How do you make a simple bluebird house?

What is the best design for a bluebird house?

They found that, when given a choice, eastern bluebirds consistently chose to nest in boxes with oval holes measuring 2 inches tall and 1 3/8 inches wide. (Oval holes can easily be fashioned by drilling two overlapping holes using a 1 3/8-inch drill bit.)

Which way do you face a bluebird house?

The house should face south or southeast. Selecting a suitable location for the bluebird house is of house. They should be set out by February 15.

How high does a bluebird house need to be?

Height: Bluebirds nest within a wide range of heights, from two to 50 feet. Mounting at eye level provides easy checking; however, if cats or other predators are problems, hang nest boxes at least six to eight feet from the ground.

How do I attract bluebirds to my bluebird house?

How to Attract Bluebirds
  1. Install a Bluebird Nesting Box in your back yard. …
  2. Place the box in an open area five to six feet off the ground. …
  3. Provide food such as meal worms, suet balls or seed consisting all or in part of sunflower chips.
  4. Water in the form of a small pond or bird bath.

Should bluebird houses be in the shade?

Bluebirds prefer open grassy areas, fields and no shade. It’s best to have a place where high grass and weeds do not grow beneath the nest box. Boxes should be posted five to six feet off the ground, although boxes placed a little higher usually suffice.

Does bluebird house need perch?

No Perches – bluebird boxes do NOT need perches on the exterior of the box. Since bluebirds are cavity nesting birds, their feet are adapted to clinging to wood. Also, the presence of a perch may attract house sparrows which seem to prefer them.

What is the best color to paint a bluebird house?

Bluebirds prefer earthy tones, such as the colors of grass and dirt. For this reason, shades of brown and green are good choices. Bright colors attract other birds and predators, which is detrimental to bluebirds.

Do bluebird houses need cleaned out each year?

Nest boxes should be cleaned out each year. You will greatly increase the chance of bluebirds (and other desirable species) nesting in your box if it is cleaned annually; this is why our box design comes with a pivoting door.

How do you keep sparrows out of a bluebird house?

How do you keep snakes out of bluebird houses?

Where do bluebirds sleep at night?

Where do bluebirds sleep at night? Sleeping places include pastures, orchards, parks, and meadows. Eastern Bluebirds will build nests in tree cavities to protect their young, in a behavior similar to that of woodpeckers. Bluebirds will sometimes construct their nests within abandoned woodpecker holes of trees.

When should I put up a bluebird house?

Have your bluebird boxes in place by early spring when the bluebirds are looking for nesting sites. Boxes may also be put up later in the nesting season. In areas where bluebirds are present year round, they may use nestboxes for roosting on cold nights.

What is the best wood for bluebird houses?

Cedar
Cedar is the clear choice when is comes to the best wood to use for a bluebird house. It’s water-resistant, decay-resistant, and insect-resistant. There are also many great alternatives like redwood, pine, exterior-grade plywood, and fir.

How close should bluebird houses be?

Spacing: Bluebirds are competitive and usually claim two or three acres, so be sure their houses are widely spaced. Eastern bluebird houses should be 100-150 yards apart, and Mountain and Western bluebirds should be over 200 yards apart.

Do chickadees take over bluebird houses?

A Black-capped Chickadee nest taken over by Eastern Bluebirds. If you have two desireable species competing for a box, put up another one. However, sometimes, for some reason (territoriality?) birds often want the box the other bird is using.

Will a Carolina wren nest in a bluebird house?

Wrens can sometimes cause problems for bluebirds because the males build “dummy nests” in multiple places to give their mates multiple options for nesting sites. This limits the availability of nesting cavities for bluebirds.

Where should I put my bluebird house in my backyard?

Place nest boxes in the sunniest, most open area possible, away from your house or deep shade. Bluebirds prefer large expanses of short grass with a clear flight path, ideally facing a field. Try not to place the house too close to feeders. Make sure it is mounted 5 to 10 feet off the ground.

What makes a good bluebird house?

Proper habitat is critical, and open woodlands and forest edges along golf courses, parks, near pastures, or adjacent to farmlands are ideal places to encourage nesting bluebirds. They will nest in backyard houses as well, provided there is sufficient open space for foraging and nearby perches to use.

How do you attach a bluebird house to a pole?

There are several ways to mount your bluebird house on the pole. One method involves drilling 5/16-inch holes in the pipe and birdhouse, then using 1/4-inch bolts to fasten the house to the pole. You can also use pipe straps or electrical conduit hangers.

What attracts bluebirds to your yard?

In winter, bluebirds add berries and other fruit to their diet, so planting trees and shrubs native to your area is a natural way to attract them. Junipers, dogwoods, sumacs, hollies, serviceberries and elderberries are good choices. Just add water.