Saturday, April 27, 2024

Bluebird Houses: The Definitive Guide 7 FREE Plans!

bluebird house design

As you can imagine, there are thousands of different plans for birdhouses available online. The problem is that most of them are not designed with bluebirds in mind. To complicate the issue, bluebirds are unable to make their own nest cavity. So in the wild, bluebirds rely on holes in trees that woodpeckers excavated in seasons past. Relocating a bluebird house with care and consideration for their preferences increases the chances of attracting these beautiful birds to your garden.

A few thoughts on bird houses in Los Angeles

Then I’ll give my opinion on the best nest box to use if you have issues with house sparrows in your yard or on your bluebird trail. You see, sparrows hate light inside their nest, but Bluebirds don’t mind it at all. By putting in a skylight and letting in more light, sparrows will stay away, naturally. For a few bucks and a few minutes of your time, all your Bluebird houses will be much safer for your Bluebirds and their families by keeping invasive house sparrows away. The Bluebird house plans from Nestbox Builder show you how to use a PVC pipe to construct the house. That makes it extremely durable and, along with the rebar and conduit mounting system, allows you to place this Bluebird nest box practically anywhere.

Three Designed Birdhouse Plans

The slanted front and smaller “cupped” nest cavity also seem to be disliked by house sparrows. While this nest box is highly attractive to bluebirds and much less attractive to house sparrows, it is a difficult nest box to build. It requires a little more advanced woodworking skills than other types of nest boxes. If you’re up for the task, check out the original Gilwood nest box plans from Steve Gilbertson here. The nest box features an extremely large entrance hole at the top of the box which allows sunlight to enter the nest box, even when birds are going in and out. Bluebirds seem to prefer light entering the nest box while house sparrows don’t (source).

Building the Anti-Sparrow Bluebird House

Bluebirds and other species often use nest boxes for roosting in cold weather. Even with nest boxes in place, bluebirds must compete with both introduced and native species that also want  to call these nest boxes their home. Knowing where to  place and where not to place bluebird nest boxes is critical. Chickadees and titmice, for example, prefer nest boxes near or under mature trees or within woodlands and forests. By contrast, bluebirds like nest boxes out in the open; even a small yard with open spaces will suit a bluebird. Most important, bluebirds need to live near a ready supply of insect food.

Bluebird Houses: The Definitive Guide (7 FREE Plans!)

bluebird house design

The “two-hole mansion” bluebird nest boxes are larger nest boxes with two holes instead of one. The advantage is that it provides an escape route for adult birds under attack. The large, deep interior gives nestlings more room and protects them against predation. You may have read that the Gilbertson nest box style prevents house sparrows.

Cedar Wren House with Metal Roof for Wrens and Chickadees

To enhance and protect your painted surfaces, consider sealing them with FolkArt Home Decor Wax. With positive user feedback on color variety and coverage, this Sage Blossom paint can help transform your furniture and home decor projects effectively. When selecting bluebird house plans, durability factors play a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and sturdiness of the nesting structure.

In our experience, most kits are designed to be removed without leaving any residue or causing harm to the windows. Lastly, verify the company's licenses, insurance coverage, and adherence to industry standards for credibility and reliability. A strong reputation is a key factor in choosing the right window installation company for your home. Look for certifications, awards, and accreditations as indicators of their commitment to quality. Research the company's history and track record of successful installations to ensure they've the necessary experience.

Youtuber DIY with Wayne has a great way of explaining and, to help you even more, has a link to free PDF plans. This would be a great project for a parent to create with their child and teach them proper tool handling basics. From Youtuber Larry Satchwell, this attractive, easy-to-make free Bluebird house is made in the Kentucky style. Mr. Satchwell goes through all the steps to create the Bluebird house. His laid-back, easygoing voice makes watching and rewatching the video pleasant as you work.

Winter Nest Box Maintenance - maryland.gov

Winter Nest Box Maintenance.

Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cut an optional 12 degree angle along the top edge of the back piece if you want it to meet flush with the roof. Then place the assembled front and sides on top of the back piece, leaving the top of the back board 1/4 inch higher than the sides. The mounting block for the gilbertson pole system is installed on the back of the xbox with two exterior deck screws (2”).

In another article I wrote, I went through the proper entrance hole size for each species of bluebirds. By taking these steps, you can help create a safe environment for Eastern Bluebirds while discouraging sparrows from nesting in your bluebird house. The ideal entrance height for your bluebird house is 6-10 inches above the floor of the house.

How to Build a Wood Duck Nest Box - National Audubon Society

How to Build a Wood Duck Nest Box.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:46:40 GMT [source]

Yes, these window installation kits can be easily removed without damaging the windows. We've found that they typically come with instructions on how to safely uninstall them. When choosing a company, look for one that provides services such as window replacement, new window installation, and window repair. It's important to consider companies that can offer customized solutions tailored to meet your specific requirements. We prioritize window installation companies that offer a diverse range of services to cater to various needs and preferences, ensuring a comprehensive solution for your home. Experienced companies are better equipped to handle challenges efficiently, leading to smoother installations.

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. You could also try placing a second box nearby as manyspecies such as tree swallows and bluebirds can occupy nest boxes very closetogether without problems. Below we have included free bluebird house plans, a simple one-board boxthat's relatively easy to build. Building bluebird nest boxes is a great way to help conserve birds at the locallevel. An extension for the entrance hole to your bluebird house makes it more difficult for predators to reach down into the nest. Entrance hole guards don’t work well for raccoons but are sufficient for most other predators.

This nest box has been shown over and over again to deter house sparrows and be attractive to bluebirds, specifically eastern bluebirds. I personally have used this type of nest box in areas where we’ve had persistent house sparrow problems. Click here to see where you can get your own Gilbertson bluebird house on my Recommended Tools page. The best materials for a bluebird house are natural cedar or redwood. These woods are durable, weather-resistant, and provide insulation for nestlings.

Its coverage of 8 square feet, along with the broad spectrum of colors available, provides artists with creative freedom. The consistent quality, fast-drying properties, and affordability of Apple Barrel paints make them a popular choice for artists of all levels. With its high-quality pigments and versatile application on various surfaces, Artecho Green Acrylic Paint in Sage Green offers painting enthusiasts a vibrant color option for their creative projects. This acrylic paint, coming in a 4.05oz tube, boasts great light fastness and a gloss finish, ensuring your artwork stands out. With compliance to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards, this non-toxic paint is safe for both interior and exterior use. Artecho provides 26 colors to choose from, allowing for excellent mixability and a wide color palette.

Samatha Williams’s Tearoom in the Gatehouse is brimming with vintage charm and elegant accents. Working with Jacqueline Black and Michelle Porreca, Williams brought in a Chinoiserie wall covering to give the space a garden-like atmosphere. They also installed a grass cloth ceiling treatment and sisal rug to add texture. Maria Videla-Juniel, who designed the primary bathroom of the main house, also devised a welcoming entry to the Gate House.

Typically, when starting out with bluebird landlording, you’re not going to begin with this typeof nest box. Part of the reason for that is that they’re harder to find commercially. However, if you have a good baffle system and are regularly monitoring your nest box, this may not be an issue.

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