Bird House Plans

"Why are there so many different bird house plans?"

Also, the appropriate size hole will exclude certain undesirable species. For example, a hole size 1 1/8 inch in diameter will exclude starlings and house sparrows, which often monopolize nest boxes and even evict more desirable species. So it is important to choose the appropriate bird house plan for the species you wish to attract.

Approximately 1 dozen cavity-nesting birds will use boxes with a 1 1/2" entrance hole. These include Tree & Violet-green Swallows, bluebirds, chickadees, wrens, nuthatches, and possibley titmice. Wrens will use holes that are smaller than 1 1/8" in diameter. Woodpeckers will prefer larger holes, 2 1/2" across.

Birds nest in different habitats. So if you place your house in an open field, you are more likely to attract bluebirds or swallows. If you place your house in a more wooded area, you are more likely to attract nuthatches. So if you want to attract a certain species to your box, keep in mind their natural habitat when looking for a location.

Placement is also important. Your bird house site should not be surrounded by thick foliage, as parents need an open flight path to and from the nest. All locations should have an abundance of food, protective cover, and water.

Don't put a perch on the nest box. This makes it easier for cats, squirrels, and other predators to reach inside.

In general, houses should:

• Be several feet off the ground
• Face away from prevailing spring winds
• Have an angled front to prevent rain from entering the hole

The roof or one wall should be hinged, so the box can be opened and cleaned after use, and there should be small drainage holes in the bottom.

If you mount a box on a pole, tree, or post, the same predator guard devices used for bird feeders should be included.

Some examples of predator guards are baffle blocks or Noel wire raccoon guards around the entry-hole, and cone baffles or metal/PVC sleeves around the pole, tree, or post the house is mounted on.

Some birds do not nest in holes. Robin and phoebes for example, will use a tray-like ledge with a roof, attached to a tree or the side of a building. Barn swallows will use an unroofed shelf under the eave a building.

Wooden strips nailed under the eave on the outside of a barn or other large building in the open will make it easier for cliff swallows to attach their nests. After the nesting season is over, knock off the swallow nests, so that each pair will build a new one. This avoids occupation by house sparrows before the swallows return.

Purple martins nest colonially in martin apartment houses. Bird house plans for martins vary from very simple to quite elaborate. Gourds may be used for martins as well and are very popular in the south. Hard shell gourds are members of the species, Lagenaria, also called bottle gourds. They can be suspended from crossbars on a tall pole.

Here are bird house plans available as digital delivery or on a cd on eBay. You can get as much as 90+ bird house plans for under $10:

Bluebird House Plans
Variety of plans for Eastern, Western and Mountain bluebirds.

Purple Martin Bird House Plans
Multi-level, multi-rooms designs for Purple Martin colonies.

Robin & Phoebe Bird House Plans
Nest Shelves and platforms for Robins and Phoebes.

American Kestrel Nest Box Plans
Classic kestrel next box design with tips on construction.

Bird House Dimensions Chart
For 34 species; chickadees, hawks, owls, wrens, nuthatches, more.

Making Bird Houses - Construction Tips
What kind of materials to use, roof slant, entrance hole shape, etc. 

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