American Robin nesting shelf
Published dimensions, a cut list for 1×12 (11 1/4 in.), and the placement rules that decide whether the brood survives. This is an open-fronted shelf rather than a box: no entrance hole at all, and a roof to keep rain off the nest.
American Robin
- Entrance Open frontshelf, not a box — no hole
- Floor 7 × 8 in.178 × 203 mm
- Roof height 8 in.203 mm
- Mounting height 6–15 ft1.8–4.6 m
Habitat and placement: Open-fronted shelf under an eave, porch roof, garage overhang, or shed beam — anywhere sheltered from rain and direct sun. Robins want a roof, not a hole.
Spacing between boxes: One shelf per structure; robins are territorial around the nest but will nest close to houses.
Predator guard: Height and an overhang are the real protection. Keep the shelf out of easy reach of cats and away from railings that give a jumping platform.
When to install: Late winter through March, before the first nesting attempt. Robins often raise two or three broods in a season.
Notes: This is a shelf, not a box: open front, partial sides, solid roof. No entrance hole at all — and no perch, which only helps predators.
Dimensions from: Published nesting-shelf plans (Chippewa Nature Center; NPCA)
No perch. Ever. A perch gives predators and House Sparrows a grip — cavity nesters do not need one.
Cut list
Every board you need, sized so the assembled box matches the published interior above. Pick your stock — the list updates.
1×12 (11 1/4 in.) · about 6 linear feet including waste
| Qty | Piece | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floor | 7 × 8 in. | Trim about 1/4 in. off each corner for drainage. |
| 2 | Side | 8 × 10 1/4 in. | Bevel the top edge: 8 3/4 in. at the front rising to 10 1/4 in. at the back. |
| 1 | Back | 8 1/2 × 18 1/4 in. | Runs 4 in. above and 4 in. below the box for mounting screws. |
| 1 | Roof | 12 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. | Overhangs 3 in. at the front and 1 in. each side; butts against the back board. |
Note: Open-fronted shelf: there is no front panel and no entrance hole.
Before you cut
- Untreated wood, 3/4 in. thick. Cedar, cypress, or pine. Never pressure-treated, and never paint or stain the interior.
- Score the inside face below the entrance so nestlings can climb out. Smooth plywood traps them.
- Drainage and ventilation. Trim the floor corners; leave gaps or drill holes near the top.
- Make one side or the front open so you can monitor and clean between broods.
- Baffle on a smooth metal pole. This matters more than height, orientation, or anything else on this page.
When and where to put up a nest box — timing by region, habitat matching, orientation, and predator guards that actually work.
Other species
- Eastern Phoebe open front
- Eastern Bluebird 1 1/2–1 9/16 in.
- Western Bluebird 1 9/16 in.