Here in this southeastern back yard, the Bluebirds never left, they over-wintered as our accommodations provided them well through a frigid winter season. Live mealworms were (and still are) fed daily, and bird baths remained heated throughout winter months. Lots of roosting spots, including several bluebird houses helped them keep warm at night.

Although wood is always good for most bird houses, over time it tends to weather and rot… which is not so good for prospective tenants. On the other hand, vinyl houses (like the kind people live in) pretty much last forever.

There’s a new breed of bluebird houses crafted to do just that… last forever! Architectural Bluebird Houses in white vinyl are an attractive and affordable alternative if replacing old nest boxes. Since they’re hand made (in the USA) there’s always a color choice for the roof too. Exterior grade plywood is covered in a coated aluminum to provide durability beyond compare. Roofs are available in bronze (shown here), verdigris and hammered copper options. With meticulous construction, and inert materials, these vinyl bluebird houses will last a lifetime, hosting many successful broods over the years.

One other thing on bluebird houses: as a rule of thumb, houses should be placed in open areas, at least one hundred feet apart, as bluebirds are quite territorial. But if there is competition from swallows or other birds for the same house, placing another nest box about ten to fifteen feet apart will in many cases, make both parties happy!