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American KestrelNest Box Pilot ProgramSUSTAINING WHATSUSTAINS USIn other parts of the country bluebirds and swallows regularly nestin human-crafted nest boxes. But nest boxes have not been usedsystematically in the Sonoran Desert to support declining birdpopulations. Home to more than 10 native cavity-nesting species, theTucson area stands to benefit from a systematic examination of whichlocal species will reliably use boxes.In the spring of 2014 Tucson Audubon is conducting a pilot test ofthree next box designs, which will be placed around the properties ofvolunteers and Tucson Audubon project sites. If successful, we will begina broader nest box campaign in the fall of 2014 to encourage their usethroughout our communities. You can be a part of this effort by hostinga box.Thank you for your interest in this project! Your support makes this workpossible. If you have carpentry expertise, we especially need your helpbuilding boxes. Donations of lumber and equipment are also needed.Kendall KroesenUrban Program Managerkkroesen@tucsonaudubon.orgTucson Audubon’s UrbanSustainability Program workstoward sustainable resourcemanagement in Tucson andsouthern Arizona, one of themost biodiverse regions onthe continent. In the face ofclimate change, increasingpopulation, and dwindlingsupplies of fossil fuels andwater, our community has theopportunity to be a model forsmart conversion to relianceon renewable resources.The components of thisprogram include communityconservation educationprograms, sustainable urbanhabitat creation, trackingclimate change, and shifting torenewable energy and watersupplies.Bruce TaubertThe urban habitat programis designed to reconcile theneeds of people and wildlifethrough the enlightened designof urban and exurban spaces.You can help create ahealthy, vibrant communityfor people and wildlife. Visittucsonaudubon.org/urban formore information and to signup for our monthly Green CityNews ubon.orgTucson Audubon’s American Kestrel Nest Box Pilot Program 12/12/13—1

American Kestrel(Falco sparverius)The brightly colored American kestrel is North America’s smallestfalcon, measuring just 8 to 10 inches in length. Although formerlyknown as the sparrow hawk, kestrels feed primarily on insects andsmall rodents. This fierce hunter adapts well to human-influencedhabitats and urban settings, but the species’ population is decliningin many regions of the United States, including Arizona. Tucson BirdCount data show a sharp reduction in numbers locally since 2010.Kestrels suffer from habitat loss and a lack of available nest cavities.Fortunately, this species readily accepts human-crafted nest boxes.Nest box programs are currently supporting the American kestrelaround the country. Watch for these birds perching on utility wires orhovering in the sky as they search for prey below. You may hear themcalling: killy-killy-killy.HABITAT Kestrels prefer semi-open country of all kinds,especially with available hunting perches providing views ofsurrounding land. In the Sonoran Desert kestrels frequently nest inflicker holes in saguaros. Kestrels also nest in urban and suburbanpalm trees, underneath untrimmed fronds.BOX MOUNTING Boxes should be placed between10NEST BOX SPECSHOLE 3” diameterDEPTH 13 5/8”FLOOR 9 5/8” x 9 5/8”OTHER swinging side doorwith fixed stop and safetyshelf; inside perchconservationeducationrecreationand 20 feet high with a northern or eastern orientation. They canbe affixed to houses or other buildings. Boxes should not be placedamong dense trees or shrubs, though low, open vegetation iswelcome.NESTING FACTS Kestrel pairs in Arizona deserts beginbreeding in late winter. During courtship, the male often performsimpressive feats of aerial display. As the time for egg-laying drawsnear, the male provides more and more of the female’s daily food.Kestrels lay eggs as early as March, but the peak of the breedingseason is in June. The birds use no nesting material, though eggsdeposited on bare surfaces can sometimes lead to poor hatchingand breakage. Kestrels occasionally produce more than one broodin a single year. They may return to reuse the same nests, year afteryear. During the winter, kestrels sometimes roost in nest boxes andcavities.Photos (top to bottom) by Doris Evans (female) and Alan Vernon / FlickrCreative Commons License (male). Text by Keith Ashley.2—Tucson Audubon’s American Kestrel Nest Box Pilot Program 12/12/13www.tucsonaudubon.org

