Nest boxes · Massachusetts

Birdhouses for Massachusetts

20 cavity-nesting birds breed in Massachusetts. The first starts nesting in January, so the box season opens in December.

Local conditions

Growing zones: USDA 5a–7b
Winter: Snowy winters with nor'easters; Cape Cod is milder and holds more half-hardy birds.
Summer: Warm summers; nesting peaks late May to July.
Box nesters: 20 (15 year-round residents)
Hole sizes needed: 14 distinct

Humid continental with maritime influence on Cape Cod and the islands.

Box calendar for Massachusetts

Bird	Status	Hole	Height	Up by	Nesting	Clean out
Barred Owl	Year-round resident	7–8 in	12–20 ft	December	January–May	June
Hooded Merganser	Year-round resident	4 × 3 in oval	6–20 ft	January	February–May	June
Eastern Screech-Owl	Year-round resident	3 in	10–30 ft	February	March–May	June
American Kestrel	Year-round resident	3 in	10–30 ft	February	March–June	July
Wood Duck	Year-round resident	4 × 3 in oval	6–20 ft	February	March–June	July
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Year-round resident	2 1/2 in	10–20 ft	February	March–June	July
Eastern Bluebird	Summer breeder	1 1/2 in round (1 9/16 in for Mountain/Western overlap)	4–6 ft on a baffled pole	March	April–August	September
Black-capped Chickadee	Year-round resident	1 1/8 in round	5–15 ft	March	April–July	August
Downy Woodpecker	Year-round resident	1 1/4 in round	5–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings	March	April–June	July
Hairy Woodpecker	Year-round resident	1 1/2 in round	8–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings	March	April–June	July
Tufted Titmouse	Year-round resident	1 1/4 in round	5–15 ft	March	April–June	July
White-breasted Nuthatch	Year-round resident	1 1/4 in round	5–20 ft	March	April–June	July
Carolina Wren Southern Massachusetts; expanding.	Year-round resident	1 1/8–1 1/2 in	5–10 ft	March	April–August	September
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Year-round resident	2 1/2 in	12–20 ft	March	April–July	August
Northern Flicker	Year-round resident	2 1/2 in	6–20 ft	March	April–June	July
Purple Martin	Summer breeder	1 3/4–2 1/8 in round, or starling-resistant crescent (3 × 1 3/16 in)	10–20 ft on a telescoping pole, 40+ ft from trees	April	May–July	August
House Wren	Summer breeder	1 to 1 1/8 in round	5–10 ft near shrubs	April	May–August	September
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Year-round resident	1 1/4 in	5–15 ft	April	May–June	July
Tree Swallow	Summer breeder	1 1/2 in	5–10 ft	April	May–June	July
Great Crested Flycatcher	Summer breeder	1 3/4 in	8–20 ft	April	May–July	August

Nesting windows are shifted from each species' mid-latitude season by Massachusetts's latitude; year-round residents may also roost in boxes over winter, so clean them out in autumn and leave them up.

Frequently asked

When should I put up a birdhouse in Massachusetts?

By December for the earliest local nester, the Barred Owl, which starts nesting around January.

Which birds use nest boxes in Massachusetts?

Barred Owl, Hooded Merganser, Eastern Screech-Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Purple Martin, House Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Tree Swallow, Great Crested Flycatcher.

What hole size should a Massachusetts birdhouse have?

It depends on the bird: the 20 local box nesters use 14 different hole sizes. See the table for each species.

Sources

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.