Upgrade Your Bluebird Nest Box with Expert Tips

[@lloydbrannan1002]

I live in a subdivision with about 250 houses in it. I am lucky to have a 1 ac of land with some woods behind it because the lots behind me are all 5 ac. But I have a very large variety of birds coming to my feeders I never thought about providing nest sites for them until this year. I have Carolina Wien, Chickadees, 2 types nuthatches and doves, Tufted Titmouse's, Northern Cardinals, Chirping Sparrows, House Finches, Red Bellied Wood Pecker, Cowbirds, Crows, Hummingbirds, pair Bluebirds, Brown thrashers, and Mockingbirds living in my yard, some type of hawk living next store, golden Eagle flies over from time to time along with a flock of Buzzards. So there is no way I can space the bird houses 100' feet apart. They are all just going to have to learn to get along. I had plenty of bird fights in my yard like 2 hummingbird alfa males, pairs of Brown Thrashers, pair of Bluebirds there isn't much I can do about it. They were all knock down drag out fights with winner taking all. I see everything that comes into and happens because I have it wired with cameras.

[@teddyruxspin8480]

Pairing up the boxes about 10 to 20 feet apart works great tree swallows and bluebirds protect each others nests and a predator baffle is a must

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is a great suggestions for those who have both species.

[@linusgallitzin]

For nestboxes, I recommend having two holes for an escape route if house sparrows attack the house. I put them at the same height on the front door. It can also be sloped like a Peterson box to help leverage in case of an attack.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thanks!

[@kerrylancaster1569]

I put a small wire platform about 1/2" high in the bottom front for ventilation and a copper shield around the hole to keep squirrels from chewing up the front.

[@2SD251Jim]

I use sparrow traps in my boxes...I make mine so front hinges down....also sparrow spooker once first egg is layed

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Sparrow traps work but you do have to monitor them diligently.

[@2SD251Jim]

@@MarksBackyardBirds yes you do....

[@galinswigart]

I have a House Wren box on one side of my yard in a spruce tree and a bluebird box accross the yard (50 or 60 yards away) and I don't seem to have any issues with that setup thankfully!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That should be a safe distance.

[@firesandflowers]

I've got 2 males and a female eastern bluebird building a nest (looks about complete to me as of yesterday... 🤞 for eggs soon) in a nestbox in my backyard (I'm in Asheville NC)! I've watched one male go in with straw and then the other go in with straw paractically on top of each other, so I know it's not the same male! They all seem to be cooperating and getting a long... it's interesting to watch! I wonder if one is an offspring from last year that's just helping out, or if they're both mating with her (do you know if this is common)? All 3 had been hanging out together all winter in my backyard and I was expecting one of the males to leave! For most of February I had a mockingbird that was stealing all the mealworms and bullying them away, but she finally seems to have left. I'm glad the bluebirds stuck around! 🐦

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Blue Jays and several other birds do practice cooperative breeding help from last year's young. I've not heard of bluebirds but it is possible. Typically the younger birds just help with feeding the new young. Maybe this is a progressive female. You never say never and never say always when you are talking about wild animals.

[@outdoorztime2923]

Good morning, Mark! Great information regarding bluebird nestboxes. I will have to order some of those nest lifts you spoke of. Thanks for that information!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are an excellent addition a box

[@Lt_Tragg]

Easy enough to make the "lifts" from wire mesh/screen material.

[@valeriemccann2502]

Amazing video Thank You

[@Shelby2880]

I have a nesting bluebirds in my bluebird box. I see the female sticking her head out of the hole with her mouth open. The box is a natural wood color, but has a dark brown stained roof. There is a vent slot. We’re supposed to have 100° later this week. Is there anything that I can do to make the box cooler for them? For the future, should I paint the box white to keep it cooler? I provide 2 bird baths and a suet feeder, even in the summer, which the bluebirds have enjoyed as do other birds. This will be their second nest this year. I never saw any of the fledglings from the first nest, but I saw them constructing their nest in this brand new box earlier this year and the male’s frequent visits with food. Now I know that I need to clean out the old nests and will not be afraid of checking inside. Thank you for your informative videos!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

As cavity nesters they are use to temperatures that get up there. Their body temps are naturally about 105 which enables them to tolerate the conditions. Painting the roof white May help in the future but I wouldn’t risk it while they are in the nesting process. You are providing a reliable clean source of water and that is the best thing you can do for them.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I just had a customer who told me she rigged up an umbrella over her bluebird house. Our air temps could exceed 100 today. If you feel you can do some type of manmade shade for the box, it may provide some help during these stretches.

[@Shelby2880]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you.

[@Shelby2880]

@@MarksBackyardBirds I fear an umbrella would freak them out, plus we get wind which could whip the box around since it’s on a metal pole. There are 4 eggs in there. I think I’ll paint the box in between broods.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@Shelby2880 I am with you there. They chose the nest box. Hopefully the temps will moderate.

