Bluebird house

We had never even noticed bluebirds on our property before but the beautiful photos on this forum piqued our interest and in the last month have seen a few. Never had any nesting boxes, so we bought a couple. Today, we installed the first one on a piece of conduit pipe. When we finished, we collected our tools and walked about 75 feet to our workshop. I just happened to look back at the newly installed box and could not believe my eyes! There was a pair of bluebirds already checking out the box, looking in the entrance, perching on the roof, etc.!!! They continued inspecting it until a mockingbird landed nearby. Then they moved to the top of a big oak tree and we observed the male and sometimes the female coming back near the box, circling the area off and on for about the next 20 minutes after the mockingbird left the immediate area.

Cannot express how excited we are. I would never have thought they'd find the box so quickly. Just hope the mockingbird doesn't cause them to lose interest.

G

G, I'm having a similiar experience. I'm new at this-- trying to host more nesting birds in the garden. Today I've 3 species of birds checking out one same Nest box. Blue Birds pair are in the competition with Whitebreasted Nuthatch and Carolina Chikadees. I didn't see the Nuthatch went inside the box like the Blue Birds and Chickadees did. I can't wait until tomorrow to find any new development. Not sure which bird family will win out.

We have the little Carolina Chickadees, too, and I hope they will nest in one of the boxes. We are running a little behind getting the boxes put up.

Really a lot for a "newbie" to learn and it is thrilling for us to see more than just the ordinary mockingbirds and sparrows. Our bird population increased dramatically after I started changing our landscape 3 years ago and, without knowing it, put in a lot of things that attract birds and butterflies. We've made some huge blunders along the way, like feeding a mixture this winter labeled for songbirds that contained a lot of millet and milo and attracted a million sparrows. So now it is read, read, read on DG to research all aspects of this, plants, birds, butterflies. Trying to focus on Texas native plants. I was going to cut down the Bradford pear tree in the back yard until I read the birds would eat from it during the winter. Sure enough, once I paid attention I saw how much benefit it was to the birds. Just hadn't noticed that before. So many little details...

G

That is great G !! Please be sure to keep us posted with updates on your houses.

That is great news. You put your box up at just the right time. In this part of the country they are looking in late Feb. Mine start nesting around the middle of March.

Male BB's are territorial and you need at least 100 yards between boxes if you want BB's in both. Keep us posted. BTW, if you want to clinch the deal on your house, start giving them mealworms. Mine are around my patio every morning waiting for breakfast.

No BB thread is complete without a pic of one. This is my male taken March of last year.

Agreed with Red, no BB thread is complete without a pic of one. Papa Blue is soooo handsome!

Is that "yards" or "feet"?

Having lots of trouble with house sparrows this morning. Have plenty of room (5 acres) to spread the nesting boxes out but really struggling with how to place them so as not to harbor sparrows. We've already removed one sparrow nest from up in the eves of our house last week. Big ole' aggressive male and his mate. Same location that sparrows nested last season but we're determined to get the ladder out every time we see one now.

Also, need some tutoring on mealworms.

G

A good website to find out about anything you want to know about BB's is http://www.sialis.org/ . Sparrows are a problem, they are BB killers and that includes eggs, chicks and adults. There is a section about sparrow control on the Sialis site.

Yes, the nests should be 100 yards apart.

This is a a pic of Mama on the little feeder use for mealworms only. I bought it at Hobby Lobby. I buy mealworms for $7/500 at the local Petsmart. Some people raise them and I don't think it would be difficult. BB's can be addicting, They come to know you and are like a part of the family. My male can be on the main road, a quarter-mile away, see me and here he comes. I was even at a neighbors yard one day and he was flying around fussing at me. They neighbor asked what was wrong with that bird, and I replied, "He just wants some worms." I got a really puzzled look and never bothered to explain.

Hi Dogs, I can't remember what Sialis recommends but Bluebird folks (like 2dCousinDave) have some favorite companies for mealworms. Hope there is still not a shortage like there was the other year.

Check the 3rd post in this thread. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/805666/

Well, our day didn't go so well. The obnoxious sparrow pair laid claim to the nestbox early in the day. The male was on and off the roof of the nestbox most of the morning. No bluebirds came near that we observed, but there were several in other areas of our property. The female sparrow made a lot of trips into the box, but there were no nesting materials in it when I opened it late in the afternoon.

