Sparrows also like bluebird houses. We have three and two usually have sparrows living in them. The bluebirds have the one that faces east like they enjoy. They have returned for two years. I love seeing them.
Yes they do. I’ve got a brown-headed nuthatch in the one I built. Our bluebirds didn’t stick around this year. I had three boxes with them but after their first hatch they left.
I am so happy that I found your video. I looked for your mom's book by Hi Sibley | Jan 1, 1980) I just bought it. Only $5.95 I make houses but always wanted to make other items such as feeders and possibly nesting boxes. I LOVE how you did this one. I can't wait for my new (old) book. We are old school and appreciate our feathered friends. I have enough wood (and trees) to make dozens I have a new
Cherokee Rose that’s awesome! Thanks so much for the nice comment. I’m glad you found the book, I had no idea it was still available, hope you enjoy it. The birds are going to love you.
I found these plans and made this birdhouse this past weekend with some modifications. I used the nail hinge idea from the traditional birdhouse, same plans, and have the left side swing up to open.
To be more accurate on my cuts I just scribe two lines with a 1/16" gap between them. Then I just make sure the saw blade cuts between the two lines. Thanks for the info.
I've only had tree swallows nesting in my backyard birdhouses for 12 years or so. Bluebirds always check them out early spring but never settled in until this summer. The tree swallows fledged and now bluebirds moved in next door (another peterson house 20 feet away in same backyard. Peeked at the chicks today, doing well.
I was just reading about tree swallows using bluebird boxes last night. They suggested putting two bluebird boxes near each other. One for the swallows and one for the bluebirds. Bluebirds are very territorial so usually you should put them at least 300’ apart but according to this article, that’s for other bluebirds and not swallows. Here is the link, www.treeswallowprojects.com/tresvsbb.html “It is impossible to design a swallow-proof bluebird box because swallows are so much smaller and slimmer than bluebirds. However, there is one proven technique that allows both songbirds to nest together successfully. This is "pairing;" setting up pairs of boxes, with each box of a pair no more than 5-10 feet apart. Since Tree Swallows seldom allow another pair of swallows to nest within 10 feet, the second box is usually free for bluebird use and the two species can co-exist, after some initial squabbling to sort out who gets which box.”
I built a little bitty bird house last year, first time. I have a family of eastern Bluebirds nesting in it. Two babies and one egg. I love watching them. I’m going to try and train them to eat out of my hand if they return next year.
Ever thought about using a Brad nailer for construction instead of nails? I have used that method for years and working well and can use more without splitting wood. Good either way.
Would of made the front panel small enough to fit between the 2 side panels, then make the bottom panel small enough for the front panel to over lap it. Then you would only need 2 screws at the top of the front panel to hinge it. Bend a nail over the front panel at the bottom as a latch and done. Then you wouldn't need a screw driver to check the bird house every time for that would be a pain.
@@LSatch I make the bottom slab 4"x 4" so that works perfect using 1" x 6" lumber.. So the front panel would 4" wide as well. Everything else would be 5 1/2" wide. This works for all birds that are about bluebird size. I always drilled a hole but the kentucky style looks easier to build and i going to try it. I want to build some for my kids to use since they have there own homes with no bird houses. Next I might also try to install some cameras but haven't figured how I want to do it yet. I have a few bird houses in Wifi range of the house.
@@lloydbrannan1002 sounds great. Funny thing is, this house got eaten up by termites and is sitting on my workbench in a heap. I’ve been planning on a re-build and will definitely use your advice. And, I just finished a promotional video of a bird house with a camera. If you already have a small security camera you will easily convert it to a house with a camera. I’ll be posting it soon
@@LSatch I forgot to mention I use treated lumber and put them on a 3/4" pole with a stove pipe baffle so it would be hard for termites to eat it along with other things. I also use a piece of wood at the bottom of the pole to keep the pole straight when burying it in the ground. It also make it easier to relocate it rather then concreting it into the ground.
