‑range choice for your garden or backyard habitat. Designed with a spacious interior and sized entry, it’s marketed as suitable for barn, screech, and even barred owls, making it a great option if you’re hoping to attract a variety of local raptors.
A fully assembled box with proper sizing and a hinged door for easy cleanout, not to mention an overhanging roof to shield owls from rain. The artisan behind it suggests popping yours up in an open area facing away from prevailing weather pattern, ideally with an unobstructed flight path to the door.
To make your barred owl nest box feel move-in ready, be sure to add a 2–3 inch layer of pine shavings to the bottom (they don’t bring their own bedding!). Mount the box 15–30 feet high on a sturdy tree, ideally facing an open area like a field or a quiet patch of woods where hunting is easy (favorite snacks? Mostly mice, with the occasional unlucky frog).
Helping these apex predators isn’t just a treat for birdwatchers. A resident owl family is a natural pest-control squad for your garden. One that's happily quiet, efficient, and completely free of charge. So grab a ladder, find a solid oak or pine, and give these beautiful birds a forever home this season.
Your garden, and your inner wildlife enthusiast, will think you're a real hoot for it!
