Best Back Yard Locations for a Blue Bird House

And so yous want a bluebird house in your backyard?

Well, you lot accept come to the right identify.

In this mail, I take included everything y'all demand to know near getting started with bluebird houses: (Click the hyperlinked text beneath to skip to that specific section!)

• seven Free Bluebird Business firm Plans

  • Easy DIY Videos/PDF's yous can build yourself!
  • Learn the seven features that a bluebird nest box should have.

• four Pre-made Bluebird Houses

  • If you're not a talented carpenter, then purchase one of these bluebird houses on Amazon and have them shipped direct to your front end door!

• 9 Helpful Tips For Success With Bluebird Houses

  • This section is a MUST READ for anybody that decides to put up a bluebird house!

Before nosotros begin, I desire to answer a common question:

How practice bluebird nest boxes aid bluebirds?

Bluebirds are considered cavity nesters, which ways they will only nest inside a cavity that is fully enclosed, except for the entrance hole. You lot will never come across a bluebird build a nest out in the open up similar an American Robin or Mourning Pigeon.

To complicate the issue, bluebirds are unable to brand their own nest cavity. And then in the wild, bluebirds rely on holes in trees that woodpeckers excavated in seasons past.

Around 100 years ago, bluebird populations (well-nigh notably Eastern Bluebirds) started declining considering of an extreme decrease in available nesting sites, mostly due to these three reasons:

• Humans typically cut down dead, rotting trees.

  • If you have a dead or dying tree in your one thousand, you normally accept information technology cut down. This may exist great aesthetically, only recall that beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Rotting copse are PERFECT for woodpeckers to excavate holes to build their nest cavities, which are and then used by bluebirds in subsequent years.

• Erstwhile fence posts have been replaced with newer, hardier posts.

  • Wooden argue posts used to exist first-class nesting sites for bluebirds afterwards woodpeckers would hollow cavities. About of these wooden posts have been replaced by metal posts, wire, or treated wood, which is harder for woodpeckers to excavate holes within considering it does not decay easily.

• Firm Sparrows and European Starlings were introduced from Europe!

Both of these invasive birds use the aforementioned nesting cavities that bluebirds require, except both of these strange bully birds can outcompete bluebirds and easily drive them abroad from their nesting infinite. It's not uncommon to find a bluebird that has been savagely killed by a House Sparrow or European Starling.

• • RELATED: 6 Proven Tips To STOP House Sparrows From Taking Over Your Feeders

  • RELATED: iii Proven Ways To Get Rid of Starlings TODAY

Thanks to many dedicated people building nest boxes, bluebirds have recovered!

The North American Bluebird Guild has tirelessly promoted bluebird conservation to help bring public awareness to the nesting cavity consequence, forth with an incredible increase in knowledge virtually year-round requirements and behavior of all three bluebird species.

• RELATED: How To Attract Bluebirds: 6 Proven Tips

Are yous set up to join bluebird fanatics all over North America and start building (or buying) nest boxes?

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7 Gratuitous Bluebird House Plans.

As you can imagine, in that location are thousands of unlike plans for birdhouses available online. The problem is that most of them are not designed with bluebirds in listen.

I did my best to find birdhouses that were effective at attracting bluebirds, included articulate instructions, and are relatively easy to build!

This short list is past no means all-encompassing, and there are many types of bluebird houses that work well. If you talk to 100 bluebird enthusiasts, you volition probably get 100 different nest box recommendations!

• RELATED: 13 FREE Birdhouse Plans: Like shooting fish in a barrel PDF/Video Instructions (For Robins, Cardinals, Purple Martins, Chickadees, Wrens, & Swallows).

A. PDF Instructions for Bluebird House Plans  (5 total)

• #1. Xbox Birdhouse Program PDF (Nestboxbuilder.com)

The Xbox is a archetype looking bluebird house that is uncomplicated to build and effective at housing birds.

