BARN OWL MAINTENCE PROGRAM

Don't let appearances fool you! A barn owl box is more than just a box with a hole on a pole. While it may seem expensive to invest in a barn owl box, there's a lot of work, materials, and time that goes into making our boxes. A badly designed box can do more harm than good for the owls. We've carefully designed our boxes to best meet the needs of barn owls. Let's go over some of the features that make our boxes the best for owls available.

Predation Prevention Features:

• There is a special wall in each box to give chicks a space to hide if a predator manages to stick its head or paw through the hole
• Our holes are oval instead of round to reduce the risk of Great Horned Owl predation.
• The poles are made of galvanized steel, too slick for raccoons to climb up and steal babies.

Construction Features:

• We use a full sheet of marine grade plywood in each of our boxes, so we can provide an ample sun shade to keep chicks from overheating.
• We have grips cut into the space below the hole so the owl can more easily enter the box or hang on to toss food in for the chicks.
• We've included a maintenance flap so that the boxes can be easily cleaned and maintained.
• All the fittings are galvanized steel, so they won't rust and make the box fall apart.
• All walls are both screwed and glued together under pressure, so they are strongly bonded and can take the weather.
• All corners are reinforced to improve the integrity of the box.

Barn owls have specific habitat needs and not all properties will be well suited for them. Barn owls' preferred habitats are grasslands and vineyards. As their number one predator, the great horned owl, prefers to nest in heavily forested and developed habitats, barn owls rarely occupy boxes in these areas and we do not recommend installing boxes in these locations. 

Unsure if your property is suitable? Reach out to us! We're happy to briefly assess your property over the phone or through email. Please be sure to include your name, telephone number and address in any email correspondence.

(707) 992-0274 or bomp@scwildliferescue.org

Please Note: As a nonprofit, our staff time is extremely limited, if you receive a phone or email consultation and it's determined that your property is not a good fit or if you opt not to use our services, please consider making a donation devoted to our staff's time and expertise. 

• Through years of experience, we have designed a barn owl box catered to the specific needs of barn owls.
• Our spring monitoring services offer valuable information on the occupancy of your box, allowing you to make important decisions regarding your integrated pest management program.
• Our fall maintenance services provide a safe and clean space for owls to raise their young and encourages continued use and new tenants.
• We have a permit with US Fish and Wildlife allowing us to handle birds and provide treatment if needed.
• We are certified participants of the 24-hour Hazwopper program by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife allowing us to work with hazardous materials safely.
• We are insured for high liability work through our Wildlife Exclusion Service.
• We have our own work vehicles and equipment.
• Maintenance in your vineyard or on your property is a tax-deductible expense.
• All proceeds earned through BOMP helps fund the Raptor Rehabilitation Program at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue.