Build a bluebird house with this free tutorial. This Audubon design makes the nesting box easy to build, maintain, and predator-resistant.
I also have free plans for a wren nesting box and a chickadee nesting box.
Every species of bird has its own unique needs for a suitable nesting site. By understanding bluebirds and their native habitat, we can better understand what the birds need for nesting and how to provide it.
Birdhouses Versus Nesting Boxes: What’s Best For Birds shares what to look for when selecting a nesting box.
This selection from Audubon Birdhouse Book is used with permission from Quarto Publishing Group USA who also provided a review copy of this book.
There are 3 species of North American bluebirds: Eastern, Western, and Mountain.
See the Frequently Asked Questions section for more tips.
Dan Sparks and other members of the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) designed this updated bluebird nesting box. The aim was to make it attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators.
This was named the Xbox simply because it came from the design marked X. It has proven to be beneficial, providing safe, dry housing for countless, happy bluebirds.
The design is suitable for Eastern, Western, and Mountain bluebirds.
Lumber: cypress (used here), white cedar, hemlock, or local weather-resistant wood with low toxicity.
Exterior screws: twelve 1 5/8″ (basic construction); two to six 1 1/4” (roof to inner roof); and two 2″ (pole mounting block to back)
Caulk or sealant (sealing between top and inner roof)
One 2 1/2″ galvanized nail (bent, latch nail)
Mounting: One 1/2″ x 5′ galvanized metal conduit, one 1/2″ x 4-5′ steel rebar (for stake), and one conduit coupler (you can see how this works in the photo below)
Hole saws (you can see them here on Amazon) were used for the Xbox entrance and ventilation holes, as well as the mounting block. A table saw with its blade lowered was used for the drip kerfs on the underside of the roof and for the ladder kerfs on the inside of the front.
The back piece of the Xbox is attached to the inner roof. Two deck screws (15/8”) are installed with an impact driver.
Test-fit the attached back, unattached sides, and inner roof. Use a pencil to mark the placement of the recessed floor. Drive in screws.
Top of sides are attached to the inner roof above the entry hole.
Testing door on nesting box. " width="600" height="347" />
Pivot screws, driven into the front piece from the bottom of both sides, allow the front to open easily for checking and cleaning.
One galvanized nail (21/2”) is bent to create the latch nail. Drill the latch nail hole slightly downward.
The mounting block for the Gilbertson pole system is installed on the back of the Xbox with two exterior deck screws (2”). Note the predrilled ¼” hole on the mounting block.
Apply a bead (line) of all-purse low VOC caulk to the tip of the inner roof prior to installing the exterior roof.
The Gilberton pole system is easy to assemble. Drive rebar into the ground, leaving two feet above ground. Attach to the end of the conduit. Tighten upper, shorter screw against the coupler. Slip coupler over rebar. Tighten lower, longer screw against the rebar. Clean pole with steel wool and coat it with furniture polish. Add baffle if needed.
The Xbox is place onto the Gilbertson conduit/rebar pole, ready to become home for bluebirds and others.
Advice varies but these answers come from the most recent research I could find.
Where do bluebirds nest?Bluebirds tend to nest at the edge of forests or other wooded areas as well as in open country backyards. They prefer to nest away from humans, pets, as well as other birds that are competing for the same food resources.
Do bluebirds nest in the winter?Yes, some bluebirds nest in the winter months. Eastern bluebirds may nest as early as February and continue until early fall, raising two to three broods each year.
Do bluebirds reuse their nests?Yes, bluebirds will reuse their nests. If you have provided a nesting box, be sure to clean it out thoroughly between broods, when the juveniles have fledged, to prevent the spread of disease.
What color should a bluebird nesting box be?A bluebird nesting box should be made from natural, untreated wood and not painted or stained. Bluebirds will recognize a well-designed nesting box by the shape, dimensions, size of the entry hole, and location, not the color. Dark wood may retain too much heat for the babies to survive.
What size should a bluebird nesting box entry hole be?The entry hole to a bluebird nesting box should be 1 9/16-inch (first choice) or 1 1/2-inch in diameter.
Does a bluebird house need a perch?Perches are not necessary on bluebird nesting boxes and are considered unsafe because they help predators access the nest inside. A clear flight path to the box will allow the bluebirds to go to and from without any need for a perch.
Which way should you face bluebird house?Bluebirds like their nesting boxes in open, sunny areas with a clear flight path. Face the entry hole where it will get full sun. Avoid areas that get shade if possible.
How far apart should bluebird nesting boxes be?Bluebird nesting boxes should be spaced at least 125 yards apart. Bluebirds do not like competition for their food sources which means they naturally keep distance between nests. When placed closer together, the boxes made be used by non-competing species including chickadees and titmice but they will not be occupied by more than one mating pair of bluebirds.
Why won’t bluebirds use my bluebird house?There are a few reasons why bluebirds may not use a nesting box.
Are they commonly found in your area? If not, a box is not going to attract them.
If they do live locally, is your nesting box specifically designed for bluebirds? Every bird species needs a box designed specifically for their unique needs.
The box should be securely mounted on a pole, at least 5 to 10-feet off the ground, in an open, sunny area away from your house, people, or pets with a clear flight path to and from the box.
The surrounding gardens should be pesticide-free and provide plenty of food (insects, fruits, berries) to sustain the bluebirds and their young.
If all these things are in place, it can still take several nesting seasons for birds to finally use an available nesting box. Building trust takes time.
House sparrows may also bully bluebirds and disturb their nests.
The Audubon Birdhouse Book includes plans for building and locating nesting boxes for:
Find out which species are present in your area and build one a home.
Here is some footage from my backyard bird camera:
Just like us, birds need food, water, and shelter.
TIP:
Netvue Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder With Camera | To view the bird activity in your garden 24/7, an automated camera is an excellent option.
Also consider adding bee, bat, or owl boxes if you have a larger property. Or a nesting shelf for robins.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
