It is a good idea to place bluebird houses near the garden so the birds can. Bluebirds prefer large lawns with short grasses because they feed primarily on insects found on the ground. How to build an inexpensive eastern bluebird house. Eastern bluebird state of tennessee, wildlife resources. Nest failure rates ranged from a low of 8% in 2004 to a high of 24% in 2005.
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. A bluebird trail is a series of bluebird boxes placed along a prescribed route. This birdhouse will accommodate all three bluebirds. Bluebird house plans free pdf download construct101. Although bluebirds were able to bounce back from this major loss, they then had to compete with introduced species from europe such as the english or house sparrow and the european starling. Eastern bluebird overview, all about birds, cornell lab of. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. This is a quick howto video on building an eastern bluebird house. Construction plan by downloading this nest box plan you will be subscribed to the cornell lab of ornithology and nestwatch enewsletters. The eastern bluebird is a small thrush with a plump body and short, straight bill. 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. Ideally, the nest boxs opening should face toward trees or shrubs within 100 feet so young bluebirds have a place of safety for their first flight. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young.
The eastern bluebird university of maryland extension. Bluebird house department of agriculture plans and instructions natural resources conservation service davis, ca 95616 pastures, fields, open birds. All you need is a 6 foot dog ear fence picket, 121. All the design plans and nest box photos are provided with the kind permission of fred stille sr. The bluebird is an edge species it lives in areas where prairie is intermingled with trees or forests. Position the nest box so that the entrance hole is facing east and towards open habitat. Not only is bluebird house placement necessary in attracting these birds. Blue bird house plans free bluebird house plans with video instruction large shrub a single bluebird house can be created from one 1 x 6 x 5 2 x x. House plans one board bluebird peterson houses for.
The eastern bluebird is known by several other names. We have studied many types of bird houses and have combined the best qualities of each into our houses. 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. Bluebird house placement for bird safety is paramount. Building and providing nest boxes for song birds can be very. Eastern bluebird birdhouse 70birds birdhouse plans index. Fence posts are an option, but raccoons tend to traverse fences, so it is not the safest option. Free bluebird house plans multiple designs bird house. Bluebird nestbox front opening, bottom pivot designed by dick peterson drawn by. Building bluebird nest boxes is a great way to help conserve birds at the local level. Mar 22, 2020 do not place your bluebird nest box in or near any area where is widespread use of insecticides or herbicides. To decrease competition from tree swallows, you can pair nest boxes about 1520 apart, with pairs of houses about 300 from each other. See range maps and more information on each bluebird species page. Bluebird birdhouse plans complete stepbystep instructions.
You can also download a printable pdf of the instructions here. Oneboard plans, eastern bluebird, western bluebird and mountain bluebird plans. The nabs nestbox committee discontinued the nestbox approval process in february of 2012 with the acknowledgement that nestboxes of different designs may work in one geographical area but perhaps not in another. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in and out, and waves his wings while perched above it. How to build a bluebird house with pictures wikihow. The male has a bright blue back, reddish chest and white belly. Bluebird house plans free pdf download bluebird house. The male eastern bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female.
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. This one board bluebird nest box is easy to construct and erect. This bird house plan can be built from a single 6 piece of 1x6 cedar fence board. Materials one 1x6, at least 52 long 1015 exteriorgrade screws. Apr 26, 2019 others put up a second box nearby only when a non bluebird species has claimed a nest box first. Try to place boxes at least 100 feet away from woods or thick brush. Sideopening mountain bluebird nestbox pdf carl little bluebird box pdf gilwood nestbox pdf hanging nestbox pdf purvis lifter for hanging nestboxes pdf how to make a simple nestbox retriever pdf texas blues tb1 nestbox pdf xbox bluebird nestbox pdf troyer slot box pdf nest box predator guards pdf mounting a nestbox on a. Natures way bird products cwh3 cedar bluebird box house. Use the slot entrance box if you have problems with starlings or house sparrows nesting in the box.
The entrance size is the most critical dimension for a safe, effective bluebird house. Eastern bluebird nest box state of tennessee, wildlife. Furniture, toys, frames, beds, animal houses, racks, dressers, chairs, coasters, and many. Its nice to locate the nesting box where it can be observed from a house window so you can enjoy the daytoday activities of the bluebirds. Nestlings remain in the nest 1721 days before they fledge. If you have more than one bluebird house, then space houses 100 yards apart and have a screen of shrubs or trees between if possible.
This bluebird bird house is constructed of all natural western red cedar. This is the most widespread of the three bluebirds. Eastern bluebird bluebird house plans, bluebird house. Even though bluebird populations have decreased, their future can still be promising. Apr 18, 2015 this is a quick howto video on building an eastern bluebird house. They should be on a metal or wooden post with at least one predator guard to keep creatures from climbing up to the nest. This small thrush is a year round resident and can often be seen.
Pdf plans birdhouse plans for bluebirds download grinder jig. If house sparrows are a problem, consider drilling a second entrance hole. Become a member or donate pdf about us we are dedicated to the conservation of the eastern bluebird and other native cavity nesting species. Bluebird houses should be mounted at a height of from 5 location to 7 feet, measured from the ground to the floor of the selecting a suitable location for the bluebird house is of house.