We made two more nestboxes using the plans from Texas Bluebird Society, http://www2.texasbluebirdsociety.org . We may have to spend all our time cleaning sparrows out of them but... we can always hope.

Is there anything to do to discourage the sparrows' interest in a particular box that won't at the same time bother the bluebirds?

G

I had a problem with a Mockingbird, who laid claim to my entire yard and managed to chase all other birds off. So I decided to go back to making my own suet, from a recipee I had used from the Sialis website, previously. The suet was described by someone as bird "crack." They were right. The Mockingbird will still dive bomb the feeders, but he is ineffectual at driving birds off. I have a Bluebird nesting house nearby, and I actually saw pappa BB delivering some effective push back to the Mocker who got too near the nest box. Go Pappa BB!!! As far as House Sparrows, I have no advice since I have not had problems with them. Good luck.

After reading a lot on the Sialis site re HOSP, sounds like we should just take the nestboxes down and give up. Very big disappointment and a lot of wasted work but do not want the nestboxes to be traps for bluebirds to be killed by HOSPs.

G

I wouldn't give up that easily. I would have the same problem as you, but because I am pro-active and stubborn, I don't have a sparrow problem. I can't imagine life without my bluebirds anymore.

G, Hosting bluebirds can be a lot of fun. It can even become an obsession. Not only are they attractive, they are such people-friendly birds. But like raising children, there will be times of frustration, disappointment and even heartache. I don't think Bet Zimmerman on her Sialis site in any way implies you should stop supporting the bluebirds. To the contrary, everything she preaches is aimed at bluebird survival. She is merely telling you up front what we all have learned -- some of us the hard way. If you set out to host bluebirds, you MUST start with a plan for HOSP control. And sadly by control we mean elimination. I say this because we do not enjoy this part of hosting. I might interject here that I am an active member of the Virginia Bluebird Society as well as the North American Bluebird Society. While I am probably known in these circles more as a photographer, I do attend their conventions and know a lot of very active bluebird hosts,(including Ms. Zimmerman.) In fact, I have never met a person who hosts bluebirds who enjoyed HOSP control.

The two species are in direct competition. The HOSP are very adaptable as to diet and nesting methods. They nest earlier and mature sooner. They have as many as five nestings a year, whereas in most areas of this country, bluebirds average three. By mid-summer HOSPs have out grown their existing nests and are looking for additional nesting sites. They are smaller than the bluebirds so they can access any opening that a bluebird can.

The bluebird can and will challenge a HOSP when out in the open, but they are instinctively reluctant to face a HOSP in an enclosed space. When bluebirds fight, they do not go toe-to-toe, pecking at each other's head and eyes. They flail around and one usually assumes a defensive position until it gets the opportunity to flee. HOSPs, on the other hand, grab and hold, and use their bill, which is much harder than that of most birds, to peck out the eyes of their opponent. The fight usually lasts only 10 seconds or so and is always deadly. To my knowledge no bluebird has EVER killed a HOSP in a fight. My own male bluebird that had nested in my yard for many years was trapped and killed in an empty box two years ago. It was very upsetting and I dealt with a guilty feeling for some time. I am tempted to post a picture of him but it is too graphic. If you wish to see pictures, click on this link:

http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/Eastern-Bluebirds/Papas-corpse-WARNNG-graphic/8378237_ZRjwo

Some may say that we should let nature take its course. I disagree. The HOSP are not native songbirds. They were brought here and long ago spread all over the country. As their numbers grew, the numbers of bluebirds declined, until in many areas, they totally disappeared. With man's help they have made a remarkable comeback. This help is not simply putting up nest boxes. It also includes HOSP control.

In my years of hosting bluebirds I have come to study HOSP behavior almost as closely as I study bluebird behavior. I have a catch and release trap that I use when HOSP numbers increase. But they learn fast and soon become leery of the trap. I watch it carefully because I often trap wrens, house finches and song sparrows, which I immediately release.

