House sparrows were originally introduced to New York in 1851 from the UK, and today they are one of the USA’s most common songbirds. Tree or Violet-Green Swallow House Plans Step 2: Make an Entrance. If you are in North America, this likely means. We also include a link to the Free plans that will give you all the dimensions and angles needed. Each birdhouse is a simple four-sided box with an angled top. Wren House Placement. turning holes. As you can imagine, there are thousands on other plans for birdhouses available online. This bluebird house will give you lots of enjoyment by. 5-inch wide hole, placed 6 inches above the base of the board (use a compass and pencil to draw the hole first). 12 Month Prepaid Bird Watching. Check your bluebird boxes at least once or twice a week during the. Simple bluebird house plans, includes a free PDF download (link at bottom of blog post), measurements, and illustrations. Opt for a classic bird house. Blue bird house's cedar also can keep out weather-related damage ; SAFE HOME FOR FLEDGLINGS: SISTERBIRD birdhouse kit predator guard around the entrance hole can help young birds against predators. For eastern bluebirds mount this house 3′ to 6′ high in woodland clearings, tree grove edges bordering fields, among scattered trees, or pasture fence lines. Birdhouse Plans for 70 North American Bird Species. All About Birdhouses Homepage; Tips on Nest Box Placement;Bluebirds are attracted by the location and height of their bluebird house. The size of the entry hole and the interior room can make a huge difference in the type of bird your house will attract. Straw is a poor choice. Prevent Heat Stress. 5″ hole 4″ off the floor. Use a spade bit, hole saw, or adjustable size hole bit with your drill to create the hole. Set up a “sparrow-spooker” on active bluebird houses. 5" from hole to recessed floor. How to Build a Bluebird House. Upperparts are bright blue in the male, gray-blue in the female. 56 inches for mountain bluebirds) Entrance height: 6 inches to 10 inches above the house floor. Good ventilation and built-in drainage. Cut wood into 2 pieces, both about 10 inches long. 3) Mark’s Bird House With Hole Guard. Drain Feature on the Bottom: Drainage in the bird house keeps moisture and water from settling. The 10 DIY Bluebird House Plans. However, whatever you do avoid using dark colors. 5”x4. All you need is a 6 foot dog ear fence picket, 12-1 ¼ inch deck screws, a 3/32 inch dril. 4-5, sometimes 3-7. com) Designed by Fred Stille. Plans to Build a Classic Blue Bird House (12) $ 1. Step-by-Step Bluebird House Plans and Instructions: Step 1 Using the full width of a 4-foot 1-inch x 6-inch rough cedar board, cut the pieces as pictured in the board layout below. 6 Ways to Attract Bluebirds: #1. MOUNTING AND PREDATOR DETERRENCEto keep nestbox contents safe from the typical predators found in your areaBluebird: Neat, cup shaped, woven nest of 100% fine grass or pine needles. Here are bluebird nest box plans (pdf) that are fairly simple, you make all your cuts out of one 1"x6"x4' board. Wipe away any excess glue. 99 Get it as soon as Monday, Nov 27Bluebird House. Using a quick square measure to find where the front of the wooden round will sit and mark with a pencil. Starlings and house sparrows build messy nests using many different materials. The female eastern bluebird has a brown chest and neck with subtly blue wing feathers. As basic as a miter box and saw, all the way to a chop saw and table saw if you have them. Ventilation Design: Ventilation built-in to keep nesting box from overheating. Step 2. Keep the birdhouse 100ft from the feeder. Build this birdhouse. Bluebirds raise two or three families of three to sixBlack oil sunflower seeds are a great overall choice that many birdhouse residents will appreciate, or birders can provide specialized foods to attract certain birds, such as suet for woodpeckers or mealworms for bluebirds. General description: A blue and rusty songbird found throughout Minnesota. Baffles placed above and below the house can help deter predators such as raccoons, rats, and snakes, and the birdhouse itself should be designed to be safe. Western & Mountain Bluebird House Plans. About 4–5% of bluebirds lay white eggs. Bluebird houses should be in rural areas or on the fringe of the suburbs. after editing the design in Inkscape or the vector software of your choice, export it as PDF , then Import the PDF into Vcarve pro ( in case you were using Shopbot CNC. Kit includes 2-pieces of our heavy-duty 16-Guage wall, 1: diametere black steel tubing. Bluebirds lay 2 to 7 pale