Building a kestrel nest box is fairly easy; the challenging part is putting your nest box up in just the right place and in the right way so kestrels will use the box. Be sure to follow all of these important tips to increase the chance that kestrels will use your nest box.

1. You must put your nest box in the right habitat. Kestrels are open country birds. They don't nest in forests. Look for places where you often see kestrels hunting. Your nest box is designed to take the place of natural nesting cavities in large trees. If there are plenty of large trees with woodpecker holes already there, keep looking. Ideally, you want to find a place where kestrels are hunting, but not nesting: a place where there are no large trees for nesting, but there is still open country with mice and insects for hunting.

2. Kestrels will nest fairly close (1/4 mile) to people, houses, etc., but they will not nest in your backyard in town. For best results, make sure your nest box is at least 200 yards away from people or buildings.

3. Farms, ranches, orchards, croplands or other agricultural areas are often ideal places to put up a nest box. It's great if your family, or a friend owns the land, but if not, don't trespass! You must get permission from the landowner first. You might need to teach the landowners about kestrels. Be sure to explain how kestrels help control the populations of rodents and insects.

4. Be safe! Children should never put up a kestrel nest box alone. Make sure at least one adult is helping. Contact professional tree climbers, pole climbers, firemen, or utility workers and ask if they will help you put the box up. Use a ladder and make sure someone holds the bottom of the ladder. Don't work alone!

5. Your nest box should be at least 10 feet above the ground, preferably between 15-20 feet high. You could go higher, but it is not necessary and it will usually make it more difficult to put the nest box up.

6. Mount the nest box so it is either vertical, or tilted just slightly towards the ground. Don't mount it tilted up towards the sky. You want to keep the rain out!

7. The nest box entrance hole should face east or southeast towards the rising sun. Make sure the box receives afternoon shade; mount it on the east side of the pole or tree. In warm climates this is especially important.

8. There are lots of ways to mount, or attach, the box. If you are mounting onto something wooden, large screws are best but good solid 16p nails will work too. Be sure to pre-drill holes in the box backboard, so you don't split it. Use two nails on the top and one or two on the bottom. Make sure the box is secure and won't wiggle. Remember, if the box isn't solidly secure, predators like raccoons might knock it loose, causing it to fall to the ground. If you are mounting onto something metal, pre-drill two holes on the top and two holes on the bottom of the backboard. Use bailing wire to wrap 3 or 4 times through your box holes and around the metal pole. Make sure the bailing wire is tight, and no loose ends are sticking out that could harm an incoming kestrel.

9. Be creative! Remember, there are lots of ways to mount or attach your nest box. Just make sure it is totally secure. Above all, be safe. Don't take chances and never work alone. Children must have at least one adult helping.