I also have a dummy nest box that I locate in the yard where I can watch it. The bluebirds will also try to protect the dummy box, but to a lesser degree than they protect their chosen nest box. When I see a HOSP go into the dummy box I go down and install a VanErt trap and usually within10 minutes I have caught Mr. HOSP. Admittedly, I have also caught bluebirds this way, and when I do I of course release them immediately and unharmed.

I should add that HOSP are also a threat to other native cavity nesters, including purple martins, titmice and tree swallows.

Please excuse the length of this sermonette. I didn't set out to write this much and I realize a lot of it is stuff you have already heard. If you or anyone wishes to discuss methods of HOSP control in specific detail, send me a D-mail.

Dave

This message was edited Feb 22, 2011 10:54 AM

This message was edited Feb 22, 2011 11:11 AM

We have a couple of house sparrows claiming our long time bluebird nest. Two days ago, they fought over the nest box. Then, the following day, the HS was perched and singing on top of the box. We have set a trap with bread near the nest. We also use the Van Ert trap, but the sparrows get real leary of it also. If they see us put it out, they're gone. The BB are actively making plans for a nest box. It's quite frustrating. We already caught one male HS, but another is setting on top of our box.
We had problems last year with HS in the purple martin houses. We decided we had put the PM houses up too early, and the HS moved in. The PM and the HS resided in the same group of houses. It was worrisome all summer. Now, it's starting all over. The HS are so careful.
I would not take a BB nest down because of HS. You just have to keep fighting them as Cuz. mentioned. The Van Ert trap works pretty well - the HS get leery of it also.
It's kind of like a waiting game.
I continue to feed my birds the Bluebird Banquet suet, and all the birds love it. It's a great way to keep track of your BB. I had not seen the BB after the fight with the HS that BTW, they lost, but I see they are still coming to the deck to eat the suet.
It's frustrating but well worth the effort to keep BB in your yard. They stay here all winter and as Cuz. said--they raise three clutches. It's so cute to watch them fledge etc.







This message was edited Feb 22, 2011 10:21 AM

Thanks for your time and help for a new bluebird enthusiast, Dave. I should have taken more time with my answer. Not that I really give a but seems every time I mention sparrow or resident goose control I get hate mail, even threats of prosecution. For what I don't know since I break no laws.

Some good comments from dave, dogs.

Dave, thank you so very much for your input in the matter of supporting our Eastern BBs. I'm fortunate in that I've not a problem with HOSP in the garden (fingers crossed) for as long as I've set out to watch birds these past years. However, I do see them in parking lots, at nursery and even at grocery parking lots in the close proximity of my garden.

Like D_N_P, I've set out nest boxes in random, although not targeting specific species. A pair of Eastern Blues have taken an interest in this one particular nest box among other two species, namely Carolina Chickadees and Whitebreasted Nuthatches. My questions are;
1. Is this too close for the feeder to be nearby the nest? (Roughly 10-15' from the nest box).
2. Will Carolina Checkadees or Whiteheaded Nuthatch will succeed in competing with the BBs on the final round. I've not observed any aggressive behavior from any of these birds toward one another. They just took turn exploring the nest box -- for the past 3 days.

Correction from above post. Whiteheaded nuthatch I meant to say Whitebreasted Nuthatch .

Also thank you red for your input. I appreciate your sharing of your experience with us as well.

Birder17, from our collective experience and sharing. Hopefully we'll be better as EBBs' hosts somedays. Thank for sharing.

Birder, once the HOSP male claims a box, he will fight to keep it. He will then search for a mate, and if not stopped they will build in that box. With the help of the VanErt, you should eventually get him. My HOSP fly away when I approach the box too and I have heard people say that a HOSP can look down and see the trap and not go in, but remember, in his mind he now "owns" that box, so he WILL be back.

You might set the trap, then take a little dead grass and place it in the opening, with a little bit sticking out. The HOSP will see that and think another bird has already started a nest, and believe me, he will be back and go right in to check. Good luck and remember, the word for the day is PATIENCE.


Red: I too appreciate your imput. We are fortunate to have the benefit of your experience and knowledge here on the forum.


Lily: The 300 yard rule applies to other bluebird nests and not necessarily to other species. Last year I had tree swallows nest within 30 feet of the BB box and they more or less ignored each other.