Kentucky Style is an outhouse without the moon opening to allow for more air flow. LOL I put a bird feeder up last year, but the squirrels enjoyed it more than the birds. I need to find a solution to that.
Just cut your pieces all to the left of the line if you measured left to right....then once you cut your last piece take it and cut it again to the right of the pencil mark.
@@LSatch I used 3/4" conduit. On the first one, I hammered one end flat and bolted it to the back of the birdhouse, but now I use a threaded flange that screws onto one end of the conduit and bolts on to the bottom of the bird house. Be sure to use a conduit that does not rust, so cats can't climb it!
So that’s why they are so picky! That house has been up for over 2 years. It has it’s first bluebird family in it right now. Three eggs should be hatching any day now.
@@LSatch: My houses for the first time in 3 years are now empty of Bluebirds and Swallows and full of House Sparrows. What changed? The neighbors began feeding the Sparrows. All the nests come down next week, never to be replaced. 😮💨
@@notsohandytim5090 what a bummer! I have seen blue bird houses that are supposed to exclude sparrows. They have a hardware clothe thing at the entrance. Google it and see if you can figure out a way to modify your houses.
@@LSatch: Well I've been looking for ideas now for quite some time. I haven't really found a design that has me convinced. I used to be able to off the male early in the season and that would be the end of it. But now that option is gone. I wish I could interview the Bluebirds to see what they would fight hard for, and the Sparrows to see what simply won't work for them. A lot of it depends on the immediate environment, which has swung in favor of the Sparrow where I live. As for the Swallow, there may still more I can do to help them prevail. 🤔
I do show the book at 41 seconds. 102 bird houses and feeders you can make. There is also a link to this bird house in the description. Sorry you missed it. Thanks for watching.
A tree is probably the worst mounting location. Snakes, cats etc. Blue birds actually like to be in open fields, with s nearby tree for an outpost, best on a post with predictor safety wrapping, like pvc or metal piping.
Never, never mount a box on a tree! Squirrels, coons, snakes, insects will get into nest box. Place on 1/2 inch conduit pipe 5feet high with a stove pipe baffle on pole. As a predator guard.
Nagh. All of our nest boxes are mounted on tree trunks & we have both Blue Birds & Nuthatches nesting in them. Every year, year after year. I also have them higher than recommended & never clean. Each year we have multiple pairs using & hatching out youngsters. If you use the right hole & dimensions for BB they are more apt to use.
@@LSatch that is good but houses really need to be on poles with a proper predator baffle to keep the snakes and raccoons from the getting the babies/eggs- but i do thank you for your videos
I'm sure the House Sparrows will love that box....that is after they kill the Bluebirds already living in there. Dude, you have no provision to keep the House Sparrows OUT.
Thanks for watching. I’m open to suggestions. I was hoping to find the answer on your UA-cam channel but you have no content. I’m open to suggestions on how to keep the house sparrows out. So far only a brown headed nuthatch has raised a brood using it. Besides, this isn’t my design all I did was for follow the dimensions from the University of Kentucky, www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/AppalFor/birds.html
Looks like you're glad you found me so you could bash me. Look, I didn't invent this design, I just show how to build it. Yes, so will snakes and racoons and lots of other critters. So I'm not sure what you want from this video.
Love the leather hinges!😊
@@AnnewithanA73 thank you.
So glad to have found you.
Thanks
I just built one of these boxes and with in 20 minutes we had a nesting pair checking it out, time will tell if they move in. Thanks for sharing!
That's awesome George! Sounds like perfect timing.
Was the Rent to high or the 2 months deposit!!!
Sparrows also like bluebird houses. We have three and two usually have sparrows living in them. The bluebirds have the one that faces east like they enjoy. They have returned for two years. I love seeing them.
Yes they do. I’ve got a brown-headed nuthatch in the one I built. Our bluebirds didn’t stick around this year. I had three boxes with them but after their first hatch they left.