blue eggs in a tidy, cup-shaped nest of woven grass. . The roof peaks are cut at a 30-degree angle (I used a power miter saw). Secure hinged roof with shutter hooks for easy access. Avoid colors that are too dark or too bright for safety reasons. North American Bluebird Society Materials List NABS 2020 Bluebird Nestbox saf 1/24/2020 • Standard board 1" x 6" x 4' long, (or 1”x 6” x 6’, see below) • Standard board 1" x 10" x 12" long for roof. Personally, I am using cedar. Robins, Phoebes, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves & More. 15) Free American Robin and Eastern Phoebe Bird House Plans. A clamp is not necessary but can be helpful for keeping edges straight during assembly. The General Store - this birdhouse gets its name because it has the look of the storefront of an old country general store. Install all boxes by February. Find more diy bird houses plans or discover more bird houses and bird feeders. Deluxe Recycled Bluebird House- NABS Approved $97. Attach this home to a post in moments with its two predrilled holes on the back and included screws. Find more bird houses plans or discover more ideas on. 99. Now that you’re aware of those dimensions, most birdhouse plans are easy to adapt for bluebirds. Back = 15" H x 6-1/2" W. The House Sparrows Box. These birds like a high perch and like to have an abundance of egg shells at. Please do not put up a bluebird nestbox if you do not plan to monitor it. 87 ($14. Oceek Cedar Blue Bird Box House Wood Bird House Bluebird Box House Cedar Wren and Chickadee Wren Home Outdoor Hanging Wood Birdhouse No Assembly Required Hummingbird House (1Pack 3115 Assembled) $14. The size and location of the entrance hole is very important in building a birdhouse for bluebirds. 5″ entrance hole is the optimum diameter for bluebirds and tree swallows. Call 1-800-234-3368. This kit contains all of the pieces you need to build a complete bluebird house. Black forehead and some black around the neck joining some black on the back. Ready To Mount; Specifications. 3. Bluebird With iridescent blue upperparts. 21) Andy’s Flicker House Plan. This bird feeder can be mounted to a wood pole, fence, or tree. 00. While the North American Bluebird Society has certified the nest box design, the Gilwood Bluebird Nest Box has been used primarily in the Midwest and. Step 4: Assemble Sides, Back and Bottom. Create a Green Roof Birdhouse. Description2. Make a 4″ by 4″ floor (inside dimensions). Category: PDF Download Tags: bird house plans, birdhouse, buebird house. Larry’s House Finch Birdhouse Plans. Bluebird house plans, PDF download, includes drawings, measurements, and material list. Outhouse Birdhouse. 6) DANDR Nestbox Plan. 1. They have a black, thick, stout bill,. Predator guards provide. Build a Bluebird Box. Dimensions: 7. Hammer and drill for pre-drilling holes or an air powered nailer (16-18 gauge is all you need). 6. To cut out the piece that will be the front of the birdhouse, you want to start by measuring 9 1/2", then cut that piece out. Without further ado, let’s jump into the full explanation for which colors to choose for bluebird houses, and which ones to avoid. Step-by-Step Bluebird House Plans and Instructions: Step 1 Using the full width of a 4-foot 1-inch x 6-inch rough cedar board, cut the pieces as pictured in the board layout below. com. Featuring an easy-open front panel, it slides down for checking the progress of nesting birds without disturbing. Unusual Birdhouse Plan. Air vents allow for proper air ventilation through wall and floor openings to promote bird health. Using seven pieces of cut cedarwood, this house can be put together and placed outside within the span of a few hours. When Birds Use Birdhouses . When you assemble the sides, leave 1/4" at the top for ventilation. Use wire cutters to trim out the rectangle. This will tell you where to run the bead of glue. 10 approx I' 1 3/4" ENO BOARD VIEW Top Pivot screws 11/2" wood Insen screw "front" and "side" ot to door screws Recess bottom 114" Title: Eastern bluebird Nest Box construction plan Author: NYS DEC Subject: How to build a nest box for the Eastern bluebirdHouse Wren Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Bird drawings by Jim Glover Tree Swallow What is a Bluebird? The Eastern bluebird is a sparrow-sized cousin of the robin. 