• #2. Peterson Bluebird Firm Program PDF (Nestboxbuilder.com)

The Peterson has worked wonderfully to house bluebirds for many years. Information technology does not wait like your typical birdhouse, with the front end and back coming closer together as you move from top to the lesser. Just a alarm that the Peterson nest box can be tricky to build.

• #3. Gilbertson PVC Bluebird Nest Box PDF (Nestboxbuilder.com)

The Gilbertson bluebird firm is more often than not made from PVC pipe! The piping detaches from the wooden roof to monitor bluebird nests quickly and easily.

• #4. F30 Nestbox Plan PDF – Ideal for Western/Mountain Bluebirds (Nestboxbuilder.com)

The F30 bluebird nestbox has a large floor infinite, totaling 30.25 square inches, which makes it ideal for Western & Mount Bluebirds. These two types of bluebirds have larger clutch sizes than Eastern Bluebirds and prefer flooring dimensions of 5-1/2 inches per side vs. only four inches/side for Eastern Bluebirds.

• #5. DIY Bluebird House from Birds and Blooms

A elementary to build, yet proven bluebird house that is fabricated mostly from ane cedar board.

*Many of the above bluebird house plans were institute on a helpful website called Nestbox Builder. If yous don't similar whatsoever of these designs higher up, they have many more DIY projects available !*

B. Video Bluebird House Tutorials (2 Total)

In the historic period of YouTube, I think it's easier to follow forth to video instructions. This is especially truthful for people like me that are not incredibly handy and generally embarrassed at their lack of carpentry skills. 🙂

• #six. "How To Build An Cheap Eastern Bluebird Business firm"

In this video, yous tin can see how to build a bluebird business firm entirely from a 6-foot long argue post. Seriously, that's the only wood required!

• #7. "How To Build A Bluebird House."

This friendly gentleman shows us how to build a bluebird business firm from a single lath. I like how much particular he goes into when constructing the next box, which is specially helpful for novices similar myself. I was able to discover the PDF bluebird business firm instructions he references through the video. —> View the PDF HERE!  (Missouri Conservation Committee)

C. Read These 7 Tips Before Building a Bluebird House!

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Tip #1 – Use the right size entrance pigsty!

There is probably goose egg more important than drilling the right entrance hole to your bluebird house. If information technology's too pocket-sized, a bluebird won't be able to fit inside. And if it'south likewise big, then European Starlings and other predatory birds can fit inside to either utilise the nest box or eat the nestlings!

The entrance hole size hole depends on where you live and which specific bluebird species you are trying to attract. For your information, there are THREE types of bluebirds in N America; Eastern Bluebird , Mountain Bluebird , and Western Bluebird .

• For Eastern Bluebirds, use either a 1½ inch round hole, a 1⅜ x two¼ inch vertical oval hole, or 1⅛ inch horizontal slot entrance.

• For Western and Mount Bluebirds , employ a 1-9/16 inch round opening or 1-3/xvi inch slot entrance. Western Bluebirds accept no problem with a 1-1/2 inch bore hole, only Mountain Bluebirds crave the larger entry of 1-nine/16 inches. And since the Mountain and Western Bluebird ranges overlap in many areas, y'all can't be certain which species you will attract.

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Tip #2: Make sure there are drainage holes drilled in the bottom of the bluebird firm.

You don't desire any water to accumulate within. Bluebirds don't enjoy nesting in swimming pools!

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Tip #3: Include vents at the tiptop of your bluebird house.

Information technology can become extremely hot within of a bluebird nest box. Your birds will capeesh some holes drilled into the top to help with airflow and cooling.

Another mode to aid decrease internal temperatures is to use wood that is at least iii/iv inches thick. And the lighter the color of your forest, the better. Brand certain non to paint the outside of your bluebird house a dark colour, such equally greenish or black, since darker colors concenter heat.

If you alive in an area where temperatures are routinely above 90 degrees F, and then you should consider placing your bluebird box at least partially in the shade or create larger ventilation gaps.

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Tip #iv: Your bluebird house must open hands.

Whatsoever responsible bluebird host MUST constantly monitor their next boxes against House Sparrows and other intruders. You will thank yourself later if your birdhouse has a side or roof that easily opens to check inside.

