How To Attract Bluebirds
One of the best ways to attract bluebirds to your area, is to provide them with proper nesting boxes. If you’re the handy type and would prefer to build your own bluebird house, rather than buy one, we’ve listed 3 of the top designs with the pros & cons for each.
There are different ways to build your nesting boxes and for the most part, any style will work well. One thing you’ll want to be sure and get correct, is the hole size. A properly sized hole will help to keep other birds from taking over the nests from the bluebirds.
"http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/eastwestbox.htm">Eastern or Western Bluebird Box (click link for visual details)
This is a nice, simple, time tested design that is relatively easy to build. The cuts needed are pretty straightforward and the majority of the house can be built from a 4ft long 1” X 6” with very little lumber waste. The roof calls for a 1” X 10” X 10 1/2” board.
I’ve built several houses using this plan and instructed others using the design. I just think it works well and is quite simple. No special tools are needed
"http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/gilbertson.htm">Gilbertson Bluebird Nestbox (click link for visual details)
This is a very unique design that I really like! Instead of using all wood, the main body of the house is built using 4 inch thinwall PVC so it can be constructed very inexpensively. It can also be easily painted to look like the trunk of a tree. At first glance, the instructions might appear complicated, but they’re really not. You’ll note that 2 designs are shown. One design uses a slotted entrance near the top of the PVC and one with a standard round hole.
The Gilbertson nestbox is going to involve a little more work than the Eastern / Western bluebird box we discussed previously, but if you’re looking for something that stands out from everyone else’s bluebird boxes, this might just be what you’re looking for!
"http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/peterson.htm">Peterson Nestbox (click link for visual details)
The Peterson box is an all wood design, but is also very unique in appearance. The design is relatively simple and looks easy enough on paper, but some of the angled cuts needed for the individual pieces might be more than the “shadetree” carpenter would want to tackle. A table saw and miter saw are almost a must to build this nestbox properly. If you have the tools to make the cuts, then by all means consider the Peterson nestbox as an option.
One thing about the Peterson box is that the floor is slanted forward so care must be taken when opening the front of the box. If nestlings or eggs are present, they can be dumped out the front!
The key to building a great bluebird nestbox is taking your time and following the directions. If you do this, you shouldn’t have any trouble building any of these plans.
Nestboxes are a great way to attract and encourage bluebirds to your yard and to help in the conservation efforts of the bluebird.
Chris Hoyt is an avid bird watcher and internet entrepreneur. More information can be found at www.bluebirdshome.com
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