Homes for Nesting Bluebirds

[@dennisprice4382]

It is refreshing to see a bird box video that includes all the elements of safety for the adult, eggs and chicks. Thanks.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Thanks. Glad that you enjoyed the video segment!

[@margaretmathis4775]

We put up our first-ever BB nest box and 2 days later, they were already building a nest. We are now about 1/2 way through the “nestling” stage, and those 5 little babies are quite vocal. What is interesting, though, we have 3 birds tending to the nest, instead of just the parents. Curious about that, I have since learned that sometimes a juvenile from a previous brood will help out with care and feeding - cool, put those teenagers to work, LOL! We are in NW Louisiana.

[@gerardocontreras6098]

That purchased Pennington box is the same one I purchased. It was $9 something at walmart. I put it up about 3 days ago and was surprised I had a bluebird today. I had a feeder nearby also. Saw it enjoying mealworms.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

The ready-made and widely available store-bought boxes such as the Pennington bluebird box are a very affordable box. They are readily accepted by bluebirds as you found. Thanks for your comments!

[@jpopelish]

I have found that a simple deterrent for predators is to mount the box on a length of 1 1/2 inch, PVC pipe, instead of on a plank or wood post. I cut a pipe cross fitting in half, to make a pair of flat-topped tees that I can screw onto the bottom of the box, by drilling a pair of holes in the sides. You could use a single tee, by sawing a piece off the top and discarding that. I have not had any snake, cat or racoon climb one of these pipe posts. The pipe comes in 10 foot sections, and I cut these in half, to mount two boxes, burying about a foot of the pipe in the ground. These look very nice with white painted boxes.

[@uhill74]

Anywhere I can see photos or plans?

[@IowaKim]

Very clever. Gonna have to try this. I have been puzzling a way to attach the box to a conventional T-post, and I think your design just might slip over one. If so, that is an elegant solution.

[@uhill74]

So no baffle needed? I wonder if I should slide pvc over my existing poles. I lost my eggs this year due to something climbing and getting past the stovepipe baffle.

[@jpopelish]

@@uhill74 I have seen determined squirrels climb PVC pipe that had a bird feeder on top, but I haven't seen a black snake climb it, yet. All I can say is that I have seen dozens of blue birds fledge from my boxes.

[@jpopelish]

@@uhill74 Keep in mind that some egg eaters fly into the box.

[@RCALivingStereo]

I like your idea for the pole to put these up. I need to buy a few of those

[@davehak2880]

I've always liked birds. I recently discovered a beautiful picture of myself when I was around two, I was kneeling down and feeding pigeons with my late dad. its my most cherished photo!

[@OklahomaGardening]

Dave Hak, thanks for sharing your input. Be sure to follow us on social media including, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, for more topics and discussion similar to this one! Thanks for tuning in! Happy Gardening!

[@timoconnell2206]

Terrific information. My only quibble would be to not check the boxes so frequently. Unless you suspect a problem give the box a wide berth. Certainly once they start feeding young you can tell that all is well as the adults return to the box with food - no need to look inside.

[@srosas1]

Please clarify more about the use of organic sulfur in a nest box. I have only found organic sulfur powder or crystals.

[@jpopelish]

Any powdered sulfur is effective.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

I have used powdered sulfur or the sulfur flakes "flowers of sulfur" as mite deterrence, either works. The next round of nesting bluebirds will build right over it. Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@fredhorn9790]

Watched our pair for days, with mother attending nest at night. Temperatures in Alabama at the time were in the high 90s. One day my wife told me both birds were acting strange; they were alternating flying to the box but not touching it and were fluttering in front of the hole. They did this several times that day, then they left altogether. I looked in the box and found one broken egg and one intact egg--abandoned. While we had thought a snake or lizard had entered the box and the birds were trying to scare it out, my wife began to believe the birds were fanning the hole in an attempt to rid the box of the extreme smell of the broken egg. Any thoughts? And, after I clean the box, will they return?

[@stinger4583]

This is a very good video. I am a rookie at this so it was very informative. You know Dennis, you bare a resemblance to Norm Abrams? He is one of my all-time favorite woodworkers. Is there a web site, you can refer me to, where I can download these birdhouse plans?

