Bird House Hole Sizes - Birdhouse Selection

When selecting as bird house, you should first consider the types of wild birds that frequent your area and which species of birds you wish to attract to your yard. Part of the consideration should be not only the size and shape of the bird house, but also the size of the entry hole.

Wild birds are naturally attracted to specific bird house hole sizes that offer them natural protection from predators. Small birds seek holes that allow them easy entry, while preventing prevent predator birds--as well as squirrels and racoons--from raiding their nests.

We have compiled a list of hole sizes preferred by a range of common wild birds across the USA. Looks for bird houses with the hole sizes preferred by the types of birds that you wish to attract.

Bird Species	Preferred Hole Size
American Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk	3 inch
Barred Owl	6 inch
Bluebird	1-1/2 inch
Chickadee, Nuthatch, Wren	1-1/8 or 1-1/4 inch
Downy Woodpecker	1-1/2 inch
Eastern Bluebird	1-1/2 inch
Flycatcher	2 inch
Hairy Woodpecker, Red-Headed Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker	2-1/4 inch
House Finch	2 inch
Northern Flicker	2-1/2 inch
Purple Martin	2 inch
Screech Owl, Northern Owl	3 inch
Sparrow	1-1/2 inch
Tree Swallow	1-1/2
Tufted Titmouse	2 inch
Wood Duck	4 x 3 inch
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker	1-1/2 inch