4) Nestbox Plans. Pictures From These Plans Build Video Bird House and Feeder | Overview Bird House and Feeder | Material List Shopping List 2 – fence picket – 5/8 in. House Sparrows are a non-native, nuisance species that will kill adult and. Bluebird Birdhouse Plans. He promoted bluebird conservation through hundreds of talks and articles in many. While bluebirds have been spotted in cities, they rarely nest there. Here is a 3D model tutorial showing you exactly how to. Entrance diameter – 2 inches. Build a Pitched Roof Bluebird House. create Profile toolpaths using the toolpath operations menu. Entrance: 1. A 5″ drop (distance from the bottom of the entry hole to the floor) Entry hole and floor for all species of bluebird. “Dummy nests” without1 1/8" round. It sound like a lecture kind of statement. If you want actual plans and dimensions, there are a lot available online, search for bluebird bird house plans. Measure up from the bottom 6” and 2” in from the side. Purple martin bird houses can be very heavy, mount and secure properly. Once the center hole is drilled, change to the smaller 3/4" bit. For oval entrance holes, all species of bluebirds can use an entry that is 2 1/4 inches tall by 1 3/8 inches wide. Attach the 1 1/2-inch hole saw bit or 1 1/2-inch spade bit to your drill. 1. This tower-style bluebird house will attract both male and female bluebirds and accommodate up to four birds. 19) Andy’s Free Bird House Plans. If you are looking to purchase a pre-made bluebird house, check out the nest boxes I recommend on my Recommended Tools page ( click here ). You can place the nest box from these wren house plans 5-10 feet above the ground, under the eaves of a building or a tree limb. #4. This Bluebird House can be made in an afternoon with simple hand. base and a 1-1/2 in. This design is based on a 100-year-old martin house I rescued from an abandoned farmstead. This traditional shaped wren birdhouse plan is great for those DIY’ers who are just getting into woodwork. Oceek Cedar Blue Bird Box House Wood Bird House Bluebird Box House Cedar Wren and Chickadee Wren Home Outdoor Hanging Wood Birdhouse No Assembly Required Hummingbird House (1Pack 3115 Assembled) 4. The Bird Plan can be used as a tool to inform management at a local or statewide scale, individually or, ideally, to identify common goals and objectives that multiple conservation partners and the public can focus on together. Initial studies suggested the Gilwood box marked an improvement over other nest-box designs. Step 2: Drill the Inside Hole, the "living Room". especially starlings and house sparrows. you have all the pieces. General bluebird nest box dimensions should be: at least 9”x4. I used all-natural western red cedar for my bird habitat. $82. Eliminate Garden Pests By Building A Bluebird House. TB-1A is 1x6, 1x8 and 1x10 lumber with largest floor area (32 square inches), for species that need more space. Rustic Bluebird Manor 2 Colors $94. Screw through the roof (E) (F) and into the sides (A). 16) Free American Kestrel Nest Box Plans. is a registered non-profit (501. A Bluebird house’s hole size should be: 1. 2. Hi Bluebirder! Below are the 2020 bluebird trail results for Lafayette County. Clean out old nests as soon as a brood fledges so that the nest box can be used for a second nest attempt. This unusual, wedge-shaped box is smaller than most bluebird boxes. I came down 2 inches from the top center of the front board. Bluebird boxes are often pole mounted. Backyard Glory. Drill a 1 1/2″ diameter entrance hole located 7″ above the floor (to. House Sparrows. 00. NOTE: Western Bluebirds will routinely add ribbons, cellophane, feathers, thin bark and leaves to their nest. . My apologies, but All Things Bluebirds is adamant about this one. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Install birdhouses in the right places. Gtongoko 80 Inch Bird House Pole Kit, Heavy Duty Adjustable Bird Feeder Pole for Outdoors with 5 Prongs Base, Universal Mounting Kit for Bird House and Bird Feeder, Black $29. After you build your birdhouses, ensure you don't let the squirrels and woodpeckers damage all your hard work. 56 inches for mountain bluebirds) Floor space: 5 x 5 inches or larger. Audubon’s Birds and Climate Report spells bad news for both the Western Bluebird —projected to lose the majority of its winter range by 2080—and the Mountain Bluebird —projected to experience. Drill ventilation holes in the sides. House Opening: 1 ½” and 1 9/16” diameter entrance holes. Although. Bluebird house plans . Add to Cart. Readers can pick a plan and follow the measurements to build a birdhouse. DIY Gourd Birdhouses from Happiness is Homemade. Make those cuts (first cut should be on a 15-degree angle, the rest will be straight cuts). Cedar is probably the most affordable weather-resistant wood. Red Church Bird House Plan : This plan will build you a bright red church for your birds. Print these plans out on legal-size paper (8. . 