Department of Defense Natural Resources Program: Songbird Nest Boxes. Section 5.1.8., US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual
Abstract
This report on songbird nest boxes is provided as Section 5.1 .8 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. It was prepared as a guide to assist project biologists in developing and implementing nest box programs for nongame birds. Topics covered include wildlife value, management objectives, design, construction, installation, placement, maintenance, evaluation, personnel and costs, and cautions and limitations. Loss of natural tree cavities has limited the availability of suitable nest sites for many wildlife species in North America. Nest box programs have been effective in restoring and maintaining populations of cavity-nesting songbirds, the most notable example being the eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis). A variety of nest box designs are presented in this report, but the bluebird box is emphasized because its dimensions can be readily adapted to other cavity nesters. Detailed specifications are given for this standard box and for specialized boxes such as purple martin (Progne subis) houses. Appropriate management objectives are discussed, and guidelines are provided for the construction, installation, and location of nest boxes with emphasis on placement in suitable habitat. Monitoring and maintenance procedures are described, and the criteria for evaluating box use and nest success are discussed. (fr)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA202556
Entities
People
- Wilma A. Mitchell