How To Build a Bluebird House

Things You Need:

1" x 6" x 6 ft Board
(pine, cedar or redwood)

Basic woodworking tools and skills
Cut the board into the following parts:

Qty Description Size

1 -- Front (part A) 5½" W x 9½" L
1 -- Back (part B) 13½" W x 5½" L
2 -- Sides (part C) 10¾" W x 4" L
1 -- Roof (part D) 7½" W x 7½" L
1 -- Bottom (part E) 4" W x 4" L
1 -- Entrance guard (Part F) 3½" W x 3½" L

Cut the sides (part C) on a 22½ degree angle to create the slope for attaching the oversized roof. To determine the angle of the cut, measure up 10 ¾" from one end and make a mark. From the same end, measure up 9" up the other side of the board and make another mark. Then, use a ruler or straight edge to draw a line to connect the marks. Cut along the line to create an angled side piece. The sides are ½" shorter than the front section (part A). When aligned to the bottom edges and joined together, the shorter sides create a ½" gap under the roof line for air circulation and ventilation.

Layout and the drill the 1½" entrance hole in the front (part A). Measure up 6½" from the bottom edge, centering the entrance hole across the width of the front section. Use a Forsner bit, hole saw or paddle bit to drill the entrance hole.

Cut a 22½ degree bevel across the top of the front section (part A), to match the slope of the roof and sides.

Clip off each corner of the bottom section (part E) at a 45 degree angle, creating a gap for drainage gap. Drill four or five additional ¼" holes, spaced evenly in the bottom section for additional drainage.

Attach the front (part A) to one side piece (part C). This is the fixed side, while the other side is hinged to allow access to the finished nest box for periodic cleaning. Attach the bottom (part E) to the sub-assembly.

Line up the remaining side (part C) with the bottom of the front (part A). To create a hinge, secure the side section to the front assembly with one nail or screw driven into edge approximately 1" down from the top.

Position the partially assembled bluebird house box to the back (part B), leaving ½" space above the side pieces. Secure the fixed side to the back section with nails or screws. Then, create the hinged side by driving one nail or screw one through the back (part B) to form a pivot point. Position the hinge screws in the front and back sections directly across from each other, enabling the door to open easily (refer to the side view drawing). Drill and counter sink a screw hole along the center of the bottom edge. A single short screw will secure the door, yet allow easy access for cleaning

Attach the oversized roof to the back and front sections. The large roof creates overhangs along the front and both sides to protect the nest box from rain.

Drill a 1½" hole into the center of the entrance guard (part F). Round off the edges with sandpaper, or use a ¼ round over bit to create a finished edge. Mount the entrance guard on a bias for a visually appealing diamond shape.

Mount the finished bluebird nest box between 5' to 10' above the ground. Use the entrance hole to center and drive a mounting screw through the back, and drive a second screw through the lower section of the back below the nesting box. The bluebird house should face out towards an open field or grassy area.

Make a simple cleat system for hanging projects such as birdhouses and window boxes. The cleat is made by ripping a piece of stock at a 45 degree angle.

Start with a piece of wood at least four inches wide, and slightly shorter than the width of the feeder. Tilt the table saw blade to 45 degrees, then set the fence to 2 ½" from the blade to rip the stock into two mirror image pieces, each with a 45 degree bevel cut along one edge.

Attached one of the pieces to the back of the project with the 45 degree angle of the cleat pointing downward to form an inverted "V" between the back of the feeder and the outside surface of the cleat.

Attach the second piece where you want to hang the feeder, this time with the "V" of the cleat facing upward. Use weather resistant screws, and make sure the cleat is level.

When fitted together, the two 45 degree "V"s from each piece lock together to securely hold the feeder in place.

Add a filler strip along the bottom edge of the feeder, below the cleat on the backside, to hold the feeder upright and plumb. Cut the filler strip to the same thickness as the cleats.

The exact size of the entrance hole into the bluebird nest box is very important. The entrance hole must be large enough for the bluebird, but small enough to keep out the larger sparrows and starlings.

Eastern Bluebirds fit comfortably through a 1 1/2" entrance hole.

In areas with Mountain Bluebirds, increase the size of the entrance hole to 1-9/16" in diameter.

Western Bluebirds will use either size, though some bird watchers report a higher success rate when using the 1-9/16" diameter entrance hole to the nesting box.

Do not use nest boxes with a 1 5/8" entrance hole, which is large enough for starlings to enter.

There are three species of bluebirds in North America: the Eastern, the Western and the Mountain bluebirds.

Bluebirds eat bugs and berries, but are not attracted to bird feeders filled with birdseed.

Bluebirds like mealworms, and will visit feeders filled with live or freeze-dried mealworms.

Eastern bluebirds can have up to three broods per season.

Bluebird eggs are pale blue in color.

In winter, several bluebirds will often roost together in a bluebird house for warmth.

Bluebird populations suffered and declined in the 1960's, but rebounded with the help from concerned birdwatchers. The North American Bluebird Society was formed to encourage and instruct and encourage people to build and hang bluebird houses.

Image: Public Domain

Bird watchers and gardeners try to attract bluebirds into their yards, both for their beauty and for the beneficial role they play by eating many different types of insects.

Bluebirds inhabit open spaces in rural areas, and they are often found near fields, pastures and in open areas at the edge of woodlands. They can also be enticed to visit gardens that cater to their basic needs while providing an environment to make them feel safe and secure.

Our garden strives to provide the four essential requirements for bluebirds and other feathered visitors: Food, Shelter, Water and Nesting Areas. Plantings include a mixture of native and cultivated perennials and shrubs, planted along and under the mature oak trees where the birds can find berries and hunt for bugs.

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