5:33 – Where to find Bluebird house plans 6:00 – Birdhouse materials 6:36 – When to put up birdhouses 6:51 – Re-use old birdhouses? 7:15 – Put out food for Bluebirds. If the entrance is too large, bigger and more aggressive birds such as starlings can drive away the smaller, timid bluebirds. This is my favorite plan for a bluebird nest box. How to build a Bluebird house. Build the eastern bluebird birdhouse with red cedar, pine, or almost any soft wood. . Place the boxes 200 to 300 feet apart to account for the territorial nature of most species. Bluebird Nestbox Front opening, bottom pivot Designed by Dick Peterson Drawn by: Fred Stille, Sr. Measure out four holes about 1” apart. First,. This birdhouse for bluebirds help them defend their nest better. Instructions: How to Deter House Sparrows from Your Bluebird Nest Box with Monofilament Fishing Line. 3 – Use a 2×4 to fold the hardware cloth into a box. The common house sparrow can be invasive and harmful to native birds. Find your dream custom house plan or ready-to-build house plan online right here at Direct From The Designers. We also include a link to the plans that will give you all the dimensions and angles nee. Bluebird House Plans: How to Build a Simple Six-Sided Birdhouse Anthony Altorenna Updated: Oct 4, 2022 6:23 PM EDT This simple dovecote style birdhouse has. Bird house plans include a PDF download (link at bottom of post), cutting list, shopping list, drawings, and measurements. They're attractive, have a. The sides (B) measures 11 1/2" x 5 1/2", with a 12° angle cut. Front View. See the right birdhouse to build for each bird species at the Bird House Pages. Drill the entrance hole for the birdhouse. Find small house designs, blueprints & layouts with garages, pictures, open floor plans & more. Nuthatch & Chickadee House Plans. Young: Both parents bring food to the nestlings, and young from a previous brood also help to feed them in some cases. Bluebird House Plans. The Troyer Bluebird House. Breeding habitat is limited to aquatic areas with dead trees, in boreal, deciduous, aspen and montane woods; favor calm, large, clear lakes without much vegetation or fish. Monitor your nest boxes regularly to remove house sparrow nests. is a registered non-profit (501. 67"" Hanging wooden birdhouses PERFECT DESIGN:The entrance hole:1. into the ground and has a set screw and 1/2 in. 25"L x 6. photo courtesy of 100 things 2 do. This birdhouse might attract either bird in that overlap-area. These plans can be used to build a bluebird nest box from a single 5' plank of 1" x 6" lumber. Kirsten is the content director of Birds & Blooms. The last of the three sparrow-resistant bluebird houses on my list is the Troyer Bluebird House. 23) Purple Martin Bird House Plan. Attach the back, sides, roof and bottom pieces using nails. Carolina wrens prefer a house that is more hidden, like around shrubs or trees, than. August is time to clean. and in an open area where at least one side offers a clear view of incoming predators. you name it. 9) The Carl Little Bluebird Box. 17) Wren House Plans. Place boxes at least 100 yards from buildings. We have a variety of bird feeders to attract birds; however, during the winter months, we have extra birds which have migrated here for the winter. 0. for some blue jay bird house plans. Next Project Bluebird populations declined during the first half of the last. Drill the door hole a little higher than halfway to the top. House Wren: House Wrens fill a nestbox with sticks and then line the deep nest cup with fine plant fibers or feathers. Building bluebird nest boxes is a great way to help conserve birds at the local level. Some people are somewhat disappointed when the birds that use nestboxes are not Eastern Bluebirds. The entrance to the nesting box should be about 5-6 feet above the ground. Keep bluebirds roosting in your backyard with the conventional design of this Cedar Bluebird House. Use One Board To Build A Bluebird House. Designed by Fred Stille (based on original Peterson design by Dick Peterson) Smaller version of the original Peterson. These educational Fact Sheets and Plans for construction of Bluebird nest boxes/accessories are free to download and print (as indicated by (PDF) after each title) for your own use, or to use as handouts at Bluebird. Version 1. 