Bird Houses & Nesting Box Woodworking Plan
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Eastern Bluebirds use the below bird house. Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice, Wrens, Tree and Violet Green Swallows (and sparrows) may also use it.
Please follow this link to get woodworking instructions for a birdhouse preferred by Western Bluebirds & Mountain Bluebirds. In areas where the Eastern Bluebird range overlaps that of the Mountain Bluebird, use this nestbox which will accommodate all three bluebirds.
Eastern Bluebird Nestbox:
- Durable Rough-Cut Red Cedar Screw Assembly
- Pre-Drilled Countersunk Pilot Holes
- Hinged Roof Secured with Shutter Hooks for Easy Access
- Corrosion Resistant Hardware
This nest box is constructed with Red Cedar. Wood stock is rough-cut on both sides so birds can grip interior and exterior surfaces.
It has a 4" by 4" floor (inside dimensions), 9" floor to ceiling (inside front), 1 1/2" diameter entrance hole located 7" above the floor (to top of hole) and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof. The hinged roof provides easy access for monitoring and cleaning.
Shutter hooks secure roof in closed position. Pilot holes in both primary and secondary work pieces makes for easy assembly in minutes.
Mount on a post about four feet high with partial sun and shade (see Eastern Bluebird species page for specific habitat and mounting instuctions.) In areas where the Eastern Bluebird range overlaps that of the Mountain Bluebird, use the larger nestbox for Mountain Bluebirds and Western Bluebirds which will accommodate all three bluebirds.
Make a "bluebird trail" of several houses about 100 yards apart; further in wide open expanses and closer in clearings of wooded areas. Monitor the boxes for unwanted squatters.
Deter predators with steel posts or sheet metal wrapped around wood posts. Avoid shade, but also avoid direct sunlight through the entrance if possible.
Tree Swallow Nestboxes placed between bluebird nest boxes invite good neighbors that will help defend against sparrows, but the bird houses also invite sparrows, so monitor the swallow houses as well as the bluebird houses.
Remove the nest in late summer or fall after the brood rearing seasons are over.
Safety First
Assemble woodworking projects in a safe area.on a work bench at a height between waist and chest. Wear eye protection. Eye injuries are the most common assembly mishap. Keep hardware and tools away from children.and infants; store away when not in use.
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
