The World Bird Sanctuary Mission

The primary mission of the World Bird Sanctuary is to preserve the earth’s biological diversity and to secure the future of threatened bird species in their natural environments. With the cooperation and support of small companies, corporations, foundations, and concerned private citizens who are dedicated to environmental protection, we work to fulfill this mission through education, captive breeding, field studies, and rehabilitation.

Today our world is witnessing episodes of extinction never before experienced in the history of mankind. Now more than ever, the importance of becoming aware of the problems facing wi ldlife is essential . The World Bird Sanctuary understands that we can insure biological diversity on earth only if humans learn to appreciate, understand, and support the roles and needs of each species. To this end the WBS, working in cooperation with Ameren Missouri, has initiated a nest box placement program to insure the survival of many songbird species.

Within the past 20 years, the population of songbirds has decreased by 15 to 30 percent, depending on the location. Today we face a tremendous challenge; protecting endangered or rare songbird populations from becoming extinct and pro-tecting populations of those still common species from becoming threatened. One way for private citizens to assist in the protection of habitat is by identifying and developing management strategies for high priority songbird habitat. You can also help by enforcing zoning regulations and by assisting in the p u r c h a s e o f e a s e m e n t s . T h e construction and placement of nesting boxes is perhaps the most direct way individuals and groups can become involved. This is an especially unique opportuni ty because i t al lows pr ivate individuals to truly participate in the protection of species and in some instances in the preservation of endangered species. Conservation is not a philosophy, but a way of life that ensures continued life for songbirds and other species.

World Bird Sanctuary

125 Bald Eagle Ridge Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088 636-225-4390 ext. 0

www.WorldBirdSancturary.org

Songbird Nest Box Plans

Team up with World Bird Sanctuary

and Ameren Missouri

to help our feathered friends

Build a birdhouse!

Peterson Bluebird Nest Box Plans

The data presented by WH Davis in the Journal of Field Ornithology in 1996, suggests that eastern bluebirds prefer this style of bird house over the traditional rectangular box.

Chickadee, Wren and Bluebird

Nest Box Plans

Placement & Notes: Mount the box 4 to 6 feet

above the ground, on a post. Face the entrance towards the nearest shrub. (Bluebirds like open or lightly wooded country.)

Clean the box after each nesting.

Once a bird takes up residence in the bird house, do not disturb it until the nesting season is over and the chicks have fledged. The birds may lay two to three clutches (sets of eggs) in one nesting season.

Wren Nest Box Plans Kestrel or Screech Owl Nest Box Plans

Placement: Place the box 15 to 30 feet above the ground, on the sides

of barns or in dead trees. Live trees are least desirable because raccoons and snakes seem to prey more there. Use only aluminum nails in live trees.

Locate the box in open or par-tially open land or at the edge of wooded draws, within 15 to 30 yards of a tree with dead limbs, a snag or power pole.

For screech owls, erect it 15 to 30 feet high in trees in the woods, along woodland edges or yards which have large trees. Have the house erected by March.

Placement: Mount or hang the house 6 to 10 feet high in or near a tree or

shrub. Wrens arrive about April

10-20th each year.