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How to Build the Perfect Bluebird House

While perfect is in the eye of the beholder, in this case the bluebirds, the house developed by the North American Bluebird Society is as perfect a home for the bluebird as we understand it. The bluebird house is elegant in its simple construction and design and has worked as a nesting home since the Society's founding in 1978.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 foot 1 inch by 6 inch cedar
  • 9 1/2 by 10 1/2 inch 1 inch thick cedar
  • Power saw
  • Power drill
  • 1 3/4 inch galvanized nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a 4 foot 1 inch by 6 inch cedar board into five pieces needed for the bluebird house. Cut a piece 4 inches long for the floor. The sides are cut by making a diagonal cut to create a side that is 9 1/4 inches on one side and 10 1/4 inches on the other. Make a square cut 10 1/4 inches from the end of the high side to create the second side. Cut the front piece at 9 3/8 inches long. Set the blade of the saw to an 80 degree angle to make this cross cut. The remainder of the original board is used as a back for the bluebird house.

    • 2

      Cut a roof, also of rough cut cedar, to 9 1/2 inches by 10 1/2 inches. Round out 1/2 inch holes from the corners of the floor piece. This allows drainage from inside the bluebird house.

    • 3

      Drill the hole for the entrance to the bluebird house. Use a hole saw to create a 1 1/2 inch diameter hole about 5 1/2 inches from the bottom of the front piece. The angle cut end of the front piece is the top of the front with the angle sloping towards the front of the bluebird house.

    • 4

      Position one side piece flush with the top of the back and attach with three 1 3/4 inch galvanized screws. Attach the floor to the back and to the attached side with two 1 3/4 inch galvanized screws through each piece. Attach the front flush to the top of the side piece with three wood screws into the side and two into the floor. Put the other side in place and attach with a single screw near the top from the back and the front. This allows the side to pivot for cleaning. Use a single screw through the side into the floor to hold the side in place.

    • 5

      Attach the roof to the top of the sides and front with two 1 3/4 inch galvanized screws into each piece. Center the roof so the overhang is equal over each side and extends over the front of the bluebird house.


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