Blue Bird House Plans

Help the blue bird make a comeback with these blue bird house plans. These simple and fun plans will give much needed nesting places back to the bluebird.

When people started using chemicals to kill unwanted "weeds" and foliage it was a serious threat to the bluebirds food supply. The blue bird population began a serious decline.

Now, with the strict regulations that come with chemical use, and everyone concerned with cleaning up the environment, the blue bird is making a comeback.

The blue bird house plans outlined below are of a basic bird house that will serve a variety of birds. Feel free to use the plans for yourself or as a group project. (See restrictions below.)

This basic design makes a great starter or group woodworking project. These blue bird house plans can be cut from a single board and can be built with a few basic hand tools. As you'll see later there are several features designed into this project to make a better home for the birds.

You'll find the basic blue bird house plans in several places online. We added some features and included them here so we could explain some of the steps a little better for beginning woodworkers and to insure the plans would always be available free.

When building birdhouses from these blue bird house plans I like to use recycled wood that has a weathered look. You can paint the exterior if you want but I like to leave the wood unpainted to blend in with the surroundings. If you decide to paint, never paint the inside of the bird house.

I'm never concerned with the type of wood to use as long as it's real wood and not plywood or particleboard. All real wood will last several years before needing replaced.

The instructions for the blue bird house plans below are geared toward the beginning woodworker. I tried to make them usable for everyone, especially for group functions and younger students that want to get started in woodworking.

Bluebird House Plans

The image to the right is what the completed bird house should look like. Some of the features that you'll build in to your project:

1. The right side swings up for cleaning and nest inspections. It's also cut short at the top for better ventilation.
2. The bottom board has clipped corners for drainage.
3. The back board extends up for easier mounting.
4. The distance from the hole to the floor protects the fledglings from predators. It also protects them from falling out of the nest.
5. It can be cut from one 5-1/2"x 60" board or from short pieces of scrap.

Note: When cutting out the pieces leave them slightly longer than the finished dimensions. Cut the angles on all the pieces first and then cut the other end to the finished dimension.

• Part A - Back Panel ( 3/4" x 5-1/2"x 12" ) _ Cut to finished dimensions then drill a 1/8" hole through the right side 3/8" in from the edge and 8" up. This is the back pivot hole to allow the right side panel to pivot for cleaning.


• Part B - Left Side Panel ( 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 10" ) - Mark the panel 9" long on the front edge and 10" long on the back edge. This angle should be 10 degrees. Cut the angle front to back using the 9" length as the critical length.


• Part C - Right Side Panel ( 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 9-3/4" ) - Using the same angle, cut the right side panel 1/4" shorter than the left panel. This is for ventilation and to allow the side to swing out for cleaning.


• Part D - Bottom Panel ( 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 4" ) - Clip the 4 corners to allow for any necessary drainage.


• Part E - Front Panel ( 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 4" ) - Cut a 10 degrees angle along the top edge facing out. This angle is for a better fit when installing the Top Panel.


• Mark the center of the entrance hole 7" above the bottom and drill 1-1/2" hole.


• Drill a 1/8" hole 1" above the bottom and 3/8" from the edge of the right side. This is the latch hole. You can slide a nail or screw in this hole to keep the right side panel closed.


• Drill another 1/8" hole 8" up from the bottom and 3/8" from the edge, again on the right side. This is the front pivot hole. You can use nails or screws in the pivot holes as long as it allows the side to pivot open.


• Part F - Top Panel ( 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 10" ) - Cut a 10 degree angle along the back edge of the Top Panel for a better fit to the back panel.

You can use nails or screws according to your own preference. Just make sure when you're done that the right side will pivot out for cleaning. (If you glue the parts together don't forget to leave the glue off of the right side panel.) Use enough nails or screws to make the box solid.

Hang your bird house 6 to 8 feet off the ground in a fairly open area. Face the entrance away from the direction that most of the rain and wind comes from. I like to hang them facing east to catch the morning sun.