[@jcshort31]

I thought the very same thing

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

The "NestWatch Right Box Right Bird" page has many birdbox plans. My responses to your question keep getting deleted.

[@janabowling6978]

Why would multiple male bluebirds go in and out of my bluebird box in early February and March? There is another Bluebird box I my neighbor’s yard that has been an active nest for Bluebirds raising their young for the ten years I’ve lived here.

[@futureshock7425]

This is top notch info, thank you

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Thanks for the appreciation, glad you enjoyed the video segment!

[@odelloutdoors3424]

Safe to assume these tips are useful in Michigan as well?

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Yes, these tips should be good for your eastern bluebird species in Michigan. You will find minor differences in nest box cavity size plans which are inconsequential. Hope that your efforts have met with success! Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@hdtripper1]

Do you leave any sulfur in box after cleaning? Would the smell deter the birds?

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Leaving a very small residue of sulfur in the bottom of the boxes doesn't seem to have caused problems. It is believed that most birds cannot smell. The sulfur is a deterrent to mites.

[@anniegaddis5240]

Could you please fix your link to nest box info? Thank you.

[@sonastainbrook]

I had Bluebirds in my house I put up on May 5th and just yesterday I noticed they are not there and now I have House Wrens living in them. How can I get them out and get my Bluebirds back?

[@uhill74]

Wrens are a pain in the neck. Technically you can't remove them. But i remove their sticks immediately. Often times wrens just fill any box with sticks but not necessarily for a nest. Try keeping the bluebird box as far away from thickets and trees as possible to deter wrens

[@billcoley8520]

What do you think of the Peterson blue bird , bird house

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

I haven't personally used the Peterson design bluebird boxes but many can attest to their success in using them. Be sure when mounting any bluebird box to avoid mounting on a tree or wooden post. We suggest using tee posts, smooth metal pipe or pvc pipe, use a baffle such as stove pipe or cone baffle to assist in deterring post-climbing predators such as raccoons, cats and snakes. I also suggest a Noel Guard to help deter cats and raccoons that may jump from the ground to the top of the box and then try to reach in. Never underestimate the determination of a hungry and motivated predator. Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@hdtripper1]

Any way to deter English Sparrows fro taking over or staying away from blue bird boxes with out having to guard?

[@djs2356]

that is the big question....!!! I agree. House Sparrows are horrible!

[@uhill74]

Trap them year round if you can. Van ert traps and ground traps. After a few hundred things will gradually change. Also put up a spooker after the first egg is laid.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

@@uhill74 Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening posting. I agree the Van Ert live trap is one of the most effective trapping devices that can be adapted to practically any bird box. I encourage placing the two screws for mounting the Van Ert in every box, performing a dry run, then removing the Van Ert but leaving the screws in place.....just in case it is the later focus box for trapping sparrows! Happy Bluebirding and thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

I now use "sparrow spookers" to deter house sparrows or English sparrows. Also some folks use clear plastic sky lights on the box and feel that they deter house sparrows using the box but don't deter bluebirds. Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@peterheidgerd5418]

I live in Atlanta, Georgia and came home from work one day last week (3rd wk Feb 2021) to find a male Bluebird at my Backyard Wildlife Habitat birdbath. My question is this: Is it quite possible without a box the Bluebirds might still like the environment that I have created and nest there anyway? I am on a small parcel of land .17 acre and except for the birdbath I have no other man made items in the yard so it can be as natural looking as possible.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

I believe there are two parts to your question: "1) Is it quite possible without a box the Bluebirds might still like the environment that I have created" and 2) nest there anyway?" It appears you at the time of the question had an environment conducive to hosting bluebirds where they are in the vicinity and you provided water and suitable habitat. As for them nesting on your property, they need a cavity to host their nest, food, water and appropriate cover/habitat and they need to be present in or near your property. Suitable nest cavities are often in short supply. If you have not already done so, you might mount a bluebird house ASAP because if bluebirds are in the vicinity, they are likely already scouting suitable cavities for nesting starting in late winter/early spring. Thanks for posting and thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@billastell3753]

What kind of predator would this guard work against? It seems a red squirrel could just crawl around the guard and then chew into the wooden hole. I use hardware cloth around the holes on all my boxes but it is flat against the wood to prevent hole chewing.

