Ask A Scientist Zoology Archive

name         Holly E.
status       other
age          20s

Question -   What sort of built nesting structure would be
appropriate for sparrow hawks? I know that they are sometimes cavity
nestors, so
would something like a wood duck box suffice?
------------------------------------------------
Kestels (sparrow hawks) are ALWAYS cavity nesters. The Birder's Handbook
says that kestrels readily use nest boxes, but does not give size
specifications. My feeling is that wood duck boxes would be considerably
larger than necessary, though the birds might use them. A kestrel is only
about half the size of a wood duck.
J. Elliott
=========================================================