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10 Best Bluebird Houses for 2026

Updated onOctober 23, 2026
Three weathered cedar bluebird nest boxes with round entrance holes mounted on a post at a grassy field edge

The WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird House is the best overall pick for most setups. Choose Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird House for easy seasonal cleanout, NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird House for flexible nesting, NC Birdguy Copper Roof Duplex for duplex nesting, or DutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird House for pole mounting. Also consider SISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird House, Cedar Bird House Predator Guard, ColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird Houses, Auslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird House and SISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for Outside.

Entrance size, interior dimensions, predator protection and cleaning access decide the choice. Eastern bluebird boxes use a 1.5-inch round hole, and a hole of 1 9/16 inches or smaller keeps out European starlings.

Floor size depends on the species. Western bluebird boxes use a 5 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch floor, while eastern boxes commonly run 4-by-4 or 5-by-5 inches.

The comparison table below lists entrance hole, material and clean-out access for each pick.

Our top picks for bluebird houses

  • Best Overall: WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird House: built for bluebirders who want a cedar nest box with predator guards
  • Best for Seasonal Cleanout: Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird House: suited to backyard bluebird nesting and seasonal clean-out
  • Best for Flexible Nesting: NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird House: a durable, decorative post-mounted house for buyers who want one that lasts
Contents show
1 Best Bluebird Houses Picks
2 WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird House
3 Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird House
4 NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird House
5 NC Birdguy Copper Roof Duplex
6 DutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird House
7 SISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird House
8 Cedar Bird House Predator Guard
9 ColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird Houses
10 Auslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird House
11 SISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for Outside
12 Bluebird Houses: Key Specs Side by Side
13 Frequently Asked Questions
13.1 How high should I mount a bluebird house?
13.2 Should a bluebird house have a perch?
13.3 When should I put up and clean a bluebird house?
13.4 How do I keep House Sparrows out of a bluebird house?
13.5 Do Western and Mountain Bluebirds need different entrance hole sizes?
14 Conclusion
15 Sources

Best Bluebird Houses Picks

WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird HouseWHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird HouseBest OverallEntrance Hole: 1.5 inMaterial: 3/4-in cedarClean-Out Access: Bottom-hinged doorVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird HouseNature’s Way Cedar Bluebird HouseBest for Seasonal CleanoutEntrance Hole: 1.5 in guard; 1.5625 in bodyMaterial: Cedar; rust-resistant hardwareClean-Out Access: Hinged side access panelVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird HouseNC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird HouseBest for Flexible NestingEntrance Hole: 1.5 inMaterial: Cellular PVCClean-Out Access: Quick-release copper roofVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
NC Birdguy Copper Roof DuplexNC Birdguy Copper Roof DuplexBest for Duplex NestingEntrance Hole: 1.5 in (two holes)Material: Cellular PVC; copper roofClean-Out Access: Quick-release removable roofVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
DutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird HouseDutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird HouseBest for Pole MountingEntrance Hole: 1.5 inMaterial: Cedar wood; PVC bodyClean-Out Access: Removable baseVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
SISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird HouseSISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird HouseBest for DIY AssemblyEntrance Hole: 1-1/2 inMaterial: Untreated, unpainted cedarClean-Out Access: Opening front doorVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Cedar Bird House Predator GuardCedar Bird House Predator GuardBest for Multiple SpeciesEntrance Hole: 1.5 inMaterial: Cedar woodClean-Out Access: Front-opening doorVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
ColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird HousesColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird HousesBest for Thick WoodEntrance Hole: 1-1/2 inMaterial: Natural woodClean-Out Access: Front door with latchVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Auslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird HouseAuslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird HouseBest for Ready-to-Hang UseEntrance Hole: 1.57 inMaterial: Cedar woodClean-Out Access: Swivel back doorVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
SISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for OutsideSISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for OutsideBest for Guarded Cedar PairsEntrance Hole: 1-1/2 inMaterial: Untreated, unpainted cedarClean-Out Access: Opening front doorVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis

More Details on Our Top Picks

  1. WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird House

    WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird House

    Best Overall

    View Latest Price

    Bluebirders who want an all-round cedar box with predator guards should start here. This box is built to keep squirrels, woodpeckers, cats, and raccoons away from the nest. The 1.5-inch entry hole suits Eastern Bluebirds, and the 4.25 by 3.5-inch floor gives 15 square inches of nest space. A stainless-steel guard protects the entry hole, and a 1-inch wooden guard adds a second barrier.

