Oak Titmouse house dimensions
The Oak Titmouse nests in tree 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
- 5.1–5.9 in, 0.5–0.7 oz
- Clutch
- 3–9 eggs
- Incubation
- 14–16 days
- Time in nest
- 16–21 days
- Broods
- 1 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 Oak Titmouse 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 | January | February–May | June |
| Oregon | February | March–May | June |
Full Oak Titmouse species guide →
Frequently asked
What size hole does a Oak Titmouse need?
1 1/4 in. A hole cut to this size admits the Oak Titmouse (5.1–5.9 in) while keeping out larger competitors.
How big should a Oak Titmouse house be inside?
A floor of 4 × 4 in. The Oak Titmouse lays 3–9 eggs, so the floor has to hold the full clutch plus growing nestlings.
How high should I mount a Oak 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 Oak Titmouse use the box?
Incubation takes 14–16 days and the young stay in the nest 16–21 days. Broods per year: 1 per season.
Sources
- Oak Titmouse — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Oak Titmouse life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Oak 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.