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Birdhouses &
Woodworking Birdhouse Plans
Free, Printable
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Platforms and Birds that Nest on Platforms
Purchase
a Robin & Phoebe Platform by Duncraft
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Or make you own with these free woodworking designs - just print.
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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 |
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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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