Black-crested Titmouse house dimensions
The Black-crested Titmouse nests in cavity or nest box A box built to its measurements — and no bigger — is what makes it choose yours.
The specifications
- Entrance hole
- 1 1/4 in
- Floor (inside)
- 4 × 4 in
- Mounting height
- 5–15 ft
- Bird size
- 5.5–5.9 in, 0.6–0.8 oz
- Clutch
- 4–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Time in nest
- 15–18 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Build and mounting checklist
- Drill the entrance to exactly 1 1/4 in — oversized holes let in European Starlings and larger predators.
- No outside perch: cavity nesters don't need one, and it helps House Sparrows and predators.
- Unpainted interior, 3/4-inch untreated wood (cedar or pine) or poly-lumber for insulation.
- Drainage holes in the floor corners and ventilation gaps under the roof.
- A side or front panel that opens so you can monitor and clean the box.
- Rough or grooved inner front wall so nestlings can climb out.
- Pole mount with a stovepipe or cone baffle to stop snakes, raccoons and cats.
When to put up a Black-crested Titmouse box, by state
Full Black-crested Titmouse species guide →
Frequently asked
What size hole does a Black-crested Titmouse need?
1 1/4 in. A hole cut to this size admits the Black-crested Titmouse (5.5–5.9 in) while keeping out larger competitors.
How big should a Black-crested Titmouse house be inside?
A floor of 4 × 4 in. The Black-crested Titmouse lays 4–7 eggs, so the floor has to hold the full clutch plus growing nestlings.
How high should I mount a Black-crested Titmouse box?
5–15 ft. Mount on a pole with a predator baffle where possible rather than a tree or fence.
How long does a Black-crested Titmouse use the box?
Incubation takes 12–14 days and the young stay in the nest 15–18 days. Broods per year: 1–2 per season.
Sources
- Black-crested Titmouse — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-crested Titmouse life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-crested Titmouse — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.