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Bluebirds are some of the most beautiful birds to attract into a backyard, and they produce amazingly beautiful music. Fortunately, regardless of where you live, you’ll likely be able to attract bluebirds. The three species each inhabit different, overlapping ranges.
1 Cut all the pieces for the birdhouse from a single cedar board (see the cutting diagram page 156).
Note: Although most 1x boards are a uniform ¾" thick, it’s wise to dry fit and adjust pieces individually to accommodate any variations in thickness.
2 Trace a wing on a 3 3½" wing blank (see diagram on page 156). Cut the wing shape out using a jigsaw or coping saw [fig. A]. Sand the cut edges, and then use the cut wing as a template to outline the second wing. Cut out the second wing as you did the first, and sand the edges.
3 Drill ¼" drainage holes in a cross pattern on the floor. Bevel one end of the front and back to 14°. Orient the bevel so that the rough faces will be inside the birdhouse. Cut a 14° angle in one end of each side [fig. B].
4 Measure and mark 6½" up from the bottom of the front wall, centering the mark side to side. Clamp the front to a work surface on top of a piece of scrap wood. Drill a 1½" hole centered on the mark using a Forstner bit [fig. C].
5 Clamp the floor to a work surface. Position one wall side along one edge of the floor and check that it is flush. Drill pilot holes and glue and screw the side to the floor with 2" deck screws. Drill pilot holes and glue and screw the front to the floor and to the front edge of the side wall.
6 Position the back so that the top of the back is exactly ¼" higher than the side. Check that the roof sits flat across the edge bevels of the front and back and leave a ¼ " gap along the side for ventilation. When you’re satisfied that the back is properly positioned, drill pilot holes and glue and nail it to the side and floor [fig. D].
7 Dry fit the second side wall between the front and back, exactly ¼" below the tops of the back and front. Check that it moves somewhat freely between the two (if necessary, sand down the edges). Measure and mark pilot holes exactly 9" up from the bottom of the side wall on either edge. Transfer the marks to the front and back. Drill pilot holes through the front and back into the edges of the side wall. Drive brads into the holes. Check that the side wall hinges open properly [fig. E].
8 Drill a hole 1" up from the bottom, through the front or rear face and into the edge of the hinged side. Slide a dowel or small screw into the hole to lock the side closed.
9 Paint the wings gloss white and the roof light blue. Place putty over all the screw heads in the body as desired and sand smooth. Finish the birdhouse body with a clear, no-VOC finish, if desired. Position the roof and drill pilot holes down into the tops of the front and back. Glue and screw the roof in place.
10 Measure and mark horizontal and vertical centerlines on both side walls using a grease pencil or other permanent marker. Center a wing on one sidewall and mark the edges with key marks corresponding to the centerlines [fig. F]. Transfer the key marks to the edges of the second wing.
11 Align one wing and drill two pilot holes along its midline. Nail the wing to the side wall with brads. Repeat with the second wing. Use a nailset to sink the brads. Touch up the paint over the nail heads.
12 Fasten the birdhouse to a tree, post, fence, or other structure with screws driven through the back tongue that extends below the birdhouse. The house should be 4 to 8" off the ground.
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