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Tip #five: No perches!

Do not attach a perch to the front end of the birdhouse. Bluebirds don't require one, and information technology volition only encourage other birds, such every bit House Sparrows and European Starlings, to utilise the house or give predators a place to land.

• iii Proven Ways To Get Rid of Starlings TODAY

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Tip #6: Make sure the roof overhangs the entrance.

The lilliputian bit of overhang will assistance keep out rain and provide shade.

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Tip #7: Don't drill your entrance hole besides low.

The height from the bottom of the archway hole to the flooring should exist between five-7 inches.

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4 Pre-made Bluebird Houses Y'all Can Buy

If you take already given upwardly trying to build a nest box, then purchase ane of these pre-made houses on Amazon and phone call information technology a mean solar day!

• A. Woodlink EASTERN Bluebird House View Price - Amazon

Made of red cedar, opens easily, and has a ane-1/2 inch opening for Eastern Bluebirds. Includes ventilation gaps at the acme and drainage holes on the bottom. This house slightly resembles the Xbox bluebird house to a higher place (#one).

• B. Stovall WESTERN / MOUNTAIN Bluebird House View Price - Amazon

This bluebird house has a 1-9/16 inch entrance hole and larger floor dimensions, which makes it ideal for Western and Mountain Bluebirds. The sides hands open, and 1 side even has a plastic window so you lot can look within without agonizing nestlings.

• C. Eco-Friendly Birdhouse

At present, this is a fancy bluebird house! Start, it's made from durable recycled plastic then it will terminal a LONG time. The house also includes a congenital-in predator guard, raised mesh flooring to protect the nestlings, and ventilation and drainage holes. Lastly, the front lifts open up easily to make clean or check on the babies.

• D. Stovall Peterson Bluebird House View Toll - Amazon

So if you like the design of the Peterson Bluebird Firm in the above section simply are not skilled plenty (like me!) to build one, and so yous might besides get ahead and buy this house. The only complaint with this firm is that the hole is made too big to keep out starlings, but it's an easy gear up by purchasing a ane.5-inch plate (for Eastern Bluebirds) or predator baby-sit to put over the hole.

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ix Helpful Tips For Success With Bluebird Houses

Before making or ownership a bunch of bluebird houses, you lot NEED to read this section. I wish it were as easy as hanging some nest boxes in your backyard, then sitting back and waiting for bluebirds to showtime having babies, but it's not.

Housing bluebirds can be quite a commitment, every bit you will learn beneath. For many of you, I am going to recommend against trying to attract bluebirds to your backyard , solely based upon where you live, and this includes myself!

Tip #1: Y'all Must Account For Business firm Sparrows.

I may take bad news for you.

If you alive in an urban or suburban expanse that is infested with House Sparrows , it may not be worth the effort to try and attract bluebirds and may even be dangerous for them!

• RELATED: 6 Proven Tips To Finish House Sparrows From Taking Over Your Feeders

Hither's a brief history of the relationship between bluebirds and the invasive, non-native House Sparrow:

House Sparrows are from Europe and were introduced to the United states of america in 1850. Since then, these highly adaptable birds have expanded their range across the entire continent, and they are now establish in almost every corner of the world. House Sparrows savor being near people, as they are usually the bird that's trying to steal your popcorn and bread at entertainment parks!

But House Sparrows are bad news for bluebirds!

That's because House Sparrows use the same nesting cavities as bluebirds. They may non look the part, but Firm Sparrows are EXTREMELY ambitious, and they about ALWAYS outcompete bluebirds for available nesting sites and birdhouses.

House Sparrows even commonly KILL bluebirds inside nestboxes to wipe away their contest.

Then if you live in an urban area that already has lots of House Sparrows, putting up a birdhouse for bluebirds is only going to encourage House Sparrows to nest inside. And if yous are lucky enough to house a bluebird, you run the risk of having a House Sparrow attack or injure information technology.

