Spring is just around the corner. With its arrival, bluebirds will be returning north from their winter migration to the southeastern U.S. and Mexico. If you’re lucky, they’ll pay a visit to your yard.
While bluebirds likely won’t be dining at your bird feeder (they prefer insects and berries), one way to coax them to visit is to add berry-producing native plants and a source of water such as a birdbath to your garden. If you’d like them to set up residence, consider adding a bluebird house.
You can always buy a ready-made bluebird house, but one that’s homemade can be a fun family project. Keep in mind that not just any birdhouse will do. You’ll want your bluebird house to not only attract bluebirds but to keep them safe as well.
Starting with the basics, a bluebird house should be made of a suitable wood. Pine works well. Cedar and redwood are also options. Wood should be 3/4-inch to one-inch thick.
Be sure not to use treated lumber or plywood, and no paint or stain should be used anywhere on the interior surfaces (the nest box) or around the opening. The exterior can be left unfinished or can be decorated (except around the opening) with latex paint or nontoxic wood sealer.
The entry hole should be 1.5 inches in diameter. A larger hole can allow predators and unwanted species of birds access to the nest box. Too small a hole will prevent bluebirds from entering.
No perch is necessary. Bluebirds will have no problem entering the birdhouse through the proper sized hole without the aid of a perch to land on. Including a perch may actually make it easier for predators to access the nest box.
In addition, be sure your bluebird house includes a hinged or removable panel on the roof or side to allow access for monitoring and end-of-season cleaning. Other useful features include a small opening for ventilation under the roof’s overhang and drainage holes in the bottom.
Detailed instructions for making a bluebird house can be found on the website of the National Audubon Society at https://go.uvm.edu/bluebirdbox. If you’re short on time or would rather not purchase lumber and cut the pieces yourself, kits with precut parts ready to assemble are available for purchase at many local retailers.
Once you’ve finished building a bluebird house, the next step is to find a suitable location. Mounting the bluebird house on a pole is preferable to hanging it in a tree. The pole adds extra security from predators and will give you a far better chance of attracting bluebirds to it.
Mount the birdhouse on a pole or pipe that will stand about six feet above the ground. Position it in an open area such as a lawn or a field. The front of the birdhouse should face south or east.
In addition, to help avoid rain and wind entering the nesting area, angle the entry away from the direction of prevailing winds. Adding a squirrel baffle or similar guard to the pole will help protect against climbing pests and predators such as raccoons and snakes.
Your personal Project Bluebird doesn’t have to end once the bluebird house is finished and installed. Monitoring the house can be an enjoyable and educational ongoing activity for the entire family.
For more information, check out the North American Bluebird Society website at https://www.nabluebirdsociety.org where you’ll find a wealth of information on everything bluebird.
by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, UVM
Featured photo: Bluebird house kits with precut parts ready to assemble are available for purchase at many retailers. Photo by Deborah J. Benoit