    The 3/4-inch cedar walls and bottom-hinged door make cleanout simple, and owners praise the craftsmanship. Owners recommend priming and painting the box for added weather protection. One owner could not confirm long-term durability before use. Owners also report prompt, helpful customer support.

    Pros: Owner called it well-made and attractive (2025) · Owner praised craftsmanship and cedar quality (2025) · Owner reported prompt, helpful customer support (2025).

    Cons: Owner recommended priming and painting for added weather protection (2025) · Owner could not confirm long-term durability before use (2025).

    Skip it if: you want to hang the box without finishing it, since priming and painting should come before hanging.

    • Entrance Hole:1.5 in
    • Interior Dimensions:4.25 × 3.5 in; depth null
    • Material:3/4-in cedar
    • Predator Guard:Steel and 1-in wood guards
    • Clean-Out Access:Bottom-hinged door
    • Ventilation & Drainage:Angled vents; floor drain holes
    • Fledgling Footholds:Fledging kerfs
  2. Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird House

    Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird House

    Best for Seasonal Cleanout

    View Latest Price

    The hinged side panel makes seasonal cleanout easy for backyard bluebird keepers. Opening the hinged side panel lets you pull out old nesting material and inspect the interior without taking the box down. Wall and floor ventilation keeps air moving through the box. Owners praise the build quality, and one reviewer reported bluebirds using it.

    Pole or flush mounting both work, and the cedar body with rust-resistant hardware holds up outdoors. The elongated entrance shield keeps predators back from eggs and nestlings, and interior kerfs give fledglings a grip near the exit. One owner noted it is not made in the United States, so that matters if domestic manufacturing is a priority for you.

    What to check: Measure the 7.88 x 5.19 x 12 inch exterior against the spot where you plan to mount it.

    Pros: Owners praised build quality · One owner found the clean-out panel handy · One reviewer reported bluebirds using the box.

    Cons: One owner complained it was not made in the United States · No owner-reported product weakness found in the reviewed feedback.

    Skip it if: you need a box made in the United States, since one owner reports it isn’t made there.

    • Entrance Hole:1.5 in guard; 1.5625 in body
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Cedar; rust-resistant hardware
    • Predator Guard:Elongated entrance guard
    • Clean-Out Access:Hinged side access panel
    • Ventilation & Drainage:Wall and floor ventilation
    • Fledgling Footholds:Built-in fledgling kerfs
  3. NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird House

    NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird House

    Best for Flexible Nesting

    View Latest Price

    Fits owners who want one post-mounted house that can serve either one larger nesting space or two separate chambers. The removable divider creates two chambers or one larger space, depending on whether you keep it in. Both entrances are 1.5-inch holes, and owners report bluebirds moved in. The body is cellular PVC, which the maker describes as rot-resistant.

    A quick-release roof for cleanout lets you reach the inside each season. The roof is genuine copper, and owners praise how the house looks. Mounts come in several post sizes, and a custom size is built from your dimensions. Owners say it costs more than similar houses, so it suits buyers who value copper and PVC construction.

    Pros: Bluebirds moved in · Roof and divider detach for cleaning.

    Cons: It costs more than similar houses.

    Skip it if: the lowest price matters most, since this one costs more than similar houses.

    • Entrance Hole:1.5 in
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Cellular PVC
    • Predator Guard:—
    • Clean-Out Access:Quick-release copper roof
    • Ventilation & Drainage:Built-in ventilation and drainage
    • Fledgling Footholds:—
  4. NC Birdguy Copper Roof Duplex

    NC Birdguy Copper Roof Duplex

    Best for Duplex Nesting

    View Latest Price

    Unlike the Auslar, this box suits bird watchers who want duplex nesting in one post-mounted house. The house has two 1.5-inch entrances and a removable divider that creates two chambers or one larger space. Owners describe it as well-built and attractive.

