How to Build a Bluebird House From a Single Cedar Board

Layout the components

Layout your components on the 1×6 board. If you are using cedar, you may have a smooth and rough side. Face the rough side out on the exterior of the bluebird house.

• Use a tape measure and speed square to lay out each piece as in the drawing below. To account for the saw blade kerf, leave a 1/8-in. gap between each piece.
• For the sides (B), mark both edges of the board at 10-3/4-in. and connect them with a straight line. From one corner, measure 9-3/4-in. and connect it to the opposite 10-3/4-in. mark to create the roof slope. Mirror this for the second side.
• Label every piece to ensure accuracy during assembly.

Cut out the pieces

At the miter saw:

• Cutout each piece on the straight lines before any angled cuts.
• Set the miter saw angle to 10 degrees for the sloped tops of the side pieces (B).
• On the floor (E), cut off 1/2-in. x 1/2-in. triangles from each corner for drainage and ventilation. Use a long scrap board as a sub fence for better support. Set the saw to 45 degrees for these corner cuts.

Drill the entrance hole

Grab your front piece and head over to the drill press.

• On the front piece, find center along the top 5-1/2-in. edge. Measure 2 in. down from that center point on the front face. This marks the center of the entrance hole.
• Using a 1-1/2-in. Forstner bit, line up the point to your mark and drill completely through the front (A) into a sacrificial scrap under it to ensure the hole doesn’t blow out.

Make the angled cuts

Use your table saw or miter saw to cut 10-degree bevels at the top edges of the front (A) and back (C) pieces so they align with the roof pitch. And, at the back edge of the roof (D), so it aligns with the back (C) when assembled. To ensure consistency with a rough exterior and smooth interior, be aware of the position of the rough side of the cedar relative to these bevels.

Assemble the birdhouse

Remember to assemble the birdhouse with the cedar rough side out and the smooth side in. Dry-fit all pieces with clamps first to ensure they are flush.

• Stand the back (C) with the beveled edge up. Place the left side piece (B) on the inside of the back piece. Flush the edges and clamp. The slope of the right side (B) and the bevel of the back (C) piece should be aligned.
• Use a nail gun with exterior-rated 1-1/4-in. 18-gauge Brad nails and nail the back (C) to the side (B).
• Place the front (A) so the left side is sandwiched between the front and back. Ensure the bevel on top of the front piece is sloped the same direction as the back and side piece. Clamp and nail together.
• Insert the floor (E), recessing it 1/4-in. off the bottom edge of the front (A), back (C), and left side (B) to keep it dry. Clamp and nail through the front, back, and left side.

Make the hinged door

• Insert the right-side piece (B). Make a mark 1-1/2-in. down from the top edge of the front (A), and 3/8-in. in over towards the entry hole for placement of the pivot screw.
• Use a speed square to transfer the mark from the front (A) to the back (C), ensuring the pivot screws are aligned. Mark this location 3/8-inch in from the back (C) edge to match the mark on the front(A).
• Predrill and insert two 2-in. deck screws. Don’t over-tighten, as they act as the pivot point.
• Finish the assembly by aligning the roof (D) with the beveled back edge flush with the back piece. The roof (D) will lay in the direction of the slope. Nail it to the front (A) and back (C). The 1/4-in. gap between the roof and the sides helps with ventilation.
• Attach a panel clip to the lower back edge of the back (C) on the right side of the birdhouse to keep the door closed. Pre-drill the hole before securing it with a 1/2-inch screw to avoid splitting the wood.

 Attach a mounting bracket

• Turn your bird house upside down on its head.
• Center the mounting bracket on the bottom of the floor (E). Mark and pre-drill four shallow holes, then secure the bracket with 3/4-in. screws
• When all is done, install it on a T-stake outside and watch the birds fly in.

For added protection, you can add a baffle to the T-stake to prevent predators from getting close to the birdhouse. If you don’t like the look of a T-post, you can mount it on a pole or a wooden post as well.

FAQ

Where do you put bluebird houses?

You want to place bluebird houses in sunny, open areas with large expanses of grass. Set them on a birdhouse post four to six feet high to make it harder for predators from entering. Avoid placing them in shaded areas and too close to feeders.

What direction should a bluebird house face?

Ideally, you would want to face the birdhouse east, southeast facing away from the prevailing winds and rain from entering through the entrance hole. Facing it east, southeast helps warm up the nest as the sun rises and shades it from the afternoon heat.

How to keep sparrows out of a bluebird house?

To keep sparrows out, regularly monitor the birdhouse. If you notice sparrows entering and leaving, they may be making a nest inside. If that is the case, remove the nesting materials to push them away. You can also remove the birdhouse or plug it up until sparrows lose interest.

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