[@keithguillory148]

I had bluebirds in my yard in the spring! They even went in the house but never nested! I have the bird house in my backyard, my backyard is only about 30ft from a clear field! I have a power line in my backyard and did see them perching on it! Don’t see them in the summer! I do have a big open front yard! Can I put it there! Let me know please, because I love seeing the bluebirds around! Anymore information would be appreciated! I live in south Louisiana! Thank you! Wait to hear from you! 😀

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It sounds like great habitat. You can put a couple of boxes up as long as they 100 yds apart

[@missygood4785]

When is "now"? Not everyone is watching when you make the videos so it would be very helpful if you would say if it's May, August or December. But Thank you for your info, I've found a lot of helpful suggestions here. 😊 🐦 Missy in PA

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

PA is pretty close to the timing of Missouri. Bluebirds nest in early April, June and again in August here.

[@missygood4785]

@Mark's Backyard Birds But what I'm saying is we might not all be watching when you actually do the video. So you may have done that in August and we may be watching it in February. I watched quite a few last night and I'm pretty sure you didn't film them all right then LOL I'm not trying to be mean on any way, just suggesting a helpful hint for the rest of us out here who might not be in the same seasonal zone as you are. Again I loved your informative videos and will definitely be watching more. I'll need more birdseed soon and will definitely be getting some Safflower seed and the squirrels are back to it and knocked one of my plants down the other day, so back to the red pepper too! 😊

[@lalitashastry5505]

Thank you so much for posting this timely video. I do have 2 questions that I was hoping you could answer. I read that it is a good idea to have pair of nesting boxes 15 to 20 feet apart so different species don't compete for the same box. Would you agree with that? And secondly, would you recommend the bird guards that are almost like a small tube at the entrance hole? I heard they work well to keep animals from grabbing the birds or eggs but I read some reviews that the birds are reluctant to explore nest boxes with these kind of guards. Thank you again for all the great info!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The theory of two boxes mainly comes from areas where there are Tree Swallows and bluebirds competing for boxes. It worked well for my brother in Kentucky a few years back. As long as you don't allow House Sparrows to use the other box, it should be OK. I have only had a couple of people who thought the guards were a distractions. Many people have had success. The only time I can imagine it not helping is if they have a natural cavity nearby that is "easier" for them.

[@lalitashastry5505]

Thank you so much!

[@rubbersidedown7041]

I'm having a hard time with a neighborhood hawk or two that keep coming by this winter to attack the birds I feed. We have doves, wrens, finches, tit mice, chickadees, a few cardinals, bluebirds and others. I feed the crows. They help with the hawks. We have lots of trees, but virtually no leaves for cover now. What are your thoughts on putting up some camouflage netting above nesting and feeding areas to deter hawks? How high up should a bluebird house be placed? I will have to place mine on a tree with acetate sheets on the trunk to deter snakes and a special cover over the hole to deter racoons. I wish I could have chickens too, but worry I'll put the other bird's lives at risk as this will attract the hawks. Thank you for your guidance. Any advice is helpful. After losing some baby wrens this year to hawks I want to do what I can to help. The wrens had put a nest in a planter. I respect the raptors, but they can be exasperating.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You want the hole of the house to be at least 4.5 ft above the ground and facing east/southeast. Not heard of the acetate sheets. I know some have luck with carpet tack strips.

[@rubbersidedown7041]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thanks! That was a fast reply. I just edited that comment with another question. This was the question: Would camouflage netting work to deter hawks? Mine are relentless at times.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I really worry about any type of netting that birds could get caught in. A large mesh would be less threatening for the smaller bird but still a concern. Do you have a brush pile close by?

[@rubbersidedown7041]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you. We are brainstorming. Good advice. Yes, we have multiple brush piles.

[@outdoorztime2923]

Mark, could you do a video on installation of cameras to bird boxes? I usually build my boxes for wood ducks, bluebirds, screech owls, kestrels, etc. Adding a camera is something that would really be neat to bird watching and monitoring without disturbing the birds. So, how much extra space needed above the entrance hole to the top of the roof would be good information. I believe some cameras offer live feed, correct? Also, have you ever added a camera to any of your boxes? Thanks again, and keep up the good work.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I haven't ever added a camera, so unfortunately have no experience with them. I'll check with a friend and perhaps have him as a guest.

[@outdoorztime2923]

@@MarksBackyardBirds That would be an episode I wouldn't want to miss.

[@coldspring624]

I run a line of Blue bird box's and wonder if you have any thoughts or input with using Diatomaceous earth in the bottom of bird box's for insects

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I don't like to use it because it is such a fine particulate that when the young are starting to move around in the box, I'm concerned that it can get stirred up and be inhaled. Birds, especially young ones, have very sensitive raspatory systems.

[@coldspring624]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank's for your opinion and I agree with your reasoning

[@vickieayres3879]

I read that sparrowss don’t care for shallow nests.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Shallow nests are more dangerous for the bluebirds. Easier for predators to reach in and grab mom and the young.