A 1 12 entrance hole is the correct diameter for the eastern bluebird and western bluebird, 1 916 diameter for. If youre lucky enough to have these brightly colored bluebirds in your neighborhood, building a bluebird specific birdhouse is a great way to encourage them to make your yard a permanent home. Then, use a spade bit or hole saw to make an entrance hole in the front piece. Blue bird house plans free birdhouse plans for bluebirds and 70 other bird species however free bluebird house plans with video instruction and take battles what others are saying fact sheet about the eastern bluebird produced by the connecticut deep wildlife division. All the design plans and nest box photos are provided with the kind permission of fred stille sr. This bird house plan can be built from a single 6 piece of 1x6 cedar fence board. Bluebird houses should be mounted at the height of 57 feet, measured from the ground to the floor of the house mount nesting boxes by midmarch.
A wellbuilt and wellplaced bluebird nest box in your own backyard or nearby. Below are links to downloadable pdf files of plans for building several types of nestboxes. House plans one board bluebird peterson houses for. Free plans for building a bluebird house the spruce. These two types of bluebirds have larger clutch sizes than eastern bluebirds and prefer floor dimensions of 512 inches per side vs. Bluebird populations suffered and declined in the 1960s but rebounded with help from concerned birdwatchers. Try to place boxes at least 100 feet away from woods or thick brush.
Peterson bluebird house reprinted with permission from carrol henderson, woodworking for wildlife 01992 minnesota department of natural resources 90 3 3 10 14 nail point. This is important because the young birdies have a better chance to reach this on their fist flight and hopefully have a better chance of surviving the first critical hours out of the nest. The latter makes it a little easier to enter and is best for the slightly larger bluebird species out west also, make sure the hole is smooth without burrs and. Nest boxes help maintain bluebird populations that have declined by as much as 90%. How to build a nest box for the eastern bluebird keywords. We are a member of several state and national organizations with this effort in mind.
Do not allow house sparrows to nest see webpage for details roof 11 wide x 9 deep entrance hole diameter. When paired, boxes should be mounted 5 to 15 feet apart. Clean out old nests as soon as a brood fledges so that the nest box can be used for a second nest attempt. Eastern bluebird house plans in 2020 nesting boxes, bird. Woodworking eastern bluebird bird house plans pdf free download tooth decay nesters bl. Bluebirds are some of the most desirable cavitynesting backyard birds, but they need a safe, attractive place to nest.
Eastern bluebird house plans and robin bird houses plans free awesome glamorous robin house plans. Within a protected wooded area, both bluebird parents feed the fledglings after they leave the nest and while the young are practicing their flying skills. Marvelous birds to capture in your binoculars, male eastern bluebirds are a brilliant royal blue on the back and head, and warm redbrown on the. Bluebird house plans free pdf download construct101.
If the beveled corners on the bottom are omitted, drill four 14inch holes for drainage. Eastern bluebird overview, all about birds, cornell lab of. Eastern bluebird house plans free new info for bluebird nest boxes. Even though bluebird populations have decreased, their future can still be promising. The entrance size is the most critical dimension for a safe, effective bluebird house. The most important step we can take to help bring back the bluebird is to provide nesting sites by setting out a bluebird nestbox or starting a bluebird trail. Next, drill ventilation holes in each of the side pieces and the bottom piece. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in and out, and waves his wings while perched above it. Bluebird house plans, plans include a free pdf download, material list, drawings, and instructions free plans at construct101. Dec 16, 2016 birdhouse plans for bluebirds woodworking plans blueprints download. This is the most widespread of the three bluebirds.
Free bluebird house plans multiple designs bird watching bliss. Bluebird house plans free pdf download bluebird house. Side side view outer 21 g 34 both of these edges are to 112. Jun 29, 2012 with a few tools and materials, you can make a home for bluebirds in your backyard. To help eliminate competition from tree swallows, locate two. Eastern western bluebird nestbox revised 12020 pdf dandr nestbox pdf gilbertson nestbox pdf peterson nestbox pdf sideopening mountain bluebird nestbox pdf carl little bluebird box pdf gilwood nestbox pdf.