Loved the leather hinge idea!
Thanks. Use what you got. Plus it looks cool.
I am so happy that I found your video. I looked for your mom's book
by Hi Sibley | Jan 1, 1980) I just bought it. Only $5.95 I make houses but always wanted to make other items such as feeders and possibly nesting boxes. I LOVE how you did this one. I can't wait for my new (old) book. We are old school and appreciate our feathered friends. I have enough wood (and trees) to make dozens I have a new
Cherokee Rose that’s awesome! Thanks so much for the nice comment. I’m glad you found the book, I had no idea it was still available, hope you enjoy it. The birds are going to love you.
I like the way you show how easy it can be to make the feeders and houses. I really like your videos.
Thank you. I really appreciate the kind words and feedback. Happy birding
I found these plans and made this birdhouse this past weekend with some modifications. I used the nail hinge idea from the traditional birdhouse, same plans, and have the left side swing up to open.
Thanks for watching and sharing. I hope someone moves in soon.
Everyone should square up the end. Great point.
Thanks for watching
Outstanding video, man.Thanks for your time.Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you, much appreciated
Larry, really enjoy your channel, and your easy way of communicating. Good work. 👍🏻
Thank you. I really appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to comment.
Larry, thank you for a great video. I made my first one today. The second will be better. Thanks again.
You’re welcome, thanks for watching and sharing your feedback. Good luck with the second one
Nice hinges!
Thank you. I like them too.
Love the leather belt hinge idea!
Thank you 🙏
I just made one for my dad for Father's Day. I'm not a woodworker but it turned out great. Thanks!
That is awesome! I’m sure he’ll be pleased. Thanks for sharing. Larry
To be more accurate on my cuts I just scribe two lines with a 1/16" gap between them. Then I just make sure the saw blade cuts between the two lines. Thanks for the info.
Great tip thanks for sharing. Happy woodworking and birding.
I've only had tree swallows nesting in my backyard birdhouses for 12 years or so. Bluebirds always check them out early spring but never settled in until this summer. The tree swallows fledged and now bluebirds moved in next door (another peterson house 20 feet away in same backyard. Peeked at the chicks today, doing well.
I had a nuthatch in this one this year. Same here, bluebirds in the Peterson house.
I was just reading about tree swallows using bluebird boxes last night. They suggested putting two bluebird boxes near each other. One for the swallows and one for the bluebirds. Bluebirds are very territorial so usually you should put them at least 300’ apart but according to this article, that’s for other bluebirds and not swallows. Here is the link,
www.treeswallowprojects.com/tresvsbb.html
“It is impossible to design a swallow-proof bluebird box because swallows are so
much smaller and slimmer than bluebirds. However, there is one proven technique
that allows both songbirds to nest together successfully. This is "pairing;"
setting up pairs of boxes, with each box of a pair no more than 5-10 feet apart.
Since Tree Swallows seldom allow another pair of swallows to nest within 10 feet, the
second box is usually free for bluebird use and the two species can co-exist, after some
initial squabbling to sort out who gets which box.”
@@LSatch Interesting, thanks. Will give that a shot this spring.
I built a little bitty bird house last year, first time. I have a family of eastern Bluebirds nesting in it. Two babies and one egg. I love watching them. I’m going to try and train them to eat out of my hand if they return next year.
@@jamesmcconnell8556 that’s fantastic. I hope you can get them to eat out of your hand, that would be awesome.
Nice job. I learned by watching. thanks.
Thank you for watching, glad you liked it.
Ever thought about using a Brad nailer for construction instead of nails? I have used that method for years and working well and can use more without splitting wood. Good either way.
I have a Brad nailer but wanted to show you can make it without a lot of tools. Thanks for watching
Would of made the front panel small enough to fit between the 2 side panels, then make the bottom panel small enough for the front panel to over lap it. Then you would only need 2 screws at the top of the front panel to hinge it. Bend a nail over the front panel at the bottom as a latch and done. Then you wouldn't need a screw driver to check the bird house every time for that would be a pain.