    The mount is configured for a 4 x 4-inch post, and you can send your dimensions after ordering for a custom fit. The body is cellular PVC that resists rot, cracking, splitting, and fading, and the quick-release roof lifts off for seasonal cleaning. The two 1.5-inch entrances may not suit every bluebird species in your area. An owner reports bluebirds found the house quickly, and another reports the roof and divider detach easily for cleaning.

    Pros: Owners describe it as well-built and attractive (2022, 2025) · One owner reports the roof and divider detach easily for cleaning (2022) · An owner reports bluebirds found the house quickly (2026).

    Cons: The two 1.5-inch entrances may not suit every local bluebird species.

    Skip it if: the bluebirds in your area need an entrance other than 1.5 inches.

    • Entrance Hole:1.5 in (two holes)
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Cellular PVC; copper roof
    • Predator Guard:—
    • Clean-Out Access:Quick-release removable roof
    • Ventilation & Drainage:Built-in ventilation and drainage
    • Fledgling Footholds:—
  5. DutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird House

    DutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird House

    Best for Pole Mounting

    View Latest Price

    Bluebirders who want a pole-mounted box they can open easily will like this Gilbertson-style house. It fits a pole with a 0.5-inch outside diameter, so you’ll need a pole of that size. The 1.5-inch entrance hole suits bluebirds, and the 8-inch deep cavity leaves the nest plenty of room. The cedar and PVC body is designed to look like a birch tree.

    The base removes from the roof, so you can check and clean the nest without taking the box down. Interior grooves give fledglings footholds to climb out. Owners report easy nest checks and a box that lasted over 10 years. The pole isn’t included, and one buyer found the body hard to squeeze back into place.

    What to check: Measure the pole’s outside diameter with calipers, since the box fits only 0.5 inch.

    Pros: Buyers praise its build quality and craftsmanship (2025) · Easy nest checks and cleaning (2024) · A box lasted over 10 years (2024).

    Skip it if: your pole is anything other than 0.5-inch outside diameter, since this box fits only that size.

    • Entrance Hole:1.5 in
    • Interior Dimensions:8 in deep cavity
    • Material:Cedar wood; PVC body
    • Predator Guard:—
    • Clean-Out Access:Removable base
    • Ventilation & Drainage:—
    • Fledgling Footholds:Interior grooves
  6. SISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird House

    SISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird House

    Best for DIY Assembly

    View Latest Price

    One buyer described the kit as easy to build, so it may suit families and first-time builders who want DIY assembly. The box is untreated, unpainted cedar with a 1-1/2-inch entrance hole meant for bluebirds, and wrens, tree swallows, and chickadees can use it too. A copper guard wraps the opening to help protect young birds from predators, and buyers praise the materials and design.

    Assembly is required, so plan on a screwdriver and some time before the box goes up. Once fledglings have left, the front door opens for cleaning. Interior grooves act like a small ladder to help young birds climb out, and the untreated cedar can be painted if you want a different finish.

    Pros: A buyer described the kit as easy to build · A buyer praised the materials and design · A buyer said it offered birds a nesting place.

    Cons: Assembly is required · Listing gives no interior floor or cavity-depth measurements.

    Skip it if: you want to hang the box right out of the package, since this kit needs assembly first.

    • Entrance Hole:1-1/2 in
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Untreated, unpainted cedar
    • Predator Guard:Copper entrance guard
    • Clean-Out Access:Opening front door
    • Ventilation & Drainage:—
    • Fledgling Footholds:Interior grooves
  7. Cedar Bird House Predator Guard

    Cedar Bird House Predator Guard

    Best for Multiple Species

    View Latest Price

    Cedar wood with a metal guard suits backyard birders who want multiple species in one setup. The 1.5-inch entrance suits bluebirds, wrens, and tree swallows, and the metal guard around it helps stop squirrels from enlarging the opening. The box measures 5.7 x 5.7 x 10.2 inches and has a textured carbonized finish that blends into trees and fences. Ventilation openings near the top keep air moving inside.

