Sparrow hawks are the smallest, most colorful hawks. Their diet of mice, voles, insects, small birds and the rare small snake makes them beneficial for controlling rodents and other pests from your property.

This box may occasionally be used by squirrels, flying squirrels, bluebirds, starlings, other birds and even honey bees. All of these are part of our wildlife scene.

Screech owls are the smallest common owl and are widely seen throughout Missouri year-round. They have a diet similar to the sparrow hawk, eating almost any animal life from insects to mice.

The similarities don't stop there. Both birds typically have one brood per year and like the same type of housing.

This 2-page guide lays out the patterning for building hawk and owl houses and also offers some basic information on these birds. Keep your property rodent free this season by building a sparrow hawk or screech owl house.