Unfortunately, I live in a neighborhood suburb just outside of Akron, Ohio. We have Firm Sparrows everywhere! When I try to hang bluebird houses in my lawn, they are almost immediately taken over by these invasive, corking birds. There is no way I am always going to be able to SAFELY house bluebirds in my backyard. 🙁

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Tip #two: You Must Constantly Monitor Your Bluebird Boxes.

The BEST way to make sure that House Sparrows don't take over your bluebird boxes is to CONSTANTLY monitor them at to the lowest degree ONCE per week. By checking the boxes then often, yous can place and rectify any bug quickly.

When you walk up to a nest box, you desire to do it quickly and quietly. Talk softly as you lot approach and then tap the side of the business firm lightly to give developed birds a chance to wing out. It's not uncommon for a female laying on her eggs to stay inside even once you open up the box.

The but fourth dimension you don't want to open up upwardly a nest box is when the nestlings are about 12-xiv days old .

At this signal, they are getting prepared to exit the nest but are not quite gear up. Opening upwards the box may scare the juveniles prematurely out into the world! Make certain to keep accurate records of when the bluebirds hatched then yous know this critical fourth dimension frame.

Don't worry nigh making bluebirds carelessness their nest as they are tolerant of humans. It's also an old wives tale that touching a birds nest volition make the adults leave. Birds can barely scent annihilation!

So what if Business firm Sparrows are found inside of a bluebird house?

Firm Sparrows CAN'T be allowed to stay inside of a nest box (at to the lowest degree if you desire to attract bluebirds!). As said earlier, these invasive species outcompete and ordinarily kill bluebirds.

Remove any House Sparrow nests immediately! While it's possible to recognize a Firm Sparrow nest vs. a bluebird nest, the best way to ostend is to find the next box to run across which species are inside.

• *For help identifying nests and eggs that may appear within your bluebird firm, cheque out the second page of this guide created by the N American Bluebird Club.*

The only nests yous are immune to remove are House Sparrows and European Starlings considering Federal Law does not protect these 2 birds since they are considered invasive species.

If you lot detect a chickadee, titmouse, wren, or eat nest inside your bluebird box, Practise Not REMOVE! These are native birds, and it's illegal to mess with them, fifty-fifty if you want likewise.

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Tip #three: You can't install just I bluebird firm!

Two types of swallows (Tree & Violet-Green) will also utilize your bluebird houses and actively compete with bluebirds for the right to nest within. Bluebirds and swallows are equal competitors, and it's a toss-upwardly who will win the prized existent estate. Unfortunately, nestlings can die in the fighting.

An like shooting fish in a barrel way to ease some of the tension is to put up TWO nest boxes about v-15 feet autonomously. Interestingly, both species volition actively defend the nest box they are using from ALL species of birds, only they will only protect the other house that they are not using from their own species. So by putting up two boxes, bluebirds and swallows tin nest side by side to each other peacefully.

Putting upwardly pairs of boxes works incredibly well, and yous will hopefully get to observe ii different types of native birds nesting!

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Tip #4: Give advisable spacing between pairs of nest boxes.

If you plan setting up multiple pairs of bluebird houses, then yous demand to provide acceptable space in betwixt each set.

Bluebirds are territorial, and each male has about ii-iii acres in his specific territory. To avoid confrontation and fights between bluebirds, space each pair of bluebird houses at least 100 feet away from each other.

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Tip #5: Place your bluebird house in the appropriate habitat.

In general, bluebirds like open spaces and are non typically found in forests.

Here is a brief description of the habitat that each bluebird species adopt:

• RELATED: The 3 Bluebird Species Plant in the United States (and Canada)!

Eastern Bluebird : Can exist found in meadows and open spaces surrounded by trees. Look for them on the sides of roads, golf courses, and fields. I always see Eastern Bluebirds at a local Christmas tree farm.

Western Bluebird : These birds relish open woodlands, both coniferous and deciduous. You tin also run across them in backyards and farmland, and they live from sea level up into the mountains.

