Cedar Bluebird & Chickadee Nest Box
$68
Handcrafted from 7/8" rot-resistant Western Red Cedar with predator guard entrance and easy-clean side latch.
- Dimensions14.5" H × 7.25" W × 8" D (1.5" hole)
- MaterialsPremium Rough-Sawn Western Red Cedar, Stainless Steel Hardware
- Warranty5-Year Craftsmanship Guarantee
Built in Texas. Turnkey field delivery and installation available statewide.
Overview
Eastern and Western Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice are all secondary cavity nesters: they cannot excavate their own holes and depend entirely on woodpecker cavities, natural rot pockets, or a nest box. Across much of Texas those natural cavities have been steadily removed by fence line clearing and dead tree removal, which is precisely why a box programme produces such an immediate, documentable response.
Designed specifically to biological specifications for Eastern and Western Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees, and Tufted Titmice. Includes ventilation slots, drainage floor, and climb ladders inside for fledglings.
How this counts toward your 1-d-1 wildlife valuation
Nest boxes are the single most cost-effective way to satisfy the Providing Shelters activity. Unlike brush management or erosion work, boxes are inexpensive, immediately verifiable by an appraisal district inspector, and produce visible results in the first nesting season.
This item supports:
- Providing Shelters
- Making Census Counts
Texas requires at least three of the seven qualifying wildlife management activities. Highlighted below are the ones this product contributes to:
- Habitat Control
- Erosion Control
- Predator Control
- Providing Supplemental Supplies of Water
- Providing Supplemental Supplies of Food
- Providing Shelters
- Making Census Counts
Qualification is determined by your county Central Appraisal District, and intensity standards vary by ecoregion and property size. Nothing here is tax or legal advice. Confirm your specific activity mix with a certified wildlife biologist before filing.
Placement and density
- Mount boxes 5 to 6 feet above ground on a free-standing pole or metal T-post rather than on a tree or fence line. Poles can be fitted with a predator baffle; trees cannot.
- Face entrance holes north or east. A west-facing hole takes the full force of Texas afternoon sun and can overheat a brood.
- Space bluebird boxes at least 100 yards apart. Bluebirds are territorial and closer spacing leaves boxes unoccupied, which weakens your documentation.
- Pair boxes 15 to 25 feet apart where swallows compete with bluebirds. The pair is typically split between the two species instead of standing empty.
- A useful working density for documentation is one box per 10 to 20 acres, with a practical minimum of six boxes on a small tract.
Annual maintenance
Clean boxes out between late January and mid-February, before the first bluebird clutch. Remove old nesting material, check the predator guard is still seated, and re-tighten the mounting hardware. Photograph each box with a date stamp during the cleanout; that photo set is the evidence your appraisal district will want to see if the valuation is ever questioned.
Log the date, box number, GPS coordinate, species observed and clutch count. Nest box monitoring also generates the observation data that supports the Making Census Counts activity, which means one purchase can underpin two of your three required activities.
Full specifications
| Price | $68 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.5" H × 7.25" W × 8" D (1.5" hole) |
| Materials | Premium Rough-Sawn Western Red Cedar, Stainless Steel Hardware |
| Category | Avian & Nesting |
| Qualifying activity | Supplemental Shelter (1-d-1 Wildlife Exemption) |
| Warranty | 5-Year Craftsmanship Guarantee |
Common questions
What size entrance hole does a Texas bluebird box need?
A 1.5 inch hole. This admits Eastern and Western Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees and Titmice while excluding European Starlings, which cannot pass an opening under about 1.55 inches. Enlarging the hole is the most common mistake made with a bluebird box and it hands the box to starlings.
How many nest boxes do I need to qualify for a wildlife exemption?
There is no statewide minimum. The requirement is that the activity is conducted to a degree of intensity appropriate for your region and property size. One box per 10 to 20 acres, with at least six boxes on a small tract, is a widely accepted working benchmark. Your county appraisal district and your wildlife biologist set the final expectation.
Should the box be mounted on a tree or a post?
A free-standing post, every time. Posts accept a predator baffle that stops rat snakes, raccoons and cats. A tree-mounted box is effectively a feeding station for climbing predators and can reduce local nesting success.
When should I clean out the box?
Between late January and mid-February, ahead of the first clutch. Remove the old nest entirely, check the predator guard and hardware, and photograph the box with a date stamp for your annual report.
Pairs well with
Need the plan, not just the gear?
Plateau Products supplies the equipment. Wildlife management plans, appraisal district filings and biologist consultations are handled by our sister company, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, which has filed thousands of Texas wildlife management plans since 1997. Request an assessment and we will route you to the right team.