What Kind of Birdhouses
Attract Bluebirds?

By Richard Worden

Installing a birdhouse is one of the best ways to attract feathered friends to any home. The species you're hoping to lure will determine the box's size, design, and content. So what kind of birdhouses attract bluebirds?

The kind of birdhouses that attract bluebirds have an entrance hole between 1.5 and 2.25 inches (3.81-5.72 cm). The square box should be up to 9 inches (22.9 cm) deep with sides 5.5 inches (14 cm) long. They also find natural-looking, weather-resistant wood like cedar most attractive.

Continue reading this article if you want your neighborhood to be considered nest-worthy by your local bluebirds. I will share more tips on building and placing them outdoors for the best results.

What Makes a Good Bluebird House?

You can't just build or purchase any birdhouse for bluebirds - or any avian species - and automatically expect them to flood it. You must understand their nesting period, brood size, and preferences. So what kind of birdhouses attract bluebirds? Are there any features that make one excellent for nesting?

A good bluebird house has an entrance hole large enough to allow birds in but small enough to keep competitors and large predators away. It should be on poles between four feet (1.2 meters) and six feet (1.8 meters) from ground level. Its depth should ideally be around 9 inches (22.9 cm).

These and more subtle attributes matter if you want to see bluebirds hang around your box anytime soon. They are intelligent birds that can easily discern whether the birdhouse will safely and comfortably house them or not, so consider these tips when buying or constructing a birdhouse for bluebirds. what kind of bird houses attract bluebirds

Get the Dimensions Right

Mature bluebirds are one of the smallest avians; they are about two-thirds the size of an American Robin. Here are some important dimensions to consider when choosing a birdhouse for bluebirds:

• They are 6.3-8.3 inches (16-21 cm) in length.
• They are usually 1-1.1 oz (28-32 g) in weight. 
• They have a wingspan of 9.8-12.6 inches (25-32 cm).

Each species of Bluebird has slightly different needs. See below for some species-specific dimensions:

• For Mountain bluebirds, the entrance hole should be a circle of 1.56 inches (3.96 centimeters). 
• The ideal entrance size for Western bluebirds should be around 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters). 
• Eastern bluebirds need an entrance hole of 2.25 inches (5.7 centimeters).

The perfect house's width, length, and depth are 5.5, 5.5, and 9 inches (13.97, 13.97, and 22.86 centimeters), respectively.

Place Them Strategically

No matter how appealing your birdhouse may seem, bluebirds won’t visit if:

• They can't find it.
• Predators lurk around the area, compromising their safety.
• The birdhouse is in an open area.
• It is too close to another birdhouse.
• The area is too noisy.

To attract bluebirds effectively, place the box between four to six feet (1.2-1.8 meters) from the ground. This ensures their potential nest's protection from ground predators.

If you have more than one birdhouse, ensure they are at least 215 feet (65.5 meters) away from one another. Bluebirds are highly territorial, especially during the breeding season, and won't hesitate to fight over nesting sites. what kind of bird houses attract bluebirds

Add Some Tweaks to the Birdhouse or Area

Your birdhouse doesn’t need to be fancy, and even if your bird box isn't the most stunning, bluebirds will still be attracted to it if it fits their needs.

For starters, you can help the bluebirds defend their boxes better from House Sparrows. Ensure two separate yet identical holes are on the front panel, and the bluebirds will do the rest.

They also face competition from Tree Swallows, so preventing the latter from nesting in the box is another way to ensure the bluebirds feel safe. Pair the birdhouse with another for Swallows 5-10 feet (1.52-3.05 m) apart so that both their territorial aggression will repel others of similar species.

After a successful nesting, when the brood fledges, clean the house to encourage new bluebirds to nest. Placing materials inside the birdhouse, like grasses or pine needles, will motivate them to build there.

Best Birdhouses to Attract Bluebirds

Constructing a bird box with the dimensions above would yield successful results in attracting bluebirds. However, if you’re not into DIY, you can purchase birdhouses online. If you're looking to buy from Amazon, what kind of birdhouses attract bluebirds? Are there any unique qualities to guide your choice?

Below is a well-curated list of some of the best birdhouses to consider for these species. what kind of bird houses attract bluebirds

Most Recommended:

Easiest to Maintain:

Best Hand-Crafted:

Best Design:

Best Features:

Most Sturdy:

What Kind of Bird Houses Attract Bluebirds...
Final Thoughts

Bluebirds are cavity-nesters; thus, they look for enclosed spaces such as birdhouses to nest. However, not every box will attract them. 

The kind of birdhouses that lure them possess the following qualities:

• An entrance hole between 1.5 and 2.25 inches (3.81-5.72 cm).
• A depth of 9 inches (22.9 cm).
• Sides that are at least 5.5 inches (14 cm) long.
• Placed on poles between four feet (1.2 meters) and six feet (1.8 meters).
  
  

Back To The TOP Of This What Kind of Bird Houses Attract Bluebirds Page

---

---

---

1. We Know Birds HOME
›
2. Bluebird Facts and Information
›
3. What Kind of Birdhouses Attract Bluebirds?

Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

Read More...

We Know Birds is an Amazon Associate. As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.