What direction should you face a bluebird box?

When putting up a bluebird box, one of the most important considerations is which direction the entrance hole should face. The ideal direction to face a bluebird box depends on several factors, including your location, prevailing winds, and amount of shade. With some strategic planning, you can determine the best direction to maximize bluebird occupancy and reproductive success.

Face the Entrance East or Southeast

Experts generally recommend facing bluebird box entrances to the east or southeast. An east-facing entrance offers some key benefits:

• Early sun – A box facing east will get early morning sun, helping to warm the interior and dry out any moisture from the previous night.
• Shade – Since the box only gets morning sun, it will be shaded from the hot afternoon temperatures in summer.
• Weather protection – East-facing entrances avoid prevailing winds and storms that typically come from the north and west.

A southeast entrance orientation provides many of the same benefits. The slight shift from due east helps minimize overheating while still allowing ample morning sunlight.

Consider Your Climate and Location

While east or southeast is ideal, you may need to tweak the direction based on your specific location and climate. Here are some factors to take into account:

• Predominant weather patterns – If summer storms and winds come from a certain direction, face the box away from the prevailing winds.
• Sun patterns – Watch the path of the sun across your property. Avoid too much afternoon sun on the box.
• Shade trees – Make use of shade from nearby trees, but don’t allow branches to hang directly over the box.
• Terrain – Use hills and slopes to shelter the box from wind and bad weather.

Adjusting for these factors can help you narrow down the optimal entrance direction.

Other Directions to Consider

In some situations, other directions besides east may be appropriate for your bluebird box:

• North – A north-facing entrance works well on hot southern exposures. It will receive more shade and less intense sun.
• South – Southern entrances allow maximum sun exposure, helping to keep the box warm in cold northern climates.
• West – Westward openings provide afternoon shade while still getting plenty of warming from morning and midday sun.

Be careful with western exposures – while they work in some areas, afternoon sun can overheat boxes in warmer climates.

Aim for Morning Sun and Afternoon Shade

As a general rule of thumb, the ideal direction provides morning sun to warm the box but afternoon shade to prevent overheating. Here are two examples to illustrate:

Southern Exposure

If the box location has a mostly southern exposure, choose a direction that receives morning sun but afternoon shade:

• Southeast – Gets early sun but avoids hot late day sun from the west
• East – Warm morning sun then shaded in the afternoon
• Northeast – Early sun and shaded from southern sun later

Northern Exposure

For sites with a northern orientation, prioritize directions that maximize midday and afternoon sun:

• South – Receives the most sun exposure throughout the day
• Southwest – Warm early afternoon sun
• West – Shaded morning but gets sun during the hottest part of the day

Pay close attention to sunlight patterns and shade from trees and structures throughout the day. Choosing the right direction can make a big difference in bluebird productivity.

Mount the Box on a Pole

To provide the most suitable orientation, mount your bluebird box on a free-standing pole. Pole mounting makes it easy to adjust direction without being constrained by trees or buildings. Aim for these placement tips:

• Use a metal pole or sturdy, pressure-treated 4×4 wood post.
• Embed the pole at least 3 feet into the ground for stability.
• Face the box entrance in the desired direction.
• Angle the box slightly downwards for drainage.
• Add predator baffles to discourage climbing animals.

With an isolated pole, you can ensure proper orientation, drainage, safety from predators, and easy access for monitoring and cleaning the box.

When to Avoid Pole Mounting

Pole mounting isn’t always feasible or preferred. Some situations where other mounting options may work better include:

• Urban and suburban areas – Cats may be able to jump to the box from roofs and fences.
• Areas with deer – Deer can sometimes dislodge pole-mounted boxes.
• Sandy or loose soil – Makes it hard to firmly anchor the pole.
• HoA rules or aesthetic concerns – Pole boxes stand out in the landscape.
• Rental properties – May not allow digging and installing poles.

In these cases, consider mounting the bluebird box on a building, mature tree, or sturdy fence post instead.

Alternative Mounting Options

If pole mounting won’t work, here are some other ways to mount your bluebird box:

Tree Mount

• Use thick, rough-barked trees like oak or hickory.
• Face away from prevailing winds and afternoon sun.
• Mount box on east or southeast side of tree if possible.
• Place box at eye level for easy monitoring.
• Add predator baffle below the box.

Building or Fence Mount

• Choose eastern or southeastern walls if feasible.
• Face entrance away from prevailing winds.
• Mount under eaves or roof overhangs for shade.
• Place 5-6 feet off ground with baffles to deter predators.

Get as close as possible to the ideal orientation while also keeping the box safe from predators when using alternative mounting options.

Maintain Proper Orientation

Over time, the direction your bluebird box faces may shift due to things like loose pole attachments, leaning fence posts, or growing branches. To keep your bluebirds happy and healthy:

• Check the box orientation at least annually.
• Make any needed adjustments to realign the entrance.
• Clear vegetation that may block sun exposure.
• Reinforce loose mounting structures.
• Rotate or replace deteriorating posts or poles.

With periodic maintenance checks, you can preserve the proper orientation for successful bluebird nesting over many seasons.

Watch For Overheating Issues

Improper box orientation can sometimes lead to overheating problems. Watch for these signs of overheating:

• Dead nestlings
• Overheated adults panting inside the box on hot days
• Cracked or warped box materials
• Drooping, lethargic behavior
• Abandonment of nests during summer

If you notice any of these issues, take steps to provide more shade such as adding a shade board, repositioning the box, or changing the direction it faces. Proper orientation goes a long way in preventing overheated boxes.

Use Multiple Boxes

To increase your chances of a box being occupied, try installing pairs of boxes in different orientations. For example:

• Face one box southeast and the other northeast.
• Position two boxes with eastern and western exposures.
• Mount boxes on different sides of a pole or tree.

Offering differently oriented options allows bluebirds to select the nesting site with conditions they prefer.

Follow the Ideal Box Specifications

Proper orientation alone isn’t always enough to attract nesting bluebirds. Make sure your box also meets these ideal specifications:

Meeting these standards will give your properly oriented bluebird box the best chances of attracting nesting pairs.

Conclusion

Facing a bluebird box in the proper direction significantly improves the odds of attracting bluebird residents. An east or southeast entrance orientation provides ideal conditions with morning sun to warm the box while avoiding overheating from afternoon rays. Adjusting for local conditions like weather patterns, sunlight availability, and terrain can help refine the best direction. Regularly checking and realigning the box entrance ensures proper orientation is maintained over time. Along with appropriate box specifications and mounting options, optimal entrance direction is key to bluebird nesting success.