Nest boxes should be placed in open fields, meadows or along hedgerows next to open areas. A grassy habitat should be near the box so kestrels can use it for hunting.

Kestrel nest boxes should be firmly attached to a support structure, such as a tree or post, 10 to 30 feet above the ground and spaced at least half a mile apart.

The support structure should have a sheet of aluminum secured around it to prevent squirrels from climbing and using the box.

Place 2 to 3 inches of sawdust in the bottom of the nest box.

Boxes should be installed no later than February 1st, to allow kestrels to find nest sites when first returning north.

Since starlings may use the box, check the box once a week and remove the nest and eggs of any starlings present. Starlings are unprotected by law and thus you are permitted to do this. Starling eggs are white with a blue-green tint, but other species such as bluebirds (bright blue eggs) and tree swallows (white eggs) may also use the nest box. Be sure you can identify the eggs, but when in doubt, wait for one of the parents to return for positive identification.

Clean out the kestrel box after each nesting season and replace the sawdust for next season's nesting pair.