Great point. You would need to make the sides wider to keep the floor space the same
@@LSatch I make the bottom slab 4"x 4" so that works perfect using 1" x 6" lumber.. So the front panel would 4" wide as well. Everything else would be 5 1/2" wide. This works for all birds that are about bluebird size. I always drilled a hole but the kentucky style looks easier to build and i going to try it. I want to build some for my kids to use since they have there own homes with no bird houses. Next I might also try to install some cameras but haven't figured how I want to do it yet. I have a few bird houses in Wifi range of the house.
@@lloydbrannan1002 sounds great. Funny thing is, this house got eaten up by termites and is sitting on my workbench in a heap. I’ve been planning on a re-build and will definitely use your advice. And, I just finished a promotional video of a bird house with a camera. If you already have a small security camera you will easily convert it to a house with a camera. I’ll be posting it soon
@@LSatch I forgot to mention I use treated lumber and put them on a 3/4" pole with a stove pipe baffle so it would be hard for termites to eat it along with other things. I also use a piece of wood at the bottom of the pole to keep the pole straight when burying it in the ground. It also make it easier to relocate it rather then concreting it into the ground.
Leather is a great idea.
Thanks for watching. I like the rustic look of the leather too.
Yes, Larry!
Not many bird house builders realized why their products does not meet the sizes - missing cutting width!
Thanks for commenting. You’re right, size matters when building nesting boxes and those saw blade widths catch up in the end.
Bet he could make some awesome bat houses too.
Sounds like a great idea. The to-do list is long but I’ll add it
Great video ...
Thanks, your feedback is much appreciated.
- Thanx 4 sharing. Enjoyed the video.
lady kenja thank you for watching and the nice comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Larry
Kentucky Style is an outhouse without the moon opening to allow for more air flow. LOL
I put a bird feeder up last year, but the squirrels enjoyed it more than the birds. I need to find a solution to that.
Leisurely Logan you’re right, I don’t know what I was thinking, I should have embellished it with a moon. We have fat squirrels too.
A BB GUN COMES TO MIND? Just kidding! 😀 Great video! Do you have any plans for Purple Martin houses?
If the feeder is on a pole, you can add a swinging baffle a few feet of the ground. Like an upside down cone , stops squirrels and snakes.
@@jamesmcconnell8556 Not if the squirrels drop in from above.
Just cut your pieces all to the left of the line if you measured left to right....then once you cut your last piece take it and cut it again to the right of the pencil mark.
Thanks, sounds like a pro tip! Much appreciated
Instead of tree or post that snakes or cats can mess with, I like to use metal conduit.
Drive it in the ground, use a step ladder if needed.
That’s a great idea. What size conduit do you use?
@@LSatch I used 3/4" conduit. On the first one, I hammered one end flat and bolted it to the back of the birdhouse, but now I use a threaded flange that screws onto one end of the conduit and bolts on to the bottom of the bird house. Be sure to use a conduit that does not rust, so cats can't climb it!
@@thangknowa2567 I’m going to do that. Thanks
You can also use a sheet metal guard shaped like a slight cone with the edges pointing down. ...like the rat guards that are used on palm trees.
@@PPMOCRG great idea. Thanks
Be sure that your inside nesting width and roof pitch angles are spot on, cause the bluebirds have a copy of the building codes. 🤣
So that’s why they are so picky! That house has been up for over 2 years. It has it’s first bluebird family in it right now. Three eggs should be hatching any day now.
@@LSatch: My houses for the first time in 3 years are now empty of Bluebirds and Swallows and full of House Sparrows. What changed? The neighbors began feeding the Sparrows. All the nests come down next week, never to be replaced. 😮💨
@@notsohandytim5090 what a bummer! I have seen blue bird houses that are supposed to exclude sparrows. They have a hardware clothe thing at the entrance. Google it and see if you can figure out a way to modify your houses.
