Building a bluebird house is a fun and easy DIY project! These beautiful birds are symbols of happiness and joy, and they can be easily attracted to your backyard with the right house.
We’ve put together a list of 18 DIY bluebird house plans that will help you get started.
Most of these plans include detailed instructions and materials lists, so you can be sure you’re building the perfect house for your backyard birds.
One important note: make sure to place your bluebird house in an open area where it will get plenty of suns. Birds prefer to live near trees, so they may leave if your house is too close to a forest.
Here are some of our favorite DIY bluebird houses:
Table of Contents
The Traditional American Style
This DIY bluebird house is designed to look like a traditional American farmhouse. The front porch and peaked roof are perfect for attracting these beautiful birds.
Materials:
- one piece of plywood, 24 “x48.”
- one piece of trim molding, 24″ long
- wood glue
- clamps
- one box of roofing nails
- drill
- saw
- paint or stain
Here are some ideas for keeping your bird entertained: DIY Bird Toys.
The Log Cabin Young Birds
These are made out of a log cabin and are an excellent option if you want something that will last. The instructions can be found here:
The following materials are needed to build the Log Cabin Bluebird House:
- one piece of 18 “x24” exterior plywood
- one quart flat black enamel paint
- one quart light straw color paint
- latex caulk
- 18″ galvanized roofing nails
- wire brush
- Titebond III wood glue
- hammer
The instructions are as follows:
- Cut the plywood to size and then use a wire brush to remove any dirt, dust, or debris from the surface
- Paint the plywood with two coats of exterior paint – allow to dry thoroughly between coats
- Apply a liberal amount of caulk around all the joints on the front and back of the house
- Use roofing nails to attach the roof to the body of the house
- Glue and staple the door in place
- Cut a small piece of plywood to fit on top of the front opening and then glue it in place.
- Paint or stain all exterior surfaces (make sure to use a sealant if you are using a stain)
Tip: this is a perfect addition if you already have hoop house.
The Purple Martin Bluebird House
This is designed for purple martins and is made of cedar, pine, or redwood. The instructions can be found here.
The following materials are needed to build the Purple Martin Bluebird House:
- one piece of ¾” plywood measuring at least 18 “x24.”
- one piece of ½” plywood measuring at least 12 “x18.”
- six #12 x ¾ screws
- one can of wood sealant or paint
The Cape Cod Bluebird House Plan
This DIY bluebird house plan is named after the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, where these birds are common. The design features a sloped roof and a small landing platform.
Materials:
- one piece of plywood, 24 “x32.”
- one quart of exterior paint or primer in a light color
- four-deck screws, #12 x ½”
- one cedar shingle, ⅛” thick x ¾” wide x 12″ long
Tools:
- saw to cut plywood to size
- drill with Phillips head bit
- hammer or screwdriver to drive screws into wood
The Western Bluebird House Plans
The Western Bluebird House Plans are simple and easy to build. The materials required for this project include a piece of plywood, a drill, some screws, wire mesh, and a saw. The instructions are as follows:
- Cut the plywood into two parts – one that is 12 “x18” and one that is 12 “x12”.
- Drill four evenly spaced holes in the larger piece of plywood. These will be used to attach the wire mesh later on.
- Saw the small piece of plywood in half, so you have two pieces that are each 12 “x12”.
- Attach the wire mesh to the large piece of plywood using the drilled holes. Make sure it is securely attached.
- Drill a hole in the upper left corner of the small piece of plywood. This will be used for the bluebird to enter and exit.
- Screw the small piece of plywood to the large piece so that the hole is on the top.
- The house is now ready to be mounted on a post or tree.
The Eastern Bluebird House
The birdhouse plans that we are featuring today are for the Eastern Bluebird. This bird is known for its beautiful blue feathers and markings on its chest. They can be found in most North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico.
The house is made out of cedar, which will keep the wood looking good for many years. The roof is also made out of cedar and has shingles that give it a nice look. The dimensions of this birdhouse are 11 inches wide by 14 inches high by six inches deep.
The Deluxe Bluebird House
This DIY bluebird house plan is called the Deluxe Bluebird House. It’s a bit more complicated than some other plans, but it also offers many features that will make your bluebirds happy. The dimensions of this house are 12 inches wide by 18 inches long by 16 inches high. Here are the materials you’ll need to build it:
- One 12 inches by 18-inch piece of exterior grade plywood
- One quart of primer
- Two quarts of paint, in a light color such as sky blue or robin’s egg blue
- One tube of construction adhesive
- Ten No. six standard household screws, ½ inch long
- Eight No. eight standard household screws, ¾ inch long
- One can of black roofing tar
- One piece of hardware cloth, 24 inches wide by 36 inches long
The Easy Bluebird House Plan
This DIY bluebird house plan is perfect if you’re a beginner carpenter. It’s easy to follow and doesn’t require fancy tools or materials.