But as with any rule, there are exceptions. In my case I have two BB boxes on the same side of the house, just 20 feet or so apart. The blues nest in one, then the other and I usually use the empty one as a dummy box. Chickadees and the tree swallows check it out but the blues chase them away. I believe they consider it theirs as well, since they sometimes nest in it. Ordinarily blues have no trouble with chickadees or even nuthatches.

I believe that in a fight over a nest box, the blues would succeed in evicting nuthatch or a tree swallow. I know they would evict the chickadee. Consider putting in a 1 1/4 in. hole reducer if you want the chickadees to nest.

Dave, no apology necessary for my part. I find it very helpful when someone gives their personal experience.

Red, Lily, Birder, thanks to everyone for sharing knowledge and encouragement. We're just very unsure how to proceed. It takes such an enormous amount of time to read all the information available at all the links cited in DG Sticky.

Have not seen the HOSPs at the nestbox today ! A cold front came through last night. Maybe that's the reason. But the HOSPs leaving it makes me worry there's something wrong with the box. We installed it on conduit pipe with rebar. We have quite windy weather just about all the time here. The box does sway back and forth slightly. What to do about that??? The same with a suet log we made and hung from an oak tree. Wondering if the wind making it move somewhat discourages the birds because there's no takers for my homemade peanut butter suet.

I'm attaching photo of the nestboxes we made from Texas Bluebird Society plans. We added the extra layer around the entrance because we had read that the added depth may prevent predator birds from sticking their head in the box as easily. But I think that would also prevent mounting the HOSP trap ???

Our 5-acre property has lots of oak trees and a couple of big cedar trees. The cedar trees seem to really attract HOSPs. We have a large population of Cardinals, which I love. Also Carolina Chickadees, Ladder-backed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. And Mockingbirds, which I'm not so crazy about. In trying to discourage HOSPs, quit feeding anything except black sunflower seed and safflower seed and hanging bag of thistle. Very seldom see a sparrow on the feeders now but the next-door neighbor has lots of feeders that I'm quite sure contain millet and milo. Would like to do mealworms for the bluebirds but how do you prevent the HOSPs from taking those?

OT, as we were looking over nestboxes this morning, a large bobcat came bounding across our property about 25 feet from us ! Beautiful.

G

The box looks fine. I wouldn't worry too much about the box swaying. I have seen them hanging from hooks and while it is not the preferred way, the birds were able to cope, even with that.

The extender on the outside is a plus and will keep birds like starlings further away from the eggs and the chicks. If you install the Van Ert trap, it goes on the inside of the door, so the extender is not a factor. The Van Ert trap is spring loaded, rather like a mouse trap, but it is not designed to hurt the bird; it just springs shut, blocking the entrance hole so he can't get out.

Any would-be BB host really needs to order a couple of them. If you leave the installation screws on the back of the nest box door, you can easily remove or reinstall the trap in a matter of seconds

http://www.vanerttraps.com/

Unfortunately, once the HOSP get the taste of the meal worms, they will prefer them. I have six or eight that stay in the underbrush behind our lot and when they see the bluebirds coming for mealworms, they come too. I sometimes stay outside and shoo them away. The blues are used to me and hardly move, even when I yell or wave at the HOSP.

