Bluebird Birdhouse Plans Cut the sides, base, back, and roof of the bluebird bird house, to the sizes indicated in the drawings, and assemble them together, as shown in the diagrams, using 16 gauge galvanized finish nails. The entrance hole must be large enough for the bluebird to enter, yet small enough to keep out the larger sparrows and starlings. Thanks again for the plans. When the wood finally decays, I just build another birdhouse! They should be set out by February 15. utmost importance. Attach the front (part A) to one side piece (part C) using weather-resistant screws or nails. Mount the finished bluebird nest box between 5' to 10' above the ground and facing out towards an open field or grassy area. This slant-front bluebird house is a bit more challenging to build than the basic nesting box, but the interesting design is worth the effort. Feb 9, 2016 - Free bluebird house plans with video instruction. We rarely see them. I never realized that you had to build a special house for the bluebird. Position the partially assembled bluebird house box to the back (part B), leaving 1/2" space above the side pieces. If the front piece is a bit too long, mark and cut the bottom of the front so that its bottom edge is flush with the bottom edges of the sides. How to Build a Bluebird Birdhouse: Building a birdhouse can be a difficult, yet rewarding task. Bluebirds are as beneficial as they are beautiful: they prey on large numbers of moths, caterpillars, crickets, and other bugs. Leave the house unpainted or choose a light tan, natural shade. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Ideally, the birdhouse should be mounted securely to a 4x4 post and facing towards an open area. There are three species of bluebirds in North America: the Eastern, the Western, and the Mountain Bluebirds. Once a house is mounted, it should be inspected regularly but can be left out year-round for roosting birds. Bluebird populations suffered and declined in the 1960s but rebounded with help from concerned birdwatchers. Do not paint the interior or the entrance rim, where paint chips could endanger hatchlings. Use the entrance hole to center and drive a mounting screw through the back section. Mount the entrance guard on a bias to create a diamond shape. By using The Spruce, you accept our. Proper habitat is critical, and open woodlands and forest edges along golf courses, in parks, near pastures, or adjacent to farmlands are ideal places to encourage nesting bluebirds. I made this bluebird house several years ago. I also use tung oil to protect and bring out the grain of hardwoods including mahogany, walnut, and teak. Free Bluebird House Plans. Remove any perches that could serve as handholds for opportunistic predators. A bluebird house should be mounted on a pole or post roughly 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) above the ground in a relatively open area, with the entrance facing a large tree or shrub 25-100 feet (7.6-30.4 m) away. Line up the remaining side (part C) with the bottom of the front (part A). Question: How high should you mount a Bluebird birdhouse? To determine the angle of the cut, measure up 10-1/2" from one end and make a mark. If desired, carve a few striations beneath the entrance hole to provide a better grip for bluebirds' talons. Attach the bottom (part E) to the sub-assembly. I hope this helps to make building this bluebird house a fun and successful project. Position the front section against one of the side pieces to test the fit. Bluebirds eat mostly bugs and berries, and they are typically not interested in bird feeders filled with birdseed. I've used several different types of wood to including cedar, redwood and pine to build birdhouses. The exact size of the entrance hole into the bluebird nest box is very important. The only thing I would caution against would be mounting your bluebird nesting box on a tree. Our garden strives to provide the four essential requirements for bluebirds and other feathered visitors: food, shelter, water, and nesting areas. Just getting ready to make a couple of your bluebird houses using your plans.My question what board did you use to make the roof ? Position the birdhouse away from trees and shrubs that can provide hiding places for predators. I purchased a 6" long Philips head bit for my portable drill to reach through the entrance hole and drive a screw through the back piece and into a post or tree. They have been house hunting (checking out my two nesting boxes). While the pine won't last forever, pine is inexpensive, readily available and birdhouses are fun to make. That vegetation will provide convenient foraging for adults, and it is a safe and reachable escape for fledgling… This helps to protect the wood from the elements. I let the bluebirds gather the nesting materials themselves. The large roof creates overhangs along the front and both sides to protect the nest box from rain. It's May in Connecticut and right now, I have bluebirds nesting in a box that faces south and another that faces west. Secure the back section to the fixed side piece with nails or screws. Bird watchers and gardeners try to attract bluebirds into their yards, both for their beauty and for the beneficial role they play in eating many different types of insects. All bluebirds are cavity-nesting species, and they need safe, secure locations to raise their broods. Bluebirds can be wary and may take a few seasons to become accustomed to a house and choose it for a nesting site. A simple, easy to make and effective bluebird birdhouse. Continuing human development, particularly in the eastern bluebird's range, has removed many natural cavities these birds need for successful nests, making proper birdhouses even more critical. They also suffer from competition with the larger starlings and sparrows, who will drive the smaller bluebirds away from potential nesting sites. This project yields two bluebird houses; two houses are preferable to increase the chances of getting a bluebird in one of the houses. Cut the 10" x 4" front door section and drill a 1-1/2" entry hole, centered 7" above the bottom of the door. They can also be enticed to visit gardens that cater to their basic needs while providing an environment that makes them feel safe and secure. I need to modify one that is designed for Eastern bluebirds. Many bird enthusiasts put up bluebird houses specifically designed just for the bluebird. The entrance hole for eastern bluebirds is 1-1/2" in diameter, letting the bluebirds in but keeping out the larger starlings. Staining or painting the outside further protects the wood from the elements. Bluebirds may also be subject to brood parasitism from brown-headed cowbirds, and young cowbird chicks can smother bluebird hatchlings and keep them from getting sufficient food and care. The. Answer: Bluebirds can be quite finicky when searching for a place to raise their young, though they tend to be more particular about the size and placement of the birdhouse than its color. Bluebird houses are easy to build from cedar, redwood or pine. The bluebird house plans (below) show how the pieces fit together. Assembled with specific dimensions designed to replace the natural hollows and cavities found in mature trees, a homemade bluebird house will provide a safe location for bluebirds to nest and hatch their eggs. Anthony Altorenna (author) from Connecticut on April 01, 2019: Thank you for visiting, and for taking the time to point out the typo with the dimensions. Anthony Altorenna (author) from Connecticut on April 04, 2015: Thanks for stopping by, and for your comment.