Use these free bluebird house plans, dimensions, and tips to attract nesting. Eastern bluebird house plans free new info for bluebird nest boxes bluebird house plans, bird. Consider putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair. Mar, 2018 if placed along a road or highway, the bluebird house should open parallel to, or away from the road so the birds will not be hit entering or leaving their nests. Upperparts are bright blue in the male, grayblue in the female.
Each pdf downloadable design has complete dimensions and a material list. Bluebird houses should be mounted 4 to 6 feet above the ground. Fact sheet about the eastern bluebird produced by the connecticut depwildlife division. This small thrush is a year round resident and can often be seen hunting along roadsides from a fence or low perch. Diy birdhouse for bluebirds backyard projects birds and. 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. Eastern bluebirds uk college of agriculture university of kentucky. With these introductions there was increased competition for cavity nesting sites, which further decreased bluebird. Nest boxes help maintain bluebird populations that have declined by as much as 90%. Mount bluebird houses closer in clearings of wooded areas.
Bluebird house after davis groups wishing to have a program on the bluebird house project can contact the research and extension wildlife office, room 128, call hall, kansas state university, manhattan, kansas 665061600. You can provide sanctuary for bluebirds by erecting a bluebird house. These substances will destroy bluebirds food supply and can be fatal for the birds as well. Bluebird house plans, plans include a free pdf download, material list, drawings, and instructions. Us fish and wildlife service, eastern bluebird eastern bluebirds sialia sialis live in virginia 12 months a year. Unfortunately, bluebirds rarely nest in cities, large towns, or closein suburban areas. You will receive a confirmation email with a link to complete subscription. The eastern bluebird, also known as sialia sialis, is a member of the thrush family.
Bluebirds are territorial, and build nests in cavities to protect their young. Wildlife habitat management institute eastern bluebird. The eastern bluebird is perhaps one of the better known songbirds in oklahoma. Bluebirds usually lay 4 or 5 light blue eggs, but may lay as many as 6 or 7. Mount nesting boxes by midmarch, with the base of the box about 4 to 5 feet above the ground. A rule of thumb for eastern bluebirds is that eggs will hatch 17 days after the first egg is laid. Easternwestern bluebird nestbox revised 12020 pdf docx. Removing unwanted species such as starlings and house sparrows will increase your chances for nesting success. Side side view outer 21 g 34 both of these edges are to 112. Free printable bluebird house plans house design ideas.
We are a member of several state and national organizations with this effort in mind. Eastern bluebird bluebird house plans, bluebird house, bird. In areas where the eastern bluebird range overlaps that of the mountain bluebird, use the larger nest box for mountain bluebirds and western bluebirds. Bluebird house plans, pdf download, includes drawings, measurements, and material list. Ironically, the cutting of eastern forests, especially pine woods, for agriculture in the nineteenth century may have actually benefited eastern bluebirds by creating additional foraging and nesting habitat. Clean out old nests as soon as a brood fledges so that the nest box can be used for a second nest attempt. A high percentage of eastern bluebirds in north america today nest in birdhouses put up especially for them along bluebird trails. The female makes the nest by loosely weaving together grasses and pine needles, then lining it with fine grasses and occasionally horse hair. The birds bright blue color and melodious song make it a welcome visitor to backyards. Although it is mostly eastern in our area, its total range extends south to nicaragua.
Free plans for building a bluebird house the spruce. The eastern bluebird was chosen for twras watchable wildlife license plate because it is a common tennessee bird that people have benefitted by putting up bluebird boxes. Below we have included free bluebird house plans, a simple oneboard box thats relatively easy to build. Our bluebird houses are constructed by volunteer craftsmen at our factory in warrenton, north carolina. How to build an inexpensive eastern bluebird house youtube. The best pvc eastern bluebird house plans free download pdf and video.
Chart 2 compares eastern bluebird and tree swallow nesting success for the same eight year period. Find out more about nest boxes on all about birdhouses, where youll find plans for building a nest box of the appropriate size for eastern bluebird. When they are not nesting, these birds roam the countryside in small flocks. Eastern bluebird state of tennessee, wildlife resources agency. Bluebird nesting box plan pdf woodcrafting for wildlife the north american bluebird society the bluebird society of pennsylvania bsp bluebird basics. Bluebird information you can use sports dansvillegenesee country express.
In the natural world, all three species of north american bluebirdsthe eastern. The typical incubation period for bluebird eggs is 1214 days. Not only is bluebird house placement necessary in attracting these birds it is essential to protect baby bluebirds from predators. 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. To help eliminate competition from tree swallows, locate two. Worlds best bluebird houses eastern bluebird rescue. Eastern bluebirds depend upon artificial nest boxes to reproduce in virginia source.
Bluebirds are some of the most desirable cavitynesting backyard birds, but they need a safe, attractive place to nest. 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. Others put up a second box nearby only when a nonbluebird species has claimed a nest box first. 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. 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. 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. Weather is a significant factor in the variation of nesting success from year to year.