How to Attract Horned Owls

The horned owl benefits property owners by reducing pest species, such as rabbits and field mice, naturally. Unwanted birds or rodents will often vacant the premises when a horned owl takes up residence. Gardeners often place plastic horned owls within the garden to deter unwanted pests from the vegetables. Encouraging a live horned owl to frequent the area will prove far more successfully at eliminating unwanted landscape visitors. Providing the horned owl with an adequate nest site in an area with food will help encourage the majestic bird to willingly take up residence.

Things You'll Need

  • Ladder
  • Wire
  • 3-by-3-foot, 1-inch mesh chicken wire
  • 3-by-3-foot tar paper
  • Stick and twigs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prop a ladder securely against the side of a tree, which should be at least 12 inches in diameter where the nest will be located.

    • 2

      Create a nest structure or platform in an old tree at least 15 to 20 feet from the ground. Opportunistic nesters, the horned owl does not make its own nest but utilizes existing nests. Choose an old tree or construct a structure that can hold and support a large nest.

    • 3

      Use 1-inch mesh chicken wire measuring 3-by-3 feet. Cut a diagonal line from one corner of the chicken wire to the center point, and form a concave shape that measures approximately 14 inches deep. Cradle the concave mesh from branch to branch in a crotch of the tree, securing it to the branches with wire. The chicken wire should form a concave-shaped nest hammock platform when complete.

    • 4

      Line the interior of the formed chicken wire with tar paper. Cut a 1-inch drain hole in the middle of the tar paper.

    • 5

      Weave sticks and branches into the tar paper and the edges of the chicken wire platform. The sticks and branches should form a visually appealing nest to attract the horned owl.