10) Hanging Western Bluebird Nest Box. Attach the roof to the sides with 1-5/8-inch deck screws. The first birdhouse plan is from CoopFeathers. Drill the center hole on the front board. See the right birdhouse to build for each bird species at the Bird House. This DIY bluebird house plan is perfect if you’re a beginner carpenter. Here are some free plans for building bird houses. Place these around the openings so that they stay the size you want. The Bluebird Recovery Program of the Audubon Society of Minneapolis partnered with the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program to sponsor workshops, publish education materials and promote the. The sides of the house should enclose the floor to keep rain from seeping into the house and nest. Robin Birdhouse. The Easy Bluebird House Plan The Easy Bluebird House Plan | Source: Pinterest. Chapter 7 - The Alternative Wren House Plan – This is an alternative plan to the basic plan for smaller birds like the wren and they love it Chapter 8 - The Basic Robin, Phoebe and Barn Swallow House Plan – This is an open sided birdhouse plan for these species Chapter 9 - The Basic Owl House Plan – This birdhouse plan is excellent for theStep 1: The Plan. Remove sparrow and starling nests. This is a wooden nest box with a slanted front, a smaller “cupped” nesting cavity, and a horizontal-slot entrance. The hole needs to be 5½ inches from the bottom of the front board. These two types of bluebirds have. In turn that would correlate with a 4 inch depth, along with a 4 inch width internally. On the front face, drill a 1-1/2-inch opening and a 1/2-inch hole for the perch. Remove house sparrow nests if you find them. Set your drill depth to stop at least 1/2" from the bottom. It’s cheap, quick, and easy to make. Multiple features of this bluebird house make it resistant to house sparrows. Although Eastern bluebirds have never been extinct in Michigan, bird lovers have been concerned about this popular member of the thrush family for more than 100 years. The male has a dark sky-blue back and a reddish-earth chest. Bird's Nesting Box : Here's a plan for a nesting box that will keep your backyard birds cozy all winter. Below are some easy, free DIY bird house plans and bird feeder plans. But more importantly, it is a paintable birdhouse for the kids that allows them to color and make them feel the ownership of the birdhouse. Make 1/2″-5/8″ ventillation holes on the sides per the dimensions shown in the Bluebird House Blue Prints. 10) Hanging Western Bluebird Nest Box. House sparrows, also called English. To work, the line must be installed at the beginning of the nesting season, before any sparrows lay claim to the bluebird box. 4) Nestbox Plans. Make a bluebird box! These DIY bluebird house plans meet the. Following are the dimensions of the pieces needed for each of the boxes. 5"W x 12"H each. Download plan: Version 1: 178kb (pdf) Little Pete. Birds don't really live in birdhouses, but some kinds of birds will use them for nesting. only 4 inches/side available Eastern Bluebirds. I’m Canadian, it’s par for the course up here and quite frankly I’d miss it if I were in a more temperate climate. This birdhouse (nest box) is made using a piece of wood and PVC pipe. This week is National Nest Box Week, an event created by the British Trust for Ornithology that encourages U. 12"×5. Designed to attract bluebirds, it features a predator guard to keep them safe, as well as an easy-open latch for quick. that easy). Bluebirds build a nest within the bird house made up of dry grass and straw. Eastern bluebirds have long been the displaced darlings of Pennsylvania's spring, as well as the poster bird for what can go wrong when people introduce non-native species to a new area. 23, 2023 Attract these beautiful birds to your yard with this well-designed house. Cardinal nesting shelter birdhouse plans. 5. Requirements: 5-1/2” x 5-1/2” x 10” high; hole: 1-1/2”, centered 6” above the floor; color: earth tone; placement: 5–10’ on post facing open field (preferring east, north, south, and then west facing. 