Plans For Building A Bluebird House

Bluebirds are beautiful, beneficial birds that can brighten up any backyard. They are also cavity nesters, which means they need a place to build their nests that is sheltered from the elements and predators. Building a bluebird house is a great way to attract these birds to your yard, and it's a relatively easy project that can be completed in a few hours.

Materials You'll Need

To build a bluebird house, you will need the following materials:

1-inch thick untreated cedar or redwood lumber
1/2-inch thick plywood
1-1/2-inch wood screws
Drill
Saw
Measuring tape or ruler
Pencil
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Paint or stain (optional)

Instructions

To build a bluebird house, follow these instructions:

Cut the following pieces of lumber:

Front: 5-1/2 inches wide by 8-1/2 inches tall
Back: 5-1/2 inches wide by 8-1/2 inches tall
Sides: 5-1/2 inches wide by 6 inches tall (2 pieces)
Roof: 6 inches wide by 8 inches tall (2 pieces)
Floor: 5-1/2 inches wide by 5-1/2 inches tall
Entrance hole: 1-1/2 inches in diameter

Drill the entrance hole in the front of the house, 1-1/2 inches from the top and 1-1/2 inches from the side.
Assemble the house by gluing and screwing the sides to the front and back.
Attach the floor to the bottom of the house.
Attach the roof to the top of the house.
Sand the house smooth and paint or stain it if desired.

Tips

Here are a few tips for building a bluebird house:

Use untreated cedar or redwood lumber, as these woods are naturally rot-resistant.
Make sure the entrance hole is 1-1/2 inches in diameter. This is the correct size for bluebirds, but it is too small for most other birds.
Place the house in a sunny location, at least 5 feet off the ground. This will help to protect the birds from predators.
Clean the house out each year after the birds have finished nesting. This will help to prevent the spread of disease.

Conclusion

Building a bluebird house is a great way to attract these beautiful, beneficial birds to your yard. By following these instructions, you can build a house that will provide a safe and comfortable nesting site for bluebirds for many years to come.