[@billastell3753]

Should have waited. The answer was the extended guard helps keep the dreaded racoon arm out.

[@aileenwagner2576]

6inch stove pipe wrapped around the bottom of the pole will stop any squirrel, they CANNOT climb it👍😉

[@hdtripper1]

@@aileenwagner2576 I told my buddy about the stove pipe idea. I came across the video a few years ago. Great idea. I gave him a piece of plastic gutter down tube (Mentioned in my earlier post)He had to cut it on the side to slip it around the sheperd hook. What he didn't do was cover the tube at the top or bottom. The squirrel squeezed his body and crawled through the tube . Hah!. He has since duct tap the top and bottom. The stove pipe has to be dog eared at the top to keep this from happening.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

@@aileenwagner2576 The Noel guard as seen in the video is constructed of wire mesh or hardware cloth. It is readily embraced by bluebirds, titmice, chickadees and other cavity nesting birds. It is a deterrent to raccoons, feral cats, bobcats, and various raptors. I have had larger and heavier predators bend the Noel guards down in their attempts to tear open the boxes so use suitably matched mounting screws. Unfortunately, snakes are one of the most difficult predators to stop and a Noel guard will not stop a snake. Use stove pipe baffles and baffle cones to deter climbing predators and mount the boxes on smooth pipes preferably. We have had snakes occasionally breach the stove pipe baffles and cone baffles. We have used the netting snake traps but they are unfortunately lethal on snakes if the snake is not caught and released quickly enough.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

We don't seem to have serious interest from either red or gray squirrels getting into our bluebird boxes. Our biggest problems are from the 6 feet plus length western rat snakes which are dynamic enough to breach stove pipe baffles and cone baffles.

[@davearchbell9921]

Why are you checking the box?

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Many folks enjoy participating in citizen science projects, logging and supplying data sets to coordinating scientists. This would be a multiplier effect where the individual gets the enjoyment and fulfillment from participating in something very meaningful concerning the knowledgebase on a variety of bird species. Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@hasmukhvpatel4539]

very good info ,thank you sir.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening and the statement of appreciation!

[@Vinterfrid]

I have never ever heard of people checking bird houses once they are inhabited. In my world you clean the birdhouses before birds start to nest in them - after that you never disturb the birds. Is your advice particular to bluebirds?

[@IowaKim]

I check mine to make sure that cowbirds haven't laid an egg in the nest. I also check to make sure the House Sparrows haven't invaded. One year they started building their nest right on top of the bluebird's eggs.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Many folks participate in citizen science projects where they check the boxes approximately twice per week once they are mounted. This helps in data collection/submission regarding the nesting success of various bird species. Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@randyfox5317]

I am seeing a conflict with the box diagram on the website linked in the description. The speaker in the youtube video said a piece of fencing material would work which is 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches. The website directions show the roof at a true 6 inches. Without that small overlap, rain can get in. Does anyone else see this issue or did they just make the size smaller (which is not recommended)?

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Dimensions of the individual parts of the box will vary depending upon the size of the wood plank chosen. Adjust based on the material used. Bluebirds are quite adaptable to minor box size dimensional changes. One will find a variety of plans and dimensions out there on the internet and in printed publications. Thanks for watching!

[@johnspader3388]

Why open the box at all when the birds are nesting

[@theresahendrix4690]

I believe it is because House Sparrows will attack and kill the bluebirds, and or destroy the eggs : (

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Many folks participate in citizen science where they set up birdbox trails, monitor, collect and submit data that is used by ornithologists. Monitoring can be performed in a non-invasive way. General suggestions are to check twice a week, check at non-invasive times using non-problematic methods. Unable to post web addresses here as the algorithms nix posts with those. "Code of Contact NestWatch" and "Code of Ethics Birdwatching" yields some great guidelines posted by various non-profits. Thanks for posting and thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@MegaMoose1961]

Always monitor your birdhouses at least twice a week. Do not allow English Sparrows to use your birdhouses. They will destroy all your native species. The purpose of putting up birdhouses is to help our native species. English Sparrows and Starlings are not protected.