You can use any type of wood, but it should be 34inch thick and unpaintedunfinished. The female makes the nest by loosely weaving together grasses and pine needles, then lining it with fine grasses and occasionally horse hair. Bluebirds lay 4 to 6 eggs which are plain light bluish. Eastern bluebird nest box state of tennessee, wildlife. Bluebird house department of agriculture plans and instructions natural resources conservation service davis, ca 95616 pastures, fields, open birds. Eastern bluebird bluebird house plans, bluebird house. Blue bird house plans lawns one board plans these instructions walk you through the steps of building a bluebird house from a bluebird house plans a single bluebird house bluebird fact sheet abstract.
Western bluebirds 100 yards apart 200300 yards may be better eastern bluebirds 100 yards minimum 125 to 150 yards apart may be better mountain bluebirds 200 to 300 yards apart nestboxes can be mounted in pairs in areas where tree swallows are abundant. If house sparrows are a problem, consider drilling a second entrance hole beside the first one so that there are two separate but identical holes on the front panel to enable bluebirds to better defend boxes from sparrows. Free printable bluebird house plans house design ideas. These free bluebird house plans can help any birder build just the right size, shape, and style of the house to appeal to bluebirds and attract nesting bluebird pairs. How to build a oneboard bluebird house t o help bluebird reproduction, as well as that of other cavitynesting songbirds, erect nesting boxes in areas where other habitat requirements are met.
Below we have included free bluebird house plans, a simple oneboard box thats relatively easy to build. Handout pdf that includes plans for a nabs, peterson and gilberston box eastern bluebird nestbox builder fred stilles site with plans for many wood and pvc boxes that appeal to bluebirds really useful website on with plans and recommended habitat, height and spacing. Bluebird birdhouse plans complete stepbystep instructions. Pdf file for a basic bluebird house, with additional tips for constructing, mounting, and properly maintaining the house. This bluebird bird house is constructed of all natural western red cedar. Building bluebird nest boxes is a great way to help conserve birds at the local level.
A high percentage of eastern bluebirds in north america today nest in birdhouses put up especially for them along bluebird trails. Bluebird house plans, pdf download, includes drawings, measurements, and material list. You can also download a printable pdf of the instructions here. Proponents of the peterson box feel that this hole shape allows the adults to feed the young and remove the. When they are not nesting, these birds roam the countryside in small flocks. How to build a peterson slantfront style bluebird house. Bluebird house plans, plans include a free pdf download, material list, drawings, and instructions. A bluebird trail is a series of bluebird boxes placed along a prescribed route. Many bird enthusiasts put up bluebird houses specifically designed just for the bluebird. This entrance is made by overlapping two 1 38 circular holes for a 2 14 tall opening.
Eastern bluebirds have long been the displaced darlings of pennsylvanias spring, as well as the poster bird for what can go wrong when people introduce nonnative species to a new area. Wylie construction the top may be mounted on a hinge, or a 12inch dowel may be substituted for the holddown strip for the roof. If possible, always provide a large overhanging roof that provides a lot of shelter on the front and sides of the box. How to build a bluebird house with pictures wikihow. Apr 6, 2019 bluebird house plans, plans include a free pdf download, material list, drawings, and instructions free plans at construct101. In winter, several bluebirds will often roost together in a bluebird house for warmth. This one board bluebird nest box is easy to construct and erect. The correct size of hole helps deter predators while making it easier for the nestlings to exit when they mature. Lauder, who spent 38 years analyzing bluebird boxes, created the design for this bluebird box. Although it is mostly eastern in our area, its total range extends south to nicaragua. White pine is a good choice because it is easy to obtain. The eastern bluebird, also known as sialia sialis, is a member of the thrush family. The male eastern bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female. These bluebird birdhouse plans are designed for bluebirds, but other small birds, like titmice, wrens, and chickadees, might find this bird house a suitable place to build a nest.
Free bluebird house plans multiple designs bird house. The f30 bluebird nestbox has a large floor space, totaling 30. Numbers pool atomic number 49 the late 1950s and ahead of time 1960s. Chapter 8 the basic robin, phoebe and barn swallow house plan this is an open sided birdhouse plan for these species chapter 9 the basic owl house plan this birdhouse plan is excellent for the barred owl and screech owl as well as the american kestrel chapter 10 the basic wood duck house this rather large house can be. Easternwestern bluebird nestbox revised 12020 pdf docx. The male may continue to assist fledglings while the female begins building a second nest a week or so after the first brood has fledged.
