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The nest box is ready to mount. Keep the entrance hole about 5 feet above ground. The Bluebird Society recommends attaching your bluebird box to a smooth round pipe, such as a 3/4-inch electrical conduit, rather than on a tree or fence. Conduit straps attached to the back work well for mounting.
Which way do you face a bluebird house?
The house should face south or southeast. Selecting a suitable location for the bluebird house is of house. They should be set out by February 15.
How high does a bluebird house need to be?
Height: Bluebirds nest within a wide range of heights, from two to 50 feet. Mounting at eye level provides easy checking; however, if cats or other predators are problems, hang nest boxes at least six to eight feet from the ground.
What is the best design for a bluebird house?
They found that, when given a choice, eastern bluebirds consistently chose to nest in boxes with oval holes measuring 2 inches tall and 1 3/8 inches wide. (Oval holes can easily be fashioned by drilling two overlapping holes using a 1 3/8-inch drill bit.).
How do I attract bluebirds to my birdhouse?
Seven Tips for Attracting Bluebirds Open it up. Bluebirds prefer open areas with low grass and perches from which they can hunt insects. Leave it alone. Plant native. Just add water. Go chemical-free. Beware of roaming cats. Offer mealworms.
What color should a bluebird house be?
Bluebirds prefer earthy tones, such as the colors of grass and dirt. For this reason, shades of brown and green are good choices. Bright colors attract other birds and predators, which is detrimental to bluebirds.
Does a bluebird house need a perch?
No Perches – bluebird boxes do NOT need perches on the exterior of the box. Since bluebirds are cavity nesting birds, their feet are adapted to clinging to wood. Also, the presence of a perch may attract house sparrows which seem to prefer them.
Do Bluebird houses need cleaned out each year?
Once breeding season is over—usually by mid-August—it’s a good idea to clean out the birdhouse. For birds that have multiple broods per season, such as bluebirds or robins, it’s a good idea to clean out nesting material between broods.
Should you remove old bluebird nest?
Bluebirds will typically raise between 2 and 3 broods each year, and they will often re-use old nests. But because old nesting material can harbor bacteria and parasites, it’s best to remove the nests as soon as the juveniles have left the nest.
What is the best birdhouse for bluebirds?
Well Built: A bluebird house should be watertight, yet ventilated and with drainage holes. It should be built of a rot resistant wood, like cedar, or untreated exterior plywood. You can paint the outside a light, neutral color or coat it with linseed oil, but the inside should be untreated wood.
What makes a bluebird house a bluebird house?
It’s assembled with the rough side of the wood facing out so it more closely resembles the birds’ natural nesting sites. And there’s no perch. Notches beneath the entrance hole provide footing for bluebirds, but discourage visits from competing house sparrows and wrens. The swing-open side is convenient, also.
Where do bluebirds sleep at night?
Where do bluebirds sleep at night? Sleeping places include pastures, orchards, parks, and meadows. Eastern Bluebirds will build nests in tree cavities to protect their young, in a behavior similar to that of woodpeckers. Bluebirds will sometimes construct their nests within abandoned woodpecker holes of trees.
What month do bluebirds build nests?
Scouting: February to Mid-March: Bluebirds start checking out nesting sites. Late arrivals, or previously unpaired birds may nest as late as July or even August, and some pairs have multiple broods.
Do bluebirds eat suet?
Bluebirds will eat the following offerings at feeders: Mealworms, suet dough, fruit, and sunflower bits. They will also consume eggshell bits during spring and summer when the females especially need extra calcium for egg production.
Do bluebirds eat birdseed?
Bluebirds rarely eat birdseed, although they will occasionally take shelled sunflower, safflower and