    Assembly needs only a screwdriver, which keeps the build simple. Open the front-opening door each season to clean out old nesting material, and internal grooves give fledglings footholds to climb toward the hole. Since it ships unassembled, you’ll need to build it before it can go up.

    Skip it if: you want to attract a species that needs a larger entrance than this 1.5-inch hole.

    • Entrance Hole:1.5 in
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Cedar wood
    • Predator Guard:Metal entrance guard
    • Clean-Out Access:Front-opening door
    • Ventilation & Drainage:Top-side ventilation openings
    • Fledgling Footholds:Internal grooves
  8. ColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird Houses

    ColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird Houses

    Best for Thick Wood

    View Latest Price

    Homeowners who want a sturdy, predator-resistant bluebird box made from thick wood will like this two-pack. Each box uses 1.2 cm thick wood, which the maker says adds durability and insulation. A copper predator guard covers the entrance, and the hole suits bluebirds, wrens, tree swallows, and chickadees.

    Only a screwdriver is needed, and screws and a rope come in the set for mounting. A perch pole beside the entrance lets parents stand while they feed chicks, and the wire mesh footholds help fledglings climb. After the young leave, unlatch the front door, clean the box, and reuse both houses next spring. Expect to build both boxes yourself, so finish assembly before nesting season starts.

    Skip it if: you want a box that comes fully built and needs no assembly.

    • Entrance Hole:1-1/2 in
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Natural wood
    • Predator Guard:Copper entrance guard
    • Clean-Out Access:Front door with latch
    • Ventilation & Drainage:—
    • Fledgling Footholds:Interior wire mesh
  9. Auslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird House

    Auslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird House

    Best for Ready-to-Hang Use

    View Latest Price

    This 1.57-inch entrance box suits casual birdwatchers who want a ready-to-hang house with no assembly. A top hook lets you mount it on trees, fences, gates, or patios right out of the box. Its cedar construction is meant for outdoor weather, and owners describe the frame as sturdy. The herringbone shape also makes it a decorative piece near a window or garden.

    There is no assembly; you just hang it and the swivel back door makes cleaning out old nesting material simple. The 80 mm standing foot gives fledglings a place to perch near the entrance. Owners reported nesting soon after installation, but some found the rear door hard to keep closed.

    Pros: Owners described the construction as sturdy · Owners praised the blue roof and appearance · Some owners reported nesting activity soon after installation.

    Cons: Some owners reported difficulty keeping the rear door closed · Some owners wanted more interior space.

    Skip it if: you need more interior room, since some owners wanted more space than this box gives.

    • Entrance Hole:1.57 in
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Cedar wood
    • Predator Guard:—
    • Clean-Out Access:Swivel back door
    • Ventilation & Drainage:Swivel back door
    • Fledgling Footholds:80 mm standing foot
  10. SISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for Outside

    SISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for Outside

    Best for Guarded Cedar Pairs

    View Latest Price

    Guarded cedar pairs suit gardeners who want two bluebird boxes with copper entrance guards. With a 1.5-inch entrance hole, the box draws bluebirds, wrens, tree swallows, and chickadees. A copper guard around the opening is meant to help deter predators. Both boxes are untreated, unpainted cedar, so you can mount them as a pair along a fence or post to start a nesting trail.

    Each house arrives as a kit, so you’ll need a screwdriver to assemble both. After fledging, the front door opens for cleaning, and interior grooves act like a small ladder that helps fledglings climb out. Assembly is the one drawback, so plan to build both houses before nesting season starts.

    Pros: Listing specifies untreated cedar · Copper guard surrounds entrance · Front opens for cleaning.

    Skip it if: you want boxes that arrive assembled, since both houses ship as kits that need a screwdriver.

