Barn owls are popular conservation targets and respond excellently to nest box provision. Understanding correct installation and monitoring improves welfare outcomes for these charismatic birds.
Barn owl nest box welfare involves both the birds using the box and the surrounding habitat quality. Boxes that overheat through south-facing installation cause chick mortality. Boxes without suitable hunting habitat in the surrounding landscape result in breeding attempts that fail through starvation. Nest monitoring by unlicensed individuals disturbs breeding birds at critical periods - causing egg and chick abandonment. The welfare-positive nest box programme requires correct siting, appropriate surrounding habitat management, and respectful non-disturbance of breeding birds. The Barn Owl Trust's installation guidance represents current best practice for maximising welfare benefit from box provision.