Relatively New to Bluebirding - Having HOSP Invasions!

Last year my husband and I moved to the country where we have roughly 3 acres of open field surrounded by farmland--perfect habitat for our bluebird friends, right? Well, I noticed right away that the yard seemed to be fully populated by bluebirds and was so enthralled. I was surprised later to find that where the prior owners had put a bluebird box on the front porch, a nice couple of them were nesting there. Who knew they liked being so close to people? After at least two successful fledges, I thought we had it made.

...until this year.

This year, our same couple came back to nest again and laid 4 beautiful eggs. All was going well, and the babies were growing rapidly. One day, my husband and I came home from the store to find all four babies on the ground a few feet from the box, dead. They were not nearly old enough to fledge, only covered with a soft fuzz at that point. So, what the heck happened?

After doing some research, I learned of the House Sparrow (HOSP). And sure enough, soon after the violent attack, I had a new nest in the box of these vile alien species. I did even more research, contacted a few bluebird experts, and am now fully committed to protecting bluebirds from the HOSPs. I bought a ground trap, a box trap, and put up several more boxes around the yard (one expert stated that having only one nesting box could be problematic). However, I did not act quickly enough and the eggs have hatched and the HOSP babies are close to fledging. I've not been able to catch any HOSP in the ground trap, and have been nervous about messing with their nest/young due to possible retaliation on the bluebirds nesting in other boxes.

Today, I confirmed that bluebirds have laid eggs in one of the new boxes (woohoo!), but also noticed the male bluebird having to fight off both HOSP and tree swallows from messing with the box. Now I'm very concerned that the eggs won't make it. Further, I was told that the ground trap was likely not working because the HOSP were nesting and would not be interested in seed until the babies had fledged.

So...anyone have a similar issue or any recommendations for what I should do? I put an order in for a HOSP spooker to put on top of the bluebird box where the eggs are. I just hope it gets here in time.

Hi Lianne, I'll send you a D mail with a link and 2dCousinDave might be able to help with more of your questions.

First thing is to make sure you aren't attracting the sparrows with food or nesting sites. The most comprehensive site on bluebirds is sialis.org and they have a section on sparrow control. I'd take a look at that.

Hi Lianne. Sorry about your house sparrow (HOSP) problems but welcome to the forum, nonetheless. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your bluebird nestlings. It most likely was the HOSP that did this. HOSP often peck and then throw out dead nestlings, but sometimes if it is an adult bluebird they kill, they may build on right on top of the corpse. HOSP usually kill or evict because they want the nesting space. (I should also add that HOSP also kill tree swallows and purple martins and several other cavity nesters for the same reasons.)

I would recommend you take a look at Bet Zimmerman's Sialis site. http://www.sialis.org/index.html Bookmark it and go back whenever you have a question or just want to increase your knowledge of blue birding.

And, if you don't already have them, you need to buy several VanErt traps. http://www.vanerttraps.com/
The Van Ert trap is a spring loaded contraption that you attach to the inside of the nest box door. You set it somewhat like a mousetrap. When the bird enters it will spring the trap and a flap will flip up, blocking the entrance hole, trapping the bird inside and unhurt. Make sure you monitor the box when you set the trap and be careful when opening since bluebirds and other protected species may also spring the trap.

It is the male HOSP that you especially need to watch for. He looks for a nesting area, even before he looks for a mate. He is almost always the killer, not just of nestlings but also of a female bluebird that might be in the nest box sitting on eggs, or even the male bluebird, if he can trap him in a nest box.
You might see your bluebirds chasing the HOSP when out in the open, but do not be misled by this. In a fight between a bluebird and a HOSP, the HOSP will win EVERY time. And the result is always deadly. I have watched bluebirds fight and it is more of a constant harassment, where the aggressor torments the opponent until one gives up and flies away. With HOSP it is different. I have watched HOSP fight out in the open, when it was not just play. They are blessed with a very hard beak. They grab and hold the opponent and peck at the eyes and head. A HOSP trapped my male bluebird and killed him in less than 30 seconds.

Your HOSP eggs that have recently hatched pose a special problem. They are so cute and helpless but if you allow them to grow and fledge they will return to your yard when they are ready to mate (which for HOSPs can be as soon as a year), and each is a potential killer.

We have rules here on the forum that limit what I can say about HOSP control but if you live in the country you do have several options that those of us who live in more developed areas may not have. If you have specific questions you may hit the mail tab on the toolbar at the top of this page and send me a D-mail. I will try to answer or point you to sources that can help.

If it is any comfort, you are not alone. HOSP are virtually everywhere and are the biggest single problem we bluebird hosts are confronted with.


This message was edited Jun 17, 2011 7:54 AM