Tree Swallow birdhouse dimensions & cut list
The exact entrance hole, floor size, depth, and mounting height for a Tree Swallow nest box — plus a cut-list generator for your lumber and a printable diagram.
Quick-answer dimensions
Cut-list generator
Printable dimension diagram
Placement & mounting
| Mounting height | 5-15 ft |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open fields, meadows, and shorelines near water; few trees. |
| Placement notes | Place in the open near water/fields, away from heavy tree cover. Pairing with a bluebird box 15-25 ft away can reduce competition between the two species. |
Materials & cautions
Materials checklist
- 3/4 in untreated cedar or pine (~1x6 or 1x8, ~3.5 ft)
- 1 1/4 in galvanized or exterior deck screws
- 1 1/2 in spade/Forstner bit
- Drainage + vent gaps
Cautions
- Open-habitat species; will not use boxes set in woods.
- No perch.
- Competes with bluebirds and House Sparrows; monitor.
Sources & how the cut list is computed
The biological requirements above (entrance hole 1.5 in round, floor 5x5 in, interior depth 6 in, entrance 5 in above the floor, mounting 5-15 ft) are curated from the sources below and last reviewed 2026-06-18.
The interactive cut-list is DETERMINISTIC GEOMETRY, not an official plan. It assumes a simple back-mounted butt-joint box: the front and back panels overlap the two side panels (front/back width = interior floor width + 2x board thickness), the side panels fit between them (side run = interior floor depth), the floor sits inside (interior floor width x depth), and the roof overhangs. Heights come from the species cavity depth; a sloped roof makes the back panel taller than the front by the chosen slope. It is labeled a STARTING cut list; users should verify against the linked official plan and their own joinery.
Hobby-woodworking and backyard-habitat information only. Not wildlife-rescue, veterinary, or medical advice. Follow local regulations; for native cavity-nesters, monitor responsibly and control invasive House Sparrows and European Starlings per local guidance.