Hairy Woodpecker nest box
Published dimensions, a cut list for 1×12 (11 1/4 in.), and the placement rules that decide whether the brood survives. The entrance is 1 1/2–2 in. — cut it to the smaller figure if the range gives you a choice, because a hole bored oversize cannot be made smaller and lets European Starlings in.
Hairy Woodpecker
- Entrance hole 1 1/2–2 in.38–51 mm
- Hole above floor 9–12 in.229–305 mm
- Floor 6 × 6 in.152 × 152 mm
- Cavity depth 12–15 in.305–381 mm
- Mounting height 12–20 ft3.7–6.1 m
Habitat and placement: Mature forest and large woodlots, often near standing dead timber. Less of a yard bird than Downy.
Spacing between boxes: One box per several acres of mature woods.
Predator guard: Hole guard plate. Tree-mounted boxes cannot be baffled, so accept some squirrel risk.
When to install: Fall or winter, like Downy Woodpecker.
Notes: Pack the box with wood chips. Hairy Woodpeckers take boxes far less often than Downies — treat one as a bonus, not an expectation.
Dimensions from: sialis.org spec compilation (hole range varies by source)
Unverified: Entrance hole is the least settled number on this card: published sources run from 1 1/2 to 2 3/4 in. Cut 1 1/2 in. unless you have a specific reason not to — it is the common recommendation, and a larger hole admits European Starlings.
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 9 linear feet including waste
| Qty | Piece | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floor | 6 × 6 in. | Trim about 1/4 in. off each corner for drainage. |
| 2 | Side | 6 × 17 1/4 in. | Bevel the top edge: 15 3/4 in. at the front rising to 17 1/4 in. at the back. |
| 1 | Back | 7 1/2 × 25 1/4 in. | Runs 4 in. above and 4 in. below the box for mounting screws. |
| 1 | Front | 7 1/2 × 15 3/4 in. | Bore a 1 1/2 in. hole, centred side to side, with its centre 12 3/4 in. up from the bottom edge. |
| 1 | Roof | 10 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. | Overhangs 3 in. at the front and 1 in. each side; butts against the back board. |
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
- Northern Flicker 2 1/2–3 in.
- Eastern Screech-Owl 2 1/2–4 in.
- Wood Duck 3–4 in.