The Materials List:
- One piece of untreated wood, at least 24″ x 18″
- Hammer and nails
- Drill with a ½” bit
- Jigsaw
- Sandpaper (100 grit)
The Steps
- Cut the wood to size using a jigsaw. The dimensions don’t need to be precise, but make sure the opening for the bluebirds is at least five inches wide and six inches high.
- Drill a ½” hole in the front of the house for the bluebirds to enter and exit.
- Sand all the edges of the wood until they are smooth.
- Nail the house together using a hammer and nails. Make sure it is sturdy before you hang it up.
The Bluebird Condo
This DIY bluebird house plan is designed to be mounted on a pole in your yard. It features two compartments, one for the adults and one for the chicks. The roof hinges open so you can easily access the nest box.
If you’re looking for an easy way to attract bluebirds to your yard, consider building a . Bluebirds prefer to in boxes rather than in trees, so putting up a is a great way to encourage them to stay.
Tip: You can help by planting houses in your yard. Mountain bluebirds are easy to identify because of their long tail feathers.
The Classic Bluebird House
This plan is a simple design that will attract these beautiful birds to your yard. It’s made from cedar and has a copper roof to keep the rain out.
The Rustic Bluebird House
This DIY bluebird house is designed to look rustic and antique, perfect for those who want a more natural look in their backyard. The roof is made from cedar shingles, and the sides are treated with a wood sealant. This will help keep the moisture out and make it last longer. The front of the house has a small landing area where the bluebirds can perch while they eat. There is also a small door for them to enter and exit.
The Recycled DIY Bluebird House Plans
The Recycled Bluebird House is an excellent bluebird house plan for an environmentally friendly option.
This bluebird house is made out of a recycled milk jug.
The
The has four big windows. This allows the doorway to be extremely close to the occupant and is a really cool design.
The PVC Bluebird House
This is a DIY bluebird house plan that is simple and easy to follow. All you need is a PVC pipe, some screws, wire hanger, drill, and saw.
The materials you will need are:
- One 12″ length of ½ inch outside diameter clear vinyl tubing. (PVC pipe can be used as a substitute)
- One wire hanger
- Two ¼ inch screws
- One drill with a ½ inch bit
- One saw (either hand or power)
The steps are:
- Cut the tubing into two pieces, each measuring six inches in length.
- Drill a hole in the center of one end of each piece of tubing. The hole should be large enough for the wire hanger to fit through.
- Cut the wire hanger into two pieces, measuring four inches in length.
- Bend one end of each wire hanger around a pencil to create a curl.
- Insert the wire hangers into the holes in the tubing. The curled end of the hanger should be on the inside of the tubing.
- Secure each wire hanger to the tubing with a screw.
- Use a drill to make several small holes in the top and bottom of the tubing.
- Insert the screws in the holes you just drilled, making sure that the screws go through both the tubing and the wire hanger. This will help keep the wires in place.
The Modified American Bluebird House Plan
The American Bluebird House Plan is a popular DIY bluebird house plan. This plan features a sloping roof and an entrance hole protected by a predator guard. It is designed for those who want to modify the original design.
One modification you can make to this plan is adding a perch near the entrance hole. This will give the bluebirds a place to rest while getting used to their new home.
Another modification that you can make is to increase the size of the entrance hole. This will allow larger birds to enter the house, such as robins and catbirds. Also, be sure to increase the size of the predator guard to keep these larger birds safe.
The Bluebird Tower
The Bluebird Tower is one of the DIY bluebird house plans that is simple to build and looks great in your yard. This tower-style bluebird house will attract both male and female bluebirds and accommodate up to four birds. The Bluebird Tower also has an easy-to-access clean-out door for periodic nest checks.
If you are looking for a birdhouse plan that will attract bluebirds, the one shown above is perfect. It provides plenty of room for the birds to nest and has an easy-to-follow construction plan.
Tips on Building Your First
Building your first is a fun and rewarding project that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Here are a few things you need to know:
Select the right location
Bluebirds prefer open areas with short vegetation, so avoid placing your near trees or dense shrubbery.
Make sure the is the right size.
The should be 1½ inches in diameter for Eastern bluebirds and Western bluebirds, and
Material
or houses are basically boxes of material that make it easier for bluebirds to find a place to when they cannot build their nests in cavities but need more protection from than natural materials – like sticks, twigs and branches provide.
A can be created throughout an area in an effort not only for the bluebirds but also for other species, including raptors, birds of prey such as hawks and owls which normally pose a threat to baby bluebirds.
They also help to repel pesky such as raccoons, racoons and foxes, which can occasionally dig under the in search of baby birds or snakes, which may pose a threat to adults.
Final Thought
When building your own , be sure to select a location near other houses or areas, as they like to live in colonies. You can also help increase the chances of attracting bluebirds by putting up a feeder nearby.