American Kestrel Nest BoxConstruction GuidelinesRECOMMENDATIONS: 1” ( ¾”) thick lumber rough surface inside (if smooth, add footholds for chicks to climbout hardware cloth or chiseled ladder) sloping roof for rain to run off extended roof (2 to 5” lip) to protect from driving rain, sun, wind,predators floor set above side bottoms at least ¼” for water to drip off detachable roof / pivoting side for monitoring of nest and cleaning ventilation holes or spaces in sides (*heat will suffocate chicks) drainage holes in floors, or cut corners (*risk of hypothermia anddrowning) variety of baffles available to deter predatorsLONG-TERM CONSIDERATIONS: many birds return to the same nest site year after year; ¾” lumberwill endure 10 years education programs and science projects often involve monitoringnests during nesting; provide features for ease of futuremonitoring some birds will roost in boxes during winter questions of whether or not to clean out boxes are complex anddebated (review literature before cleaning) infestations and parasites can kill chicks; parasite wasps helpcontrol (review literature before cleaning) baby birds CAN be handled safely; some species of parasitesshould be removed when foundLUMBER RECOMMENDATIONS: white pine (most affordable and durable); cedar and fir (expensivebut very durable) exterior plywood is treated with carcinogen fomaldehyde; may beused for roofs finished lumber: 1” x 4” ¾” x 3½” / 1” x 12” ¾” x 11¾”Photo by Bruce Taubert. Nest box plan by Art Gingert. Text by Keith ecreationTucson Audubon’s American Kestrel Nest Box Pilot Program 12/12/13—3

American KestrelNest Box PlanArt Gingert, PO Box 185, West Cornwall CT 06796 Art Gingert/Wildlands PhotographyThese plans for the construction of an American Kestrel(Falco sparverius) nest box are based on experience gained duringmore than thirty years of field work in northwest and north-centralConnecticut (National Audubon Society and individually) with a nowsuccessful, well-established population of kestrels. It is hoped thatthe information will be used by raptor enthusiasts elsewhere who areinterested in the welfare of this open country falcon whose numberscontinue to decline in several regions of North America.Further notes regarding nest box stes and mounting (choosinggood American Kestrel breeding habitat, selecting ideal box locations,and safely erecting a kestrel box) are available. Good luck withyour own efforts in assisting these beautiful raptors, and I welcomeinquiries regarding wildlife management work with American Kestrels.Assembly Sequence1 Attach back to fixed side, then secure floor to back & fixed side.2 Attach front (with oval entrance hole & inside perch) to fixed side &floor.3 Attach roof to fixed side, front and back.4 Cut 45 bevel across hinged side, check fit, and secure side stop toback, front and floor.5 Finally, attach hinged side using hinge nails.Notes on Design The side-opening design of the nest box —with fixed side stop—serves a number ofpractical purposes. The box is much safer to monitor than if it were top-opening; woodshavings, eggs and nestlings are secure; and adult birds and nestlings are easier tocapture for banding and research work. The floor size for this nest box design provides almost 93 square inches, which isclose to 50% larger than the 8” x 8” floors recommended in the majority of AmericanKestrel nest box designs available in the literature or online. Having observed breedingkestrels using wood duck boxes in drained beaver swamps years ago, I realized thatmore living space was significantly advantageous for broods of five or six nestlingswhich spend up to a month in the nest boxes.conservationeducationrecreation Though a 3” diameter entrance hole is standard on many plans, a 3” x 4” vertical ovalhole provides more room for older nestlings looking outwards from the inside perch,and may also offer a place for adult male pair-bonding display early in the breedingseason.4—Tucson Audubon’s American Kestrel Nest Box Pilot Program 12/12/13www.tucsonaudubon.org

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