My Purple Martin houses are about 60 feet or less from my BB house. They don't pay any attention to ea. other. However, I have read that BB will nest in PM houses which seems a little strange as BB like their house lower than PM. I put a dowel rod going perpendicular to the BB house, and the BB absolutely love sitting on it and looking down for insects on the ground.
I have a bluebird house in the backyard and one in the front yard. They always spend February looking at both houses but always chose the one in the front of the house that is near the road. It's the one the HS are after as of late.
Regarding the "swaying bluebird nest box", be sure to put the entrance away from the prevailing winds. I know there's soooo much info out there to read, but if you want to ask a question, there's a lot of enthusiastic blue birders here that will be happy to help with any questions. BB were in the past becoming "endangered" and with the help of humans, they are making a come back. So, ask any questions you want!
Regarding the male HS, putting the grass in the house is a good idea. Thanks. I have the BB house situated where I can see it from my "easy chair" in my living room. So, when I do sit down, I keep a close eye on the house. We had wind gusts to 40 mph yesterday, and the wind moved the house facing a different direction. I moved the house back as it should be, and everyone is staying away from the house today. I have also been told by Mr Ert (the guy that invented this trap) to put the trap up late evening when the HS won't see you in the act.
A mention of "the BB were not coming around the BB nest box today": like Cuz. said "Patience" is the key. They will be back. Also, be sure to put up a snake and coon barrier below your nest box.
Having a neighbor feeding millet is bad news. You "might" try to encourage him to have a BB box in his yard and give him some printed information regarding the millet. In the past, I have offered millet to the Indigo Blue Bunting--but due to sparrow attraction, I quit. Now, they just eat the weed seeds that are skirting the edge of the forest.
Lastly, I try to put my mealworm feeders on a post vs. something that sways. It's easier for the bluebirds to get in and out.
Oops, one more thing: I am glad to have my mocker. He runs off the blackbirds. He "throws his weight around" a little bit with the songbirds, but they just get out of his way and return-- or eat at another feeder. He actually will chase the blackbirds out of the yard. Yippee!! So, I am glad to have him around.

Interesting about bluebirds preferring to nest low to the ground. I have heard that too but I also have seen BBs nest in a PM house and my doctor has a BB couple that for several years have nested on her balcony and she is on the third floor of her building. Maybe the ones who prefer the lower level boxes are we humans, so we can more easily monitor them.

Also I know of a lady in California who goes by the name Linda Violet who sometimes hangs her nest boxes high in the trees. As I recall she also builds and uses two holed nest boxes (the second hole is to allow the trapped bluebird to escape from a HOSP) and she uses long poles to raise and lower them. The link below will take you to one of her pages. Interesting (at least to me) that just to the left of the picture of the hanging two holer is a link to a lot of my pictures she calls "bluebird battles". While she properly cites me as the source, I do not recall giving her permission to use the pictures. But then, maybe I did. I AM getting old. :-))


http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/

And I meant to say, I have spoken to Floyd Van Ert too and he told me the same thing about setting the trap at night. But the way I took it was that the HOSP often visit the nest box at daylight, so as to be inside the box when the bluebirds show up, then daring the BB to come inside after him. Indeed, I have set it overnight several times and at least twice I did catch a HOSP. But one time I caught a male bluebird. I don't know how long he was in there but he was very happy to get out. So now I prefer to set it when I can watch the box. Most of the time the HOSP seem to be oblivious of me and can't wait to get back and reestablish his claim to the box.

One time I was in the yard raking up grass or something, standing not more than10 feet from the empty box. A male HOSP zipped by me and into the box. I blinked, hardly believing what I had seen. The male bluebird was right behind him and landed on the roof of the nest box, waving its wings, all excited. I walked over toward the box, expecting the HOSP to fly out at any time. He didn't, so I took the only thing I had handy -- the rake handle, and shoved it into the opening.

This message was edited Feb 22, 2011 7:51 PM

This message was edited Feb 27, 2011 11:18 AM

Interesting bluebird battles. They are fighters.
When we are in our yard, the sparrows leave--especially if we look their way. Stinkers.
I have looked for information about the height to put a bluebird house. What I found on two websites was 3 to 6 feet or 1 to 2 meters. So, then I went to my favorite resource book, and this is what it said:
"Most bluebird monitors we talked to mount boxes at a height that's convenient for monitoring. The magic height seems to be eye level-about 5 feet off the ground, maybe a little lower for top opening boxes. Note that bluebirds aren't fussy about the height of their nests; they will happily nest anywhere from a few feet above the ground to high up in a tree."
So, I guess I got it mixed up as to height vs. convenience. I will say that they love sitting on their house and being able to see insects on the ground. They dive down for the insects.
I highly recommend "The Bluebird Monitor's Guide". It's is very informative and to the point. 122 pages full of information.

Hi all! Have loved reading all the information on this page. Bluebirds have just started "scoping out" one of my houses in the backyard. Last year I had bluebirds and chickadees in the the birdhouses from March to August, at least 2 broods each. As you guys said, they don't mind proximity to each other. Here's a pick of papa bluebird guarding the homefront last year. My children (twin 5 years old girls and a 6 year old girl) also love keeping track of what's happening in the birdhouses. Haven't had trouble with mocking birds or HOSPs bothering my birdhouse residents, but I do have a mocking bird that will eat all my mealworms before the bluebirds can get to them. Also had a brown thrasher nest in the bushes near the bird houses; they seem to co-exist just fine with the bluebirds and chickadees.

