Build Your Free Bluebird House Construction Guide

Understanding Bluebird Biology and Habitat Needs

Bluebirds are small songbirds belonging to the thrush family, and three species live in North America: Eastern Bluebirds, Western Bluebirds, and Mountain Bluebirds. These birds are cavity nesters, meaning they naturally seek out hollow spaces in trees to build their nests and raise their young. Understanding their basic biology helps you create housing that matches their actual needs in nature.

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Eastern Bluebirds typically measure 7 to 8.5 inches long and weigh less than one ounce. Males display striking blue plumage on their backs and wings, while females show a more muted blue-gray coloring. Both sexes have the distinctive rust-colored breast that makes bluebirds instantly recognizable. Western and Mountain Bluebirds share similar size and nesting requirements, though their coloring differs slightly depending on subspecies and geography.

The breeding season for bluebirds runs from March through July in most regions, though timing varies by location. A single pair may raise two or even three broods in one season, with each brood containing 3 to 6 eggs. Eggs incubate for about 12 to 14 days, and nestlings remain in the house for 15 to 20 days before fledging. After leaving the nest, young birds depend on their parents for food for another two to three weeks.

Bluebirds hunt insects from low perches, catching grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and spiders mid-air or plucking them from the ground. They require open or semi-open spaces with short grass or bare ground, which is why bluebirds thrive near meadows, orchards, golf courses, and park areas. Dense forests and heavily wooded areas don't provide the hunting habitat bluebirds need.

Practical Takeaway: Before building a bluebird house, observe your property to determine if it offers the open space and insect-rich environment bluebirds require. Properties with large lawns, nearby meadows, or sparse tree coverage typically attract bluebirds. Dense woodlands rarely attract nesting bluebirds, though migrating birds may pass through.

Selecting the Right Materials and Tools

Building a bluebird house requires only basic materials and tools. The most important material is wood, and the type you choose affects the house's durability and the birds' comfort. Cedar and pine are the best choices because they resist weather without requiring chemical treatment. Never use pressure-treated wood, which contains arsenic or copper compounds that can harm birds. Plywood is acceptable but less durable than solid boards. Avoid wood that has been stained or painted, as the fumes and chemicals can be toxic to developing nestlings.

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The standard dimensions for an Eastern Bluebird house call for a 1.5-inch entrance hole, interior floor space of 5 by 5 inches, and a total height of 8 to 12 inches from the floor to the roof. Western and Mountain Bluebirds use slightly larger houses with 1.625-inch entrance holes. You'll need lumber boards approximately 1 inch thick and 6 to 8 inches wide. Most bluebird houses can be built from a single board measuring 6 inches wide and 8 feet long, which provides enough material with minimal waste.

Basic tools required for construction include a saw (hand saw or power saw), drill with bits, hammer or screwdriver and screws, measuring tape, pencil, and sandpaper. A square helps ensure corners are truly perpendicular. Many builders prefer galvanized or stainless steel screws over nails because screws hold better and won't rust. Exterior-grade wood screws rated for outdoor use last longer than standard fasteners.

Additional materials include hinges for a cleanout door (which simplifies nest removal after fledging), small wooden pegs or branches for perches if desired, and roofing material. Metal flashing or aluminum can serve as a roof overhang, or you can create a peaked roof from additional wooden boards. Drain holes in the floor are essential—typically four corner holes measuring 0.25 to 0.375 inches—to prevent water accumulation during heavy rain.

Practical Takeaway: Before purchasing materials, decide whether you want to build a simple box style or a house with amenities like a hinged cleanout panel. Simple designs minimize waste and construction time, while houses with cleaning access require more precision but are easier to maintain between seasons. Start with a simple design if this is your first bluebird house.

Step-by-Step Construction Instructions

Begin by cutting your lumber to the proper lengths. For an Eastern Bluebird house, cut two side pieces measuring 8 inches, the front and back pieces measuring 7.5 inches, the floor measuring 5 by 5 inches, and roof pieces to your preferred dimensions. Sand all pieces lightly to remove rough edges and splinters that could catch feathers or skin. Sand the interior more thoroughly, but leave the exterior slightly rough so birds have better footing when climbing.

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Drill the entrance hole in the front panel before assembly. Measure 2 inches from the top of the front piece and drill a 1.5-inch hole for Eastern Bluebirds. Use a spade bit or hole saw for clean, round holes. Drill four drain holes in the corners of the floor piece, each measuring approximately 0.375 inches. These drainage holes prevent standing water that could harbor parasites or cause mold.

Assemble the house by attaching the sides to the back panel first, creating a U-shaped structure. Position the floor inside this frame, slightly recessed from the bottom edges. The floor should be supported by cleats or ledges cut into the interior sides, or you can install small blocks at each corner. Attach the front panel last, which creates a box-like structure. Leave the roof pieces to attach last so you can work inside the house more easily.

Add the roof in a peaked or sloped configuration. A simple design uses two pieces that meet at an angle, with an overhang of at least 1 inch in front to shed rain away from the entrance hole. The roof peak can be sealed with a ridge piece or left with a slight gap for ventilation. Many builders include a hinged panel on one side for cleaning access. This panel typically covers the upper portion of a side wall and opens to allow removal of old nesting material after fledging.

Final construction steps include adding small drainage and ventilation holes. In addition to floor drain holes, drill two or three ventilation holes near the top of each side panel, approximately 0.25 to 0.375 inches in diameter. Ventilation prevents moisture buildup inside the house during humid conditions. Some builders add a small wooden peg or stick below the entrance hole as a perch, though bluebirds don't require this and it can provide access for predators, so it's optional.

Practical Takeaway: Complete your house assembly in a logical order: floor and walls first, then roof, then any access panels or perches. Ensure all joints are snug and screws are secure before considering the house complete. Take time to sand rough interior surfaces—birds will appreciate smooth wood that won't snag their feathers.

Placement and Installation Strategies

Where you place your bluebird house matters as much as how you build it. Bluebirds prefer houses mounted 5 to 15 feet high, with 5 to 6 feet being an effective starting height for monitoring and maintenance. The house should face away from prevailing winds and be positioned to receive morning sun and afternoon shade in warm climates. East or southeast-facing entrances work well in most regions because they catch morning sunlight while avoiding the intense afternoon heat.

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Placement should take advantage of your property's natural landscape. Position the house overlooking open areas where bluebirds can hunt for insects. Houses placed near the edge of open ground and scattered shrubs or small trees work better than houses in thick woods or open fields with no tree cover nearby. The birds need nearby perching spots to survey their feeding territory. Trees or shrubs within 10 to 20 feet of the house provide ideal perches.

Install the house on a sturdy mounting system that resists predators and weather. Metal poles work better than wooden posts because snakes and other climbing predators have difficulty scaling smooth metal. If using wooden posts, consider a predator guard