Mountain Bluebird : Equally the name suggests, these birds are common to meet at medium to higher elevations. Look for them in native habitats such equally prairie, sagebrush steppe, and even alpine tundra; anywhere with an open country that includes at least a few trees that tin can provide nest cavities.

So the best location to place your bluebird house is in an open field, preferably with a bit of shade during parts of the 24-hour interval but that is non necessary.

Since bluebirds primarily eat insects, they crave hunting perches . They readily use shrubs, smaller trees, lower branches of large copse, and fence posts. You tin can also add together stakes to the habitat that bluebirds volition readily use for hunting and resting!

Thin or low vegetation is a perfect habitat for bluebirds.

Merely think about these following areas, which are all Bully areas and locations to view bluebirds: Cemeteries, orchids, Christmas tree farms, golf game courses, open highways, pastures, public parks, and large lawns that are kept mowed.

For your information, in that location are quite a few other birds that are secondary cavity nesters and will apply bluebird houses. The listing includes:

• Swallows (Tree, Violet-greenish)
• House Sparrows
• *Chickadees (Black-capped, Carolina, Mount)
• *Titmice (Tufted, Oak, Juniper, Black-crested)
• *Wrens (Bewick'south, Carolina, House)
• European Starlings (Only if the entrance hole is larger than 1-1/2 inches.)

*These species typically won't nest inside of a bluebird box if information technology's positioned in a field or meadow. These species adopt their nesting boxes placed in the woods. To avoid contest from these birds (especially wrens), endeavour to put the bluebird box at least 100 feet from wooded areas.*

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Tip #6: Correctly mountain your bluebird houses.

Now that you take your birdhouses and know WHERE to place them, y'all must correctly mount them. Here are the virtually common things to apply:

• Garden U-Posts : View Price - Amazon

  • These metallic posts are cracking for attaching bluebird houses, as they are lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and found at near any garden center. Birdhouses are attached with bolts or wire.

• Debate Posts:

  • Make sure to identify the box outside any areas where livestock could knock it downwards.

• Metal Pipes:

  • These are incredibly durable, simply a bit harder to adhere a box too. Here is a video showing how it can be easily done:

• Trees:

  • I would avoid attaching bluebird boxes to trees if possible. The reason is that it'due south hard to protect nest boxes in trees from predators. And Firm Wrens will more readily compete for a house that's located in a tree.

• Bluebird House Pole Set: View Cost - Amazon

  • Yous can also buy a peculiarly made pole that was designed for mounting bluebird houses. The gear up fifty-fifty includes an auger on the bottom to assistance identify deeply in the footing. This pole set is a great pick for people like me who are not great at DIY projects!

Lastly, here are a few tips when mounting your nest box:

• T he ideal height of a bluebird house is iv-5 feet above the basis , but birds will utilize boxes that are every bit depression as iii feet and as loftier every bit 15 feet in the air.

• There is no perfect direction to face the entrance holes. But if you live in a hot climate, information technology may be all-time to point the front of the house North or East to avoid the midday sun.

• If possible, face the box toward a tree, shrub, or something else that a baby bird could land upon within 100 anxiety . When a babe bluebird leaves the nest for the first time, they will appreciate not having to fly far to their first landing spot.

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Tip #7: Prepare for predators.

While we know that predation is part of nature, and in that location is no way to ever have a 100% success rate with your bluebird chicks, it is even so incredibly sad and shocking to lose infant birds.

• RELATED: Did you find a baby bird? Here'southward what to exercise side by side!

While yous can't guarantee the safety of your bluebirds, a few strategies can exist used to aid deter, repel, and keep away some of their most common predators!

PVC Pipe or Baffles on the Mounting Pole:

A common fashion for predators to accomplish a bluebird nest is by climbing up the pole that the nest box is mounted upon. The almost mutual culprits are cats, raccoons, and snakes, merely don't be surprised if you have problems with opossums, squirrels, and mice!

• RELATED: vii Ways To Keep Raccoons OFF Your Bird Feeders!