    • Entrance Hole:1-1/2 in
    • Interior Dimensions:—
    • Material:Untreated, unpainted cedar
    • Predator Guard:Copper entrance guard
    • Clean-Out Access:Opening front door
    • Ventilation & Drainage:—
    • Fledgling Footholds:Interior grooves

Bluebird Houses: Key Specs Side by Side

Here is how the 10 picks line up on entrance hole, material, predator guard, clean-out access and ventilation & drainage. Cells marked with a dash are specs the maker leaves out of its listing.

PickEntrance HoleMaterialPredator GuardClean-Out AccessVentilation & Drainage
WHITEHORSE Cedar Bluebird House1.5 in3/4-in cedarSteel and 1-in wood guardsBottom-hinged doorAngled vents; floor drain holes
Nature’s Way Cedar Bluebird House1.5 in guard; 1.5625 in bodyCedar; rust-resistant hardwareElongated entrance guardHinged side access panelWall and floor ventilation
NC Birdguy Copper Roof Bluebird House1.5 inCellular PVC—Quick-release copper roofBuilt-in ventilation and drainage
NC Birdguy Copper Roof Duplex1.5 in (two holes)Cellular PVC; copper roof—Quick-release removable roofBuilt-in ventilation and drainage
DutchCrafters Gilbertson Bluebird House1.5 inCedar wood; PVC body—Removable base—
SISTERBIRD Cedar Bluebird House1-1/2 inUntreated, unpainted cedarCopper entrance guardOpening front door—
Cedar Bird House Predator Guard1.5 inCedar woodMetal entrance guardFront-opening doorTop-side ventilation openings
ColorfulLaVie Thick Wood Bluebird Houses1-1/2 inNatural woodCopper entrance guardFront door with latch—
Auslar Hanging Wooden Bluebird House1.57 inCedar wood—Swivel back doorSwivel back door
SISTERBIRD 2 Pack Bluebird Houses for Outside1-1/2 inUntreated, unpainted cedarCopper entrance guardOpening front door—
Bluebird Houses compared

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should I mount a bluebird house?

Mount an Eastern Bluebird box 3 to 6 feet above the ground. Western Bluebird boxes go a little higher, at 4 to 6 feet, so a 4-to-6-foot spot works for either species. Space Eastern boxes at least 300 feet apart.

Should a bluebird house have a perch?

A perch is optional; some boxes, like the ColorfulLaVie, include one for parents to stand on while feeding chicks. Instead, look for a box that opens for monitoring and has ventilation and drainage features. Those features let you check the nest and keep air moving through the box.

When should I put up and clean a bluebird house?

Put the box up before nesting season begins, and clean it after each nesting attempt, once the young have left and the nest is empty. Choose a box that opens for monitoring and has ventilation and drainage features, which makes clearing out old material straightforward.

How do I keep House Sparrows out of a bluebird house?

The hole-size guidance here addresses European starlings, not House Sparrows. A wider or enlarged hole can let starlings in, so never widen the entrance, even slightly.

Do Western and Mountain Bluebirds need different entrance hole sizes?

Yes, but the difference is small. NestWatch lists a 1.5-inch entrance for Western Bluebird boxes and 1 9/16 inches for Mountain Bluebird boxes. Both use a 5 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch floor and 9-inch depth, so the hole is the main difference.

Conclusion

If you’re housing one pair of bluebirds and want the easiest cleaning, pick a single-chamber box with a removable roof or front, so you can reach the nest quickly at the end of the season. If you want two nests on one post, choose a duplex design and keep the divider in place. If you’d rather not assemble anything, skip the kit that needs building. Your next step is to note the post or pole you already have, then shortlist two boxes from this list that fit it and the birds in your yard.

Sources

  1. nestwatch.org (nestwatch.org)
  2. Best Bluebird Houses and Nest Boxes for Eastern Bluebirds (beakandbranch.com, 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z)
  3. nestwatch.org (nestwatch.org)
  4. nestwatch.org (nestwatch.org)
Paul Rettinger
Paul Rettinger

Paul Rettinger has tested bird feeders, poles and baffles in backyards and woodland for twelve years. Seed quality, squirrel resistance and easy cleaning guide every pick, with bird health first.

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