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Build a bluebird household with this free tutorial . This Audubon invention constitute the nesting loge easy to build , maintain , and marauder - insubordinate .
I also have free plans for awren nuzzle boxand achickadee nesting box .
Credit: Audubon Birdhouse Book
Bluebirds & Nesting Sites
Every species of bird has its own unique needs for a suitable nesting site . By read bluebirds and their native home ground , we can considerably understand what the birds need for nesting and how to provide it .
Birdhouses Versus Nesting Boxes : What ’s estimable For Birdsshares what to look for when selecting a nesting box .
Contents
About Bluebirds
This selection fromAudubon Birdhouse Bookis used with license fromQuarto Publishing Group USAwho also provided a review written matter of this Quran .
There are 3 metal money of North American bluebird : easterly , westerly , and Mountain .
See theFrequently Asked Questionssection for more tips .
Bluebird Nesting Box Plans
Dan Sparks and other members of the North American Bluebird Society ( NABS ) designed this update bluebird nesting box . The aim was to make it attractive to bluebird , simple in figure and building , easygoing to monitor , and tolerant to inclement conditions and marauder .
This was named the Xbox just because it amount from the figure marked X. It has prove to be good , put up safe , ironic housing for multitudinous , felicitous fairy bluebird .
The design is worthy for Eastern , Western , and Mountain fairy bluebird .
Materials
Lumber : cypress ( used here ) , white cedar , hemlock , or local weather - resistant Ellen Price Wood with down toxicity .
Exterior screws : twelve 1 5/8″ ( basic structure ) ; two to six 1 1/4 ” ( ceiling to inside ceiling ) ; and two 2″ ( perch mount block to back )
Caulkor sealer ( sealing between top and inner roof )
One 2 1/2″galvanized nail(bent , door latch nail )
mount : One 1/2″ x 5′galvanized alloy conduit , one 1/2″ x 4 - 5′steel rebar(for post ) , and oneconduit coupler(you’re able to see how this works in the picture below )
Plans
Assembly Tips
Hole saws(you may see them here on Amazon ) were used for the Xbox entrance and ventilating system pickle , as well as the mounting block . Atable sawwith its blade lower was used for the drip kerfs on the underside of the roof and for the ladder kerfs on the interior of the front .
The back bit of the Xbox is attached to the inner ceiling . Two deck of cards screws ( 15/8 ” ) are instal with animpact driver .
Test - fit the attached back , free-swimming side , and privileged roof . Use a pencil to mark the placement of the adjourn floor . push back in screws .
Top of sides are attached to the inside roof above the entry gob .
Pivot screw , driven into the front piece from the bottom of both sides , allow the front to open up easily for checking and cleaning .
One galvanized nail ( 21/2 ” ) is bent to make the door latch nail . practise the door latch nail hole slightly downward .
The mounting block for the Gilbertson pole system is establish on the back of the Xbox with two exterior deck screw ( 2 ” ) . mention the predrilled ¼ ” pickle on the mounting block .
Apply a bead ( demarcation ) of all - purselow VOC caulkto the tip of the privileged cap prior to installing the exterior roof .
Mounting Poles
The Gilberton pole system is sluttish to foregather . Drive rebar into the ground , leave two ft above ground . Attach to the end of the conduit . Tighten upper , shorter jailor against the coupler . solecism coupler over rebar . fasten lower , longer screw against the rebar . fair pole with steel wool and surface it with furniture culture . Add baffle board if needed .
The Xbox is place onto the Gilbertson conduit / rebar pole , quick to become home for bluebirds and others .
Frequently Asked Questions
Advice varies but these answer come from the most late research I could find .
Bluebirds tend to nest at the edge of forest or other wooded area as well as in open nation backyard . They prefer to nest aside from humans , pets , as well as other birds that are compete for the same food resources .
Yes , some bluebirds nest in the wintertime calendar month . Eastern bluebird may cuddle as ahead of time as February and bear on until other spill , raising two to three broods each year .
Yes , bluebirds will reuse their nests . If you have provided a nesting loge , be sure to clean it out exhaustively between broods , when the juveniles have flight , to forestall the spread of disease .
A bluebird nesting boxful should be made from born , untreated Grant Wood and not paint or stained . Bluebirds will recognise a well - design nesting box by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe , dimensions , sizing of the entry hole , and localisation , not the color . non-white wood may retain too much heat for the baby to come through .
The first appearance kettle of fish to a bluebird nesting box should be 1 9/16 - inch ( first selection ) or 1 1/2 - in in diameter .
perch are not necessary on bluebird nesting box and are considered unsafe because they assist predators enter the nest inside . A clear escape track to the boxwood will allow the bluebirds to go to and from without any need for a perch .
Bluebirds like their nesting boxes in open , cheery areas with a clear flying path . Face the entry kettle of fish where it will get full sun . Avoid areas that get ghost if potential .
Bluebird snuggle boxes should be spaced at least 125 cubic yard aside . Bluebirds do not like contention for their food sources which means they naturally keep distance between nests . When placed nearer together , the boxes made be used by non - competing coinage including chickadee and titmice but they will not be occupied by more than one mating duet of bluebird .
There are a few reason why bluebird may not use a nesting box . Are they normally find oneself in your area ? If not , a box is not going to draw them . If they do live on locally , is your nest box specifically design for bluebird ? Every bird species needs a box seat plan specifically for their unique motive . The boxwood should be securely mounted on a magnetic pole , at least 5 to 10 - feet off the earth , in an loose , sunny surface area by from your house , people , or pet with a clear flight path to and from the box . The surround garden should be pesticide - loose and provide plenitude of food ( insects , fruits , berries ) to confirm the bluebirds and their young . If all these things are in place , it can still take several nesting season for birdie to eventually utilise an uncommitted nesting loge . Building combine use up sentence . House hedge sparrow may also browbeat fairy bluebird and disturb their nests .
Resources
Get the Book
The Audubon Birdhouse Bookincludes plan for build and locating nest boxes for :
Find out which metal money are present in your sphere and build one a home .
Here is some footage from my backyard bird camera :
Just like us , doll need food , water , and shelter .
TIP :
Netvue Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder With Camera| To view the hoot activity in your garden 24/7 , an automated television camera is an first-class option .
Also consider addingbee , bat , or owl boxesif you have a large property . atomic number 76 nesting shelf for robins .
~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛
