How to Build a Nesting Box for Bluebirds

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This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

I also have free plans for a wren nesting box and a chickadee nesting box.

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Bluebirds 101

There are 3 species of North American bluebirds: Eastern, Western, and Mountain.

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  • All three types of bluebirds migrate north for breeding season, which is when we get to enjoy them here in Canada.
  • Diets vary based on location and all consist mainly of insects plus some fruits and berries.
  • There have been various initiatives over the past 50 years to protect and grow bluebird populations that were in decline due to loss of habitat. Our inclination to remove dead trees and clear forests removes vital living quarters for countless insects, birds, and animals including these beautiful birds.

Choosing a Nesting Box Site

  • Bluebirds prefer a nesting site away from other birds competing for the same food sources, including other bluebirds.
  • Optimal nesting sites include wide, open country backyards near forests or wooded areas.
  • Chickadees and titmice are not competing for the same food and may nest in a bluebird nesting box if the location suits them. You can set up two boxes, up to twenty feet apart, to allow bluebirds in one and other, non-competing birds, in the other.

Also consider adding bee, bat, or owl boxes if you have a larger property.

Recommended Book

This excerpt from Audubon Birdhouse Book: Building, Placing, and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds is used with permission from Quarto Publishing Group USA who also provided a review copy of this book.

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Xbox Bluebird Nest Box

Designed by Dan Sparks and the X-Men

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

Dan Sparks and other members of the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) designed this updated bluebird nesting box. The aim was to make it attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators.

This was named the Xbox simply because it came from the design marked X. It has proven to be beneficial, providing safe, dry housing for countless, happy bluebirds.

MATERIALS

Lumber: cypress (used here), white cedar, hemlock, or local weather-resistant wood with low toxicity.

  • One 1 x 10 x 11″ (roof)
  • Four 1 x 6 x 10″ (front, sides, and back)
  • Two 1 x 6 x 4″ (floor and inner roof)
  • One 2 x 2 x 9″ (pole-mounting block)
  • Exterior screws: twelve 1 5/8″ (basic construction); two to six 1 1/4” (roof to inner roof); and two 2″ (pole mounting block to back)
  • Caulk or sealant (sealing between top and inner roof)
  • One 2 1/2″ galvanized nail (bent, latch nail)
  • Mounting: One 1/2″ x 5′ galvanized metal conduit, one 1/2″ x 4-5′ steel rebar (for stake), and one conduit coupler (you can see how this works in the photo below)

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. Hole saws (you can see them here on Amazon) were used for the Xbox entrance and ventilation holes, as well as the mounting block. A table saw with its blade lowered was used for the drip kerfs on the underside of the roof and for the ladder kerfs on the inside of the front.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. The back piece of the Xbox is attached to the inner roof. Two deck screws (15/8”) are installed with an impact driver.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. Test-fit the attached back, unattached sides, and inner roof. Use a pencil to mark the placement of the recessed floor. Drive in screws.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. Top of sides are attached to the inner roof above the entry hole.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. Pivot screws, driven into the front piece from the bottom of both sides, allow the front to open easily for checking and cleaning.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. One galvanized nail (21/2”) is bent to create the latch nail. Drill the latch nail hole slightly downward.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. The mounting block for the Gilbertson pole system is installed on the back of the Xbox with two exterior deck screws (2”). Note the predrilled ¼” hole on the mounting block.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. Apply a bead (line) of all-purse low VOC caulk to the tip of the inner roof prior to installing the exterior roof.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

  1. The Gilberton pole system is easy to assemble. Drive rebar into the ground, leaving two feet above ground. Attach conduit coupler to the end of the conduit. Tighten upper, shorter screw against the coupler. Slip coupler over rebar. Tighten lower, longer screw against the rebar. Clean pole with steel wool and coat it with furniture polish. Add baffle if needed.

This bluebird nesting box is designed to be attractive to bluebirds, simple in design and construction, easy to monitor, and resistant to inclement weather and predators. Birdhouses are not one-size-fits-all so always choose a nesting box plan that is intended for the species you wish to attract.

The Xbox is place onto the Gilbertson conduit/rebar pole, ready to become home for bluebirds and others.

Audubon Birdhouse Book with plans for making a variety of nesting boxes for birds including bluebirds.

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The Audubon Birdhouse Book includes plans for building and locating nesting boxes for:

  • Berwick’s, Carolina, or House Wren
  • Prothonotary Warbler
  • Eastern, Western, or Mountain Bluebird
  • Ash-throated or Great Crested Flycatcher
  • Tree Swallow or Violet-green Swallow
  • Juniper, Oak, Black-Crested, or Tufted Titmouse
  • Barred Owl
  • Eastern or Western Screech Owl
  • Barn Owl
  • Northern Flicker
  • American Kestrel
  • Black-capped, Carolina, or Mountain Chickadee
  • Wood Duck
  • Hooded Merganser
  • Purple Martin
  • Mourning Dove
  • Barn Swallow
  • American Robin
  • House Finch
  • Eastern or Say’s Phoebe

Now go play outside!

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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