Fact sheet about the eastern bluebird produced by the connecticut depwildlife division. How to build your birdhouses wintu audubon society. Inspired by this surge of interest, in 1979 peterson partnered with the national audubon societys minneapolis chapter and formed the bluebird recovery program bbrp of. Most of the country drives during an eastern north american summer will turn up a few eastern bluebirds sitting on telephone wires or perched atop a nest box, calling out in a short, wavering voice or abruptly dropping to the ground after an insect. More than 20 free birdhouse plans, including bluebird houses and designs for other native cavitynesting birds. Mar 22, 2020 face the bluebird house to an open area with a tree, large shrub or fence from 25 to 100 feet in front of the house. The diameter of the entrance hole can be either 1 12 or 1 916. Bluebird nesting box plan pdf woodcrafting for wildlife the north american bluebird society the bluebird society of pennsylvania bsp bluebird basics.
This period may last up to a few weeks after the young learn to fly. Around 100 years ago, bluebird populations most notably eastern bluebirds started declining. Apr 26, 2019 in the late 1970s, peterson received an outpouring of letters and requests for nest box plans following a widely read minneapolis star tribunearticle on his bluebird work. Position the nest box so that the entrance hole is facing east and towards open habitat.
Mar 08, 2015 trance hole should be eastern bluebird bird house plans 1 1f2 inches. Also, make sure you have all of your supplies ready to go when you begin to build your house in the eastern bluebird style. Stepbystep instructions for building a home that mountain, eastern, and western. Bluebirds prefer large lawns with short grasses because they feed primarily on insects found on the ground.
Pdf compressor free version texas bluebird society. Revisedthe peterson box new york state bluebird society. Each pdf downloadable design has complete dimensions and a material list. Eastern bluebirds can have up to three broods per season. Materials one 1x6, at least 52 long 1015 exteriorgrade screws. Eastern bluebird nest box construction plan author. To decrease competition from tree swallows, you can pair nest boxes about 1520 apart, with pairs of houses about 300 from each other.
The birds bright blue color and melodious song make it a welcome visitor to backyards. While most bluebird boxes have a 1 12 circular opening, the peterson box features an oval entrance. There are three species of bluebirds in north america. Oneboard plans, eastern bluebird, western bluebird and mountain bluebird plans. Note that the front edges of the sides are lsinch shorter than the nest box front. Build eastern bluebird bird house plans diy pdf wood bench. Chapter 6 the alternate bluebird, flycatcher, titmouse and nuthatch plans this is a great alternative style birdhouse i really like chapter 7 the alternative wren house plan this is an alternative plan to the basic plan for smaller birds like the wren and they love it. Some people might say that the eastern bluebird, new yorks official state bird, is the first sign of spring because as soon as the sap runs, bluebirds come back to nest. Carolina chickadees, house wrens, tufted titmice, tree sparrows, house sparrows and whitebreasted nuthatches are some species that will readily use boxes erected for eastern bluebirds.
Eastern bluebird sialia sialis april 1999 fish and wildlife habitat management leaflet number 2 general information the eastern bluebird is a favorite migratory songbird of birders and nonbirders alike. Feb 9, 2016 free bluebird house plans with video instruction. Eastern bluebird house plana nest box program for tooth decay nesting songbirds. Wildlife habitat management institute eastern bluebird. Entrance hole should embody eastern bluebird bird house plans ace 1f2 inches. To build a bluebird house, start by cutting a 1inch thick piece of wood into 6 pieces so you have 2 sides, 1 front and 1 bottom piece, 1 back piece, and 1 piece for the roof. It is larger than a sparrow but smaller than a blue jay and can be found everywhere from canada to the gulf states and east. Use these free bluebird house plans, dimensions, and tips to attract nesting bluebirds to your yard. Bluebird nestbox front opening, bottom pivot designed by dick peterson drawn by. Become a member or donate pdf about us we are dedicated to the conservation of the eastern bluebird and other native cavity nesting species.
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