Lewis's Woodpecker house dimensions
The Lewis's Woodpecker nests in cavity in a dead ponderosa pine or cottonwood A box built to its measurements — and no bigger — is what makes it choose yours.
The specifications
- Entrance hole
- 2 1/2 in
- Floor (inside)
- 7 × 7 in
- Mounting height
- 12–20 ft
- Bird size
- 10.2–11 in, 3.1–4.9 oz
- Clutch
- 5–9 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–16 days
- Time in nest
- 28–34 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Build and mounting checklist
- Drill the entrance to exactly 2 1/2 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 Lewis's Woodpecker box, by state
Boxes should be up and clean a month before local nesting starts. Dates shift with latitude:
| Place | Up by | Nesting | Clean out |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | March | April–July | August |
| Colorado | April | May–July | August |
| Idaho | April | May–July | August |
| Nevada | April | May–July | August |
| Oregon | April | May–July | August |
| Utah | April | May–July | August |
| Washington | April | May–July | August |
| Alberta | May | June–July | August |
| British Columbia | May | June–July | August |
| Montana | May | June–July | August |
| Saskatchewan | May | June–July | August |
| Wyoming | May | June–July | August |
Full Lewis's Woodpecker species guide →
Frequently asked
What size hole does a Lewis's Woodpecker need?
2 1/2 in. A hole cut to this size admits the Lewis's Woodpecker (10.2–11 in) while keeping out larger competitors.
How big should a Lewis's Woodpecker house be inside?
A floor of 7 × 7 in. The Lewis's Woodpecker lays 5–9 eggs, so the floor has to hold the full clutch plus growing nestlings.
How high should I mount a Lewis's Woodpecker box?
12–20 ft. Mount on a pole with a predator baffle where possible rather than a tree or fence.
How long does a Lewis's Woodpecker use the box?
Incubation takes 12–16 days and the young stay in the nest 28–34 days. Broods per year: 1 per season.
Sources
- Lewis's Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker — 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.