@@LSatch: Well I've been looking for ideas now for quite some time. I haven't really found a design that has me convinced. I used to be able to off the male early in the season and that would be the end of it. But now that option is gone. I wish I could interview the Bluebirds to see what they would fight hard for, and the Sparrows to see what simply won't work for them. A lot of it depends on the immediate environment, which has swung in favor of the Sparrow where I live. As for the Swallow, there may still more I can do to help them prevail. 🤔
@@notsohandytim5090 good luck. Google search brings up lots of options but I’m sure you’ve already visited them
Great video, thanks
Glad you liked it!
You could say the name of the book. Show it to the camera.
I do show the book at 41 seconds. 102 bird houses and feeders you can make. There is also a link to this bird house in the description. Sorry you missed it. Thanks for watching.
Is it okay to install the in a tree? I’ve heard people recommend using a pole instead. That way predators can’t get to the babies (if you use a pole).
It’s not best to mount it on a tree. Since making this video I have moved it to a pole, ua-cam.com/video/OoODl9xTaKk/v-deo.html
Thanks for watching
The back plate board should have been under roof lid to keep water from running inside of the birdhouse
Maybe so, I just followed the plans. FYI, there is a brood of 4 nuthatch babies in it right now ready to fledge any day now. Thanks for watching
What kind of wood was that? It seems to have come 'distressed' ?
It was worm infested pine. I got it from a sawyer for cheap several years ago
Everything was good, till you mounted the house on a Tree, racoons, snakes buffet but you moved it to a pole, great.
Thanks
A tree is probably the worst mounting location. Snakes, cats etc. Blue birds actually like to be in open fields, with s nearby tree for an outpost, best on a post with predictor safety wrapping, like pvc or metal piping.
Fixed, ua-cam.com/video/OoODl9xTaKk/v-deo.html
Thanks, I learned a lot since this early video.
You got enough wood to last from now on Larry.
Have you been talking to my wife? 😂
Could you give the dimensions for your cuts please.
Sorry, I just saw this comment. Try this, it's where I found the plans
www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/AppalFor/birds.html
Never, never mount a box on a tree! Squirrels, coons, snakes, insects will get into nest box. Place on 1/2 inch conduit pipe 5feet high with a stove pipe baffle on pole. As a predator guard.
Great advice, did this
ua-cam.com/video/OoODl9xTaKk/v-deo.html
Thanks for watching and commenting
Nagh. All of our nest boxes are mounted on tree trunks & we have both Blue Birds & Nuthatches nesting in them. Every year, year after year. I also have them higher than recommended & never clean. Each year we have multiple pairs using & hatching out youngsters. If you use the right hole & dimensions for BB they are more apt to use.
it was a good video till you put the box on a tree- all this will do is feed snakes and racoons
It hasn’t so far. No bluebirds used it but a nuthatch raised two broods in last summer.
@@LSatch that is good but houses really need to be on poles with a proper predator baffle to keep the snakes and raccoons from the getting the babies/eggs- but i do thank you for your videos
I'm sure the House Sparrows will love that box....that is after they kill the Bluebirds already living in there. Dude, you have no provision to keep the House Sparrows OUT.
Thanks for watching. I’m open to suggestions. I was hoping to find the answer on your UA-cam channel but you have no content. I’m open to suggestions on how to keep the house sparrows out. So far only a brown headed nuthatch has raised a brood using it. Besides, this isn’t my design all I did was for follow the dimensions from the University of Kentucky,
www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/AppalFor/birds.html
Obviously he is trying to help Bluebirds. Try giving constructive criticism, dude.
@@moxee33 thanks for your support and research, much appreciated.
Sparrows will kill bluebirds IF they can get into the box. Do your homework.
Looks like you're glad you found me so you could bash me. Look, I didn't invent this design, I just show how to build it. Yes, so will snakes and racoons and lots of other critters. So I'm not sure what you want from this video.