[@aileenwagner2576]

Yes, and these birds r vicious as well!

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Completely agree! Thanks for posting. I encourage folks to search for "Van Ert" trap and read up on how to effectively use them. Staffing the box and checking very frequently, every few minutes, is important if one undertakes trapping. Also important for folks to "read" their local community sentiment and comply with all laws, rules and regulations! Happy Bluebirding!

[@fredmcmurray6308]

I had a couple in my bird house female laid 5 eggs then I did not see them for a few days and then the female showed up but no male a few days later checked the nest and all 5 eggs were gone no female ever returned, I know someone is going to say coons skunks snatched but the nest and around it had no trace of the egg shell's. feathers like a fight happened , there are no snakes here big enough to have gobbled her and the eggs. I know she could not have flown off with them to relocate them. Great Mystery and loss.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Sorry for the loss of that round of nesting as well as the parents. Unfortunately, there are many predators of bluebirds, hope you kept trying and that your efforts met with success! Thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@lt7656]

Why would you "check" the birds all the time?????????

[@plzhd2]

L Trx I was a lucky landlord?! I checked every day beginning from first nesting material though laying of eggs and up to babies were 10 days old! Didn’t open box but did peek to see babies were still fine! Mom n dad seem fine with me doing this! Babies have fledged now can’t decide as I’m getting conflicting info whether to remove nest and clean box or not! Mom n dad still sit on top of box.

[@hdtripper1]

@@plzhd2 I now know the batch of babies are called a clutch. I've been just calling them a litter. Heh.

[@uhill74]

A lot can go wrong. I stick my phone through the top slot and take photos instead.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

General suggestions are to check twice a week, check at non-invasive times using non-problematic methods. Unable to post web addresses here as the algorithms nix posts with those. "Code of Contact NestWatch" and "Code of Ethics Birdwatching" yields some great guidelines posted by various non-profits. Thanks for posting and thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@tracyyarbrough3358]

Why are we checking the boxes? Why not just leave the birds alone?

[@OklahomaGardening]

We are checking the bird boxes to ensure the safety of the nesting birds. Boxes can become infested with parasites or predators, and checking them semi-regularly can help identify and address issues. As a whole we do try to leave the birds alone!

[@geektome4781]

Good video. Mispronounced “height,” but good video.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Thanks for watching!

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Or leave the birds alone when nesting

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Many folks participate in citizen science where they set up birdbox trails, monitor, collect and submit data that is used by ornithologists. Monitoring can be performed in a non-invasive way. General suggestions are to check twice a week, check at non-invasive times using non-problematic methods. Unable to post web addresses here as the algorithms nix posts with those. "Code of Contact NestWatch" and "Code of Ethics Birdwatching" yields some great guidelines posted by various non-profits. Thanks for posting and thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!

[@zigzag5805]

you help birds more if you leave them alone and let them get on with it. just clean out when birds have left ready for next pair simple if you have a pair let nature take over they don't need to be spyed on all the time

[@rbtkng2438]

No, you help native species more if you check the nests to make sure English sparrows haven’t taken over the nest or killed the young bluebirds, or pecked holes in their eggs, which just happened to me.

[@gilfong9606]

@@rbtkng2438 This makes no sense. How does checking the box stop sparrows? Why don't you just stand guard outside the box 24 hours a day with a baseball bat to hit the sparrows in the head if they come by, makes about as much sense.

[@rbtkng2438]

It would make sense to you if you had a brain.

[@okvegetationmgmt9934]

Many folks participate in citizen science where they set up birdbox trails, monitor, collect and submit data that is used by ornithologists. Monitoring can be performed in a non-invasive way. General suggestions are to check twice a week, check at non-invasive times using non-problematic methods. Unable to post web addresses here as the algorithms nix posts with those. "Code of Contact NestWatch" and "Code of Ethics Birdwatching" yields some great guidelines posted by various non-profits. Thanks for posting and thanks for watching Oklahoma Gardening!