3cm) Cedar is probably the most affordable weather-resistant wood. Bluebirds are among the most-loved species in America. The General Store - this birdhouse gets its name because it has the look of the storefront of an old country general store. However, pine would also make a great choice. Good style for a nestcam. Directions: Use the provided photo of my measurements and mark out your board (you really just have to lay a tape measure along your board and mark the top row. It generally has a flatter cup than the bluebird’s and is usually lined with many feathers. Leaving bird houses in their natural state allows the bird house to blend into the natural environment. Simple Bird House Plans. Free Birdhouse Plans – Build this unique beautiful birdhouse with a steep roof (with. (It was nailed to the top of a 20-ft. This bluebird house can be made in less than 10 minutes. In areas where the eastern bluebird range overlaps that of the mountain bluebird, use the larger nest box for mountain bluebirds and western bluebirds. The bluebird bird house plans come from a book that my Dad has owned for as long as I can remember. However, chickadees, nuthatches, warblers, woodpeckers, and wrens will also. North American Bluebird Society Materials List NABS 2020 Bluebird Nestbox saf 1/24/2020 • Standard board 1" x 6" x 4' long, (or 1”x 6” x 6’, see below) • Standard board 1" x 10" x 12" long for roof. Mid-Century. Cut a 22. Author: Kenny Kleinpeter Created Date: 10/20/2006 6:08:51 AM. See. #2. competitors such as house wrens and house sparrows will use perches to gain access to a box. Special note: Bluebird houses should be about 6 feet from the ground. Repair or repaint it if necessary, and clean out any old nests inside. 99 $92. Tree & Violet Green Swallow Birdhouse. Step 1: The Cutting List. Birds don’t need elaborate designs so. Young people using our service have complex mental health problems which mean they pose a risk to themselves or others. Bird House Dimensions Chart By Species. We recommend cleaning out the box after each brood or at the end of the year, at a minimum. Note: This case pack contains 4 of the Nature's Way Cedar Traditional Bluebird Houses. 00. Free Bird House Plans. Typically bluebirds lay fewer eggs in a clutch later in the season, as you observed. For most yards, select just one or two bird species that are known to nest in bird houses in that region. 2 broods per year, sometimes 3. These habitats are far more suitable for house wrens, which will dominate nest boxes. By Jesse Grantham June 29, 2012 Birds in This Story Eastern Bluebird Latin: Sialia sialis Photo: Photograph by Jeff Hutchens Birds Tell Us to Act on Climate Three Designed Birdhouse Plans. Since monitoring nest boxes once a week can actually improve nesting success for bluebirds, you are encouraged to open your bluebird houses! Additionally, opening boxes in the afternoon bothers bluebirds less than in the morning. 5 inching (1. As a general rule, you should place your bluebird house in an open, sunny area where there is plenty of short grass where bluebirds can catch insects. The North American Bluebird Society Inc. Aside from the cameras, you’ll need garden posts and poplar boards. Bluebirders often place tree swallow birdhouses within groups of bluebird houses because they protect their territory from sparrows, grackles and other intruders, yet are good neighbors to bluebirds. We also include a link to the plans that will give you all the dimensions and angles nee. Recommended height above ground – 10 to 20 feet. Too small, and the birds can't get in. only 4 inches/side available Eastern Bluebirds. See which birds live near you and where they nest at the Bird Pages. Bluebirds should be arriving soon in Iowa, so now's a great time to clean out those bluebird boxes, or if you don't have one yet, to build your own! If you're cleaning out an existing house, watch out for other wildlife that may have taken up residence there. 8) Peterson Bluebird Nest Box. . Cut the board using the birdhouse plans below. Even with nest boxes in place, bluebirds must compete with both introduced and native species that also want to call these nest boxes their home. DIY Bluebird House from Birds the Blooms. Entrance height: 6-10 inches above the birdhouse floor. 12 of 15. These will be the front and back of the birdhouse. Optionally sand all pieces smooth. Below are winter bird house plans for a winter bird roost or shelter that is designed for bluebirds, but may also be used by wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, tree swallows, and other small birds. Predators such as raccoons can climb trees, fence posts, wooden poles or PVC pipes. Kids Birdhouse Plan. One 1 x 10 x 11″ (roof) Four 1 x 6 x 10″ (front, sides, and back) Two 1 x 6 x 4″ (floor and inner roof) One 2 x 2 x 9″ (pole-mounting block) The entry hole should be 1 9/16″ (optimum size) or 1 1/2″ in diameter. Blue Bird House Location. General bluebird nest box dimensions should be: at least 9”x4. Cut the entry hole by drilling two overlapping holes with a 1-3/8- in. If you choose to leave out a bluebird house in winter, you may need to modify it a bit to make it chilly-weather-friendly. Takes 15 minutes. (optimum) Alternate: 1 1/2"a bluebird. Release planners at Construct101.