It's nice to know that you've success with BBs ladybug. I've a family of Blues 'scoping' out the same nest box with my Carolina Chikadees. Mockingbirds aren't the problem at the mealworms feeder. It's my Carolina Wrens. Yesterday I was working out in my garden. I heard the Wren singing/calling loudly atop a tree branch above the feeding station. Sure enough, soon another tiny Wren darling arrived and both were having a feast together. :)

Ladybug: Here's the mealworm feeder I use. I have one in the front yard and one in the back. I have found the bluebirds prefer to have this put on a post or something solid rather than having it "swinging". However they will use it swinging as well.
Also, you have to "open" up just some of the wires because my bluebirds can't quite "fit" through the holes.
It does absolutely keep the mockingbirds out of the mealworms.
As for the Carolina Wrens, they are sooo cute, I don't mind sharing my mealworms with them. Their song is amazing - coming out of such a cute little bird!

Did you intend to post a photo or link?

We have lots of activity today on a nestbox that's about 8 feet outside my kitchen window. I saw Papa BB successfully chase off a male HOSP. Another time it was Carolina Chickadees. Female BB comes and goes but the male is staying on tree limb very near the box and he goes into the box every so often. I've seen the male holding twig of grass but not the female.

When I noticed the activity, I was working in the back yard which is right around the corner of the house from this nestbox. So I came in the house and watching through the window because I didn't want my yard work to discourage them. Oh, I hope they decide to "buy the house." LOL.

G

D_N_P aren't they the most pleasant sight? I've never had a BBs nest in the garden before. I am hoping they also buy the house or sign the lease. lol

Yes, you described it perfectly as "the most pleasant sight."

The female looks so small - but guess I'm comparing her to these huge Cardinals we have so many of. Makes me think I need to feed her. Don't have a meal worm feeder or know anything about one. If I can find some live meal worms at a pet store, would a few in a dish on a little folding plastic yard table under the oak tree they are perching on be a good substitute? The local big box stores have freeze dried meal worms but I'm assuming that really wouldn't be a good choice.

G

It would be fine G but keep in mind that many other birds love meal worms too so there would be a good bit of competition. :-)

I've been searching for plans for making a meal worm feeder but have not found one. Just cannot spend the $$ on buying one.

We have quite a lot of little green grasshoppers already. Surprising since we had record-breaking cold a few weeks ago. But maybe the birds will benefit from them and my garden will benefit from the birds eating them, I hope !!

This is my set up. The small platform feeder with seeds. Then I placed the small blue bowl with the mealworms. I seems everyonr else and their cousins found the mealworms but the BBs. LOL

Where is Rose? She made a caged one out of some materials. I'll bring this to her attention.

I have been using a feeder that I made using the wire panels from some old storage units. Each panel is 14" and I wired 5 of them together to form the square with the bottom open. I set it on an old table and use a small bowl in the center and it has worked very well for about 3 years. I also have a caged suet feeder which I cut the center out of and have used it also. As long as the grid opening is 1 1/2" the Blues and other small birds can get in but not the larger ones. I will get a better pic tomorrow but here is the storage unit feeder.

Great idea about the cage, Rose. I'll see if I can get the hubster to build me one. For those who mentioned wrens, I've read that they will poke holes in other birds' eggs (such as BB) to eliminate competition if the wren nest is in the same area. Have you had any problems like this? I love the cute, fiesty wrens too, but have never tried to lure them with a wren house due to this concern.

Rose, thanks for the photo. Will be shopping for wire today. I don't mind feeding some to other small birds but know that the mockingbirds would eat us out of house and home if they can get to the meal worms. Last summer when I would be using a pitchfork to turn compost in our huge bins, a mocker would sit on nearby highline waiting for me to throw grubs out on the ground. Then it would swoop down to get it and fly away and be back in just a few minutes and wait for the next one. There's one dominant mocker at our place and nothing happens here that he doesn't know about. LOL.