Luckily, climbing up the pole is like shooting fish in a barrel to stop by placing a baby-sit directly onto the pole. Hither are a few options:

• four-inch diameter PVC pipe placed over the unabridged mounting pole, from the bottom of the box to the footing. From in that location, you should grease the pole with vaseline or another non-toxic lubricant.

• Installing a wrap-around baffle beneath the bluebird house is too constructive. View on Amazon

• If your bluebird box is mounted on a tree or large fence mail service, so it becomes harder to predator-proof. One idea is to accept wide strips of galvanized metal and endeavour to wrap the tree or post so information technology is so smoothen that nada can climb up.

Entrance Hole Guards or Extensions:

Another way that predators can injure your bluebird families is by reaching directly into the entrance. The easiest way to fix this problem is to add together a guard or extend the hole to make information technology harder for hawks, cats, and other predators to accomplish inside.

• Noel Predator Baby-sit:

The Noel guard is made of wire mesh that is folded and stapled to the front end of your bluebird business firm. It's suitable for stopping raccoons, cats, and hawks from reaching inside of the nest box to eat the nestlings.

• Make your own HERE.
• Buy an inexpensive Noel guard on Amazon –> View Cost - Amazon

• Nest Hole Extensions:

Kettle Moraine Predator Guard With Copper View Toll - Amazon

An extension for the entrance hole to your bluebird house makes it more hard for predators to reach downwardly into the nest. Entrance hole guards don't work well for raccoons only are sufficient for most other predators.

I similar the one pictured above considering it includes copper effectually the entrance hole, which makes it impossible for any mammal to chew to enlarge the pigsty.

The Kettle Moraine predator baby-sit extends the entrance hole an additional 7/8 inches. If you observe that is not enough distance, then you lot may demand to add a second ane or brand your own with a cake of wood.

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Tip #8: When should you put upwards a bluebird house?

The best time to put up a nest box is yesterday!

Bluebirds get-go looking for nesting cavities equally early on as Feb each yr, and they volition use them through August for breeding. During the wintertime, bluebirds volition often utilise nesting boxes for roosting.

And then don't wait when it comes to your birdhouses . Get them upward as before long as possible to give bluebirds plenty of time to observe them in their habitat.

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Tip #9: Use Other Methods To Attract Bluebirds.

For bluebirds to find your nest boxes, y'all may need to deploy a few proven techniques to attract them initially.

Hither are a few of my favorite tips for attracting bluebirds to your yard.

• Hang bird feeders that are filled with delicious mealworms.

  • RELATED: The v BEST Bluebird & Mealworm Feeders To Try

• Set up up a birdbath with fresh water.

• Plant NATIVE trees, flowers, and shrubs.

For much more information well-nigh each of the above strategies, check out my following postal service:

• How To Concenter Bluebirds: 6 Proven Tips

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Final Thoughts

I hope you have enjoyed my definitive guide to bluebird houses! At over iv,000 words, information technology'southward i of the longest posts y'all will find on Bird Watching HQ .

Unfortunately, there is still a lot more than yous can learn nearly maintaining bluebirds, specifically if you want to set upwardly your own bluebird trail.

If you are looking for more information and demand additional resource, hither are some cracking places to start:

• Northward American Bluebird Lodge
  • Many educational materials regarding bluebirds!
  • Search for a local affiliate near you Hither.

• The Bluebird Book: The Complete Guide To Alluring Bluebirds
  • A lot of the information that I have learned about bluebirds came from this volume.

• Sialis.org
  • This website is total of incredible information nigh bluebirds! It is probably the well-nigh thorough and detailed resources anywhere. The only drawback is that the site blueprint looks a bit dated. Be patient and sift through the content anyways, it's worth it!

Cheers for reading! Before you go, I'd dearest to hear from you lot.

What bluebird business firm plans have you had the most success using?

Are there whatever bluebird tips you lot have that I didn't include?

In case yous demand to skip back up to an earlier section, here are the links:

• 7 Gratuitous Bluebird Firm Plans

• 4 Pre-made Bluebird Houses

• 9 Helpful Tips For Success With Bluebird Houses

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Source: https://birdwatchinghq.com/bluebird-houses/

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