How to Build a Bluebird House with Slot Entry🐥! Not Your Grandpa's Bird House Plans for Bluebirds! 

Hey, thanks for asking bro! I had to glue the pieces together because, in this design, the side pieces are on the outside of the front and back pieces. Since the front and back pieces of the birdhouse are the width of the plank, if I just put the roof on without making it wider it would just fall into the top. Make sense?

Excellent bid & plans are super. Did not care to watch a cleaning-up vid.

Alan L. Simmons What do you mean by cleaning up video?

Shanell Cubed, thank you so much!

Brothers & Best Friends Awesome! I am excited to see how it works out!

The slot should be 1-1/8" high.

Go with a good application of Tight Bond III (3). Apply tightbond to both surfaces, a few brad nails & well-placed screws.

Pressure treated wood is fine.

"The North American Bluebird Society's nestbox recommendations (June 2012) state "Do not use pressure treated wood because it includes toxic compounds." "

If you want it to last more than a year or so, you need to use either cedar or treated wood. The horizontal pieces can tend to cup and split in no time. A good alternative is a Gilbertson design.

I agree with the Bluebird Society. Instead, coat the outside of the box with boiled linseed oil a week or so before setting out. Renew annually.

Pressure treated is "poison treated". Not only does the chemical used to prevent fungus and insects harm humans, but all vertebrates.

I'm going to have to check this out. Thanks for the tip!

I use an 18” or so stove pipe with cap On my 5 foot pipe that my bird house is attached to. (I could figure out how to add a picture I would) I use this on my feeders too for squirrels or cats, snakes etc.

Think again.....Amigo

@@mrpanther7013 Sorry Mr. > The Chilean flag was adopted as the official flag on the 18th of October 1817. It was/is called 'La Estrella Solitaria. The colors are from the flag flown bt the Mapuche's during the Arauco war. (Chilean) - Flag day is every year on the 9th of July , commemorating the 1882 Battle of La conception. The flag is displayed properly in horizontal position. The Texas flag was officially ADOPTED on the 25th of January 1839 ( 22 years later than the Chilean one) When Texas became the 28th US state , the national flag ( Jan.25 / 1839) became the DE FACTO Texas state flag. The DE FACTO use was in effect from 1879 till 1933 , when it was re-adopted . The display is vertical. Texas flags : 1821 the James Long flag. 1821 till 1823 The flag of the first Mexican Empire. 1823 till 1836 First flag of the Mexican republic. >>> 1835 / '36 Texas independence war. 1836 till 1839 Texas : the Burnet Flag. 1839 till 1845/46 Lone star flag : Republic of Texas. A lot of interesting history with the Texan flag. I think that credit should be given to where credit is due to the Chilean flag, don't you agree ?

From SFgate.com "The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends a maximum height of 7 feet; the Missouri Department of Conservation recommends a maximum height of 6 feet." I would say you can certainly put it as high as 7 feet but any higher than that might not be attractive to a blue bird. -Austin

@@AustinMakesVids Thank You

That is true, but I think he used that as an excuse for a how to DIY the newer version of a bluebird nesting box.

It actually did very well last year, it stayed occupied most of the summer. I already have a couple of them scouting it out for this year. I may do a follow-up video. The sparrows definitely were interested in it, but it seemed like the bluebirds were able to fend them off. I have read that this shape helps them defend it easier, and that sure seems to be the case.

@@AustinMakesVids Great to hear. My 13 year old is wanting to get into the birdhouse making business, I'll have him check this one out. Thanks Austin!

I think it would sell pretty well, it's a unique design and it has some features that I think are definitely better than a traditional birdhouse. I've got free plans on my website www.austinmakesstuff.com/slotboxplans feel free to use those! Let me know how they sell!

@@AustinMakesVids I saw another bluebird house plan that was designed to be less desirable to the invasive sparrow. In that video he drilled a hole in the top of the birdhouse then covered the top with Plexiglas. He indicated that the invasive sparrow prefers a dimly lit interior .. so the top hole lets in light which bothers sparrows .. whereas it does not bother bluebirds at all. Guessing that your entry slot, across the width of the top, lets in more light to the save effect of deterring sparrows.

​@@rschelp1 i saw that too..... does it work?

Try this - drive.google.com/file/d/1b_ulgodO6kfTnCJgD0qgvSfmXcGjnZ4v/view

Calculated as 1 3/16. Front edge of side piece is 9 1/4 height. Front piece is 8 1/16 height.

5.5 inches. Here are the plans. drive.google.com/file/d/1b_ulgodO6kfTnCJgD0qgvSfmXcGjnZ4v/view?usp=drivesdk

Alice Smith what an awesome bird! You should totally build it this summer! Such a simple project, kids would love being involved in the process!

I like all kinds of birds, don't get me wrong. However, the common sparrow is actually an invasive species. They aren't originally from North America and have competed against native birds for resources. I am not doing anything to eliminate the sparrows, however I AM giving the native bird species a better chance of survival. Sparrows are very territorial, and I don't just mean their box. They are territorial over large areas and other birds aren't welcome to even coexist. So they will run them off and destroy/take over their nests. Thanks for watching!

@@AustinMakesVids you're so racist

house sparrows are killers of so many other birds. i have had one bluebird nest with babies and a chickadee nest with babies killed this spring alone. i am about to take action either with my slingshot or a trap to then kill them. i cried for over two hours yesterday finding my bluebird babies dead. they kill parent birds too. leaving the babies to starve

@@User556q no your just ignorant

@Jessica Chung actually bluebirds can attack predators and eat them like bugs n stuff ok

Why the hate on sparrow's

Robert White House sparrows are not native to North America and directly compete for nesting habitat against native songbirds.

Yes, basically what Isaac said. They are not native, they are aggressive and can kill native birds as well as eating all of the food available. They don’t coexist well.

@@robertwhite2241 they are illegal aliens 👽

Got a little heavy handed with the drill.

Yeah, it's a bit plain. From what I understand, that's what the bluebird like. You are right, a bit larger wouldn't hurt.

I see the wink! Still I have to comment. They have plenty of places. Like the house of the dead bluebird they just killed. Can't tell you how many years I'd have a nest of bluebirds and later find the mother/father or babies dead in spots all over the yard (after noticing a few days prior to sparrows were fighting with them). Never round a dead sparrow so I assume the bluebirds aren't as aggressive.

Sparrows are an invasive species. Starlings are as well. Bluebirds are native to North America and they need every fighting chance they can get against European sparrows. like Marvin Martian says, they have plenty of places to live.

English House Sparrows kill many birds even hatchlings to take over nests. Read up on them. Very disturbing.

What about just better music?

Try the mute button!