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Platforms and Birds that
Nest on Platforms Robin
& Phoebe Platform
by Duncraft
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Robin
Blue Jay
Eastern Phoebe
Mourning Dove
Carolina
Wren
Song Sparrow
Catbird
Brown Thrasher |
Robins, Phoebes, Mourning
Doves and Blue Jays build nests on various
building ledges and will readily nest on
platforms.
Phoebes
nest on ledges in barns and other open buildings.
Some literature recommends platforms for Song Sparrows and earlier literature included Catbirds and Thrashers
as platform nesters.
Carolina Wrens and House Finches will nest on both platforms and in nest boxes.
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Robin in Nest, Chester A. Reed
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends a square platform 2 feet on each side
for Great Horned Owls and
Red-tailed
Hawks.
Robins, Phoebes, Mourning
Doves and Blue Jays build nests on various
building ledges and will readily nest on platforms.
Phoebes
nest on ledges in barns and other open buildings.
Some literature recommends platforms for Song Sparrows
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Earlier literature included Catbirds and Thrashers
as platform nesters.
Carolina Wrens and House Finches will nest on both platforms and in nest boxes.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends a square platform 2 feet on each side for Great Horned Owls and
Red-tailed
Hawks. A USGS research center web site borrowing an older version of an Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation brochure included
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Black Phoebe, Mrs.
F.T. Bicknell |
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Catbirds and Thrashers as users of platforms. It stated: "These birds
will use the nesting platform when natural nesting sites are
unavailable. The platforms should be placed in partial shade along main
branches of trees or under the eaves of a shed or porch roof." |
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In 1993, Catbirds and
Thrashers were deleted from the ODWC brochure because of a lack of documentation. Gilbert H. Trafton, the author of "Bird Friends", 1916, recommended that
platforms for Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, and Song Sparrows should be open on all four
sides and placed in shrubs. The book also provided the platform dimensions in the table
below. |
Robin Nest in a railroad trestle
bridge (in use), W.L. Dawson |
| They might nest in platforms mounted near the ground on walls
behind shrubbery or under eaves and on fence lines covered with vines. Maybe gazebo type
structures mounted in bushes. If they are to be open on all four sides, then corner
posts must support roofs - maybe just two. |
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Floor |
Height |
Mount Height |
| Song Sparrow |
6" X 6" |
6" |
1' - 3' |
| Brown Thrasher |
7" X 9" |
8" |
1' - 3' |
| Catbirds |
6" X 8" |
8" |
3' - 10' |
Platform Dimensions |
Robin Nest in a railroad trestle
bridge (in use), W.L. Dawson |
Cliff Swallows sometimes in the
hundreds attach their mud pellet nests in colonies on cliffs, under bridges, often over
water where insects emerge and sometimes under eaves.
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Cliff Swallow nests
above the Missouri River near Great Falls, MT C. Scudieri &
J. Tingerthal
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Say's Phoebe
Black Phoebe
House Finch
Barn Swallow
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl |
While narrow ledges may entice Cliff Swallows to build
their mud nests, as can be seen in the photograph, they are not
necessary. Roofs may be more a more attractive feature.
Barn Swallows
usually attach their mud pellet nests to vertical surfaces under a
ceiling in open barns and sheds with open doors or outside under eaves.
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Barn Swallow Nest, W.L. Dawson |
| Some Fish
and Wildlife brochures and various books recommend open platforms for
Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows. Most often they attach to the
side of an inside ceiling rafter, sometimes under outside eaves.
Open nest shelves may attract barn swallows, if mounted under building
eaves. An ODWC brochure and some other sources also mention
Cliff Swallows as possible users of nesting platforms. It said
Cliff Swallows can be provided a narrow shelf under an overhanging roof
where they can construct their mud nests.
However, according to a department biologist: "given their
strong colonial tendencies it is unlikely that they would use a single
platform hung from a house - it would have to be a whole series of
platforms hung from a bridge or the eave of a barn."
Insects and water are probably the primary factor.
Chances are, if Cliff Swallows or Barn Swallows are going to build under
a bridge, eave, or in a barn, they can do so just fine without help,
unless there is a lack of suitable structures. |
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The awning sheltering a Barn Swallow nest in the photograph to the
right
is on a building with no eaves and was installed to attract birds. Note
there is no platform shelf, only a roof and side. The Cliff and Barn
Swallow Models are the same as the Dove and Phoebe Models
with the platform replaced with two inch wide strips.
See platforms |
Barn Swallow nest |
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Cliff Swallow |
Kingbird nesting on a post, Chester A. Reed |
| Osprey |
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