Barred Owl Nest Box Cam
The Barred Owl Monitoring Project is a collaobration between Schlitz Audubon Raptor Program Director Lindsay Focht and Dr. Bill Stout, a raptor researcher and licensed raptor bander. Each year, the initiative features a nest box live stream of wild Barred Owl pair Betty (female) and Maverick (male) as they embark on their nesting season, which runs March through May. Data collected on the owls provides insight into owl behavior in an urban setting, including home range size, diet preferences, and inter-species interactions.
Barred Owl Nest Box Update: The 2026 nesting season has ended for Betty and Maverick. We’re grateful we were able share a glimpse into their lives with the public, no matter the outcome. Thank you for following along and we look forward to going live again in 2027! For more information about our ambassador owls, check out our Meet the Raptors page.
For the safety of the birds, their offspring, and integrity of the project, all information regarding their location is private.
Significant Occurrences
Evening of March 4 – Betty laid the first egge
Evening of March 7 – Betty laid the second egg
March 19 – Both eggs appeared damaged
March 25 – Betty disposed of the eggs that were likely no longer viable
March 26 – Betty and Maverick’s nesting season ended
FAQ’s
We recommend contacting your local Wild Birds Unlimited store to see if they carry them. Otherwise, there are reputable businesses online—just make sure to check the dimensions of the box being offered as well as the material (cedar is best). You can also utilize these instructions to make your own!
- Clean out or place the box in early January.
- Line the bottom with 5-6 inches of wood shavings. Pine or hardwood shavings are recommended. Avoid cedar shavings and sawdust.
- For box placement, opt for south or southeast facing to maximize sunlight, about 20-30 feet up, and ideally within 200 feet of water in a hardwood area. Mount the box in an area where you frequently see owls. The closer you can get it into the core of their territory, the more likely they are to find it!
No, we do not recommend putting food out. If there are owls around that are seeking nesting cavities, they will find the nest box. See above for tips to provide a desirable nesting site.