Bird Watching: Birds Nesting 2013 , 1 by Lily_love

Lily_love wrote:
Hi Julie,

Quoting: I was thrilled to see a bluebird checking out our new nest boxes.

. I can recall my first thrills seeing BBs frequenting the new nestbox. In my case, it was my first one. Which was back in 2011. The BBs would come to assess the location and evaluated the safety issues. But the actual nesting didn't take place until the following year. Infact 2012 was my first year hosting them. So be patience, these BBs are gentle birds, but they can defend for themselves.

Quoting: Is this common behavior -...

Julie; As far as Mockingbirds bossing them (BBs and other smaller birds) around. That's because they CAN, it's common for Mockingbirds to try to intimidate dogs-- It happened to mine. When that happens, the dog was ablivious to the aggressor above its head. But no harm done really. It was amusing as heck to the observer. I think territory isn't the issue here. Mockingbirds build their nests among thick shrubery and discrete places. So if they are presence maybe they are duking it out over foods issues--and not competing for nestboxes? I didn't seem to have much problem with Mockers chasing my BBs last year, but just like you. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted a Mockingbird chased one of my bluebirds away from another nestbox that I hung way up high on another tall tree this morning. I think the smart BB was just distracting the Mocker. What I have planned of doing is set out a seeds feeder near where the Mockingbird's juvies were spotted last year, which was NOT anywhere near my Blues nestbox is. Hopefully that will lure the Mockingbirds away from the BBs area. And, when I set out mealworms for BBs and other small song birds. I set them out on this feeder that allows only small birds access to the treats, and keep larger birds like Mockers, and Cardinals away. Hopefully after a while with many unsuccessful attempts at getting to the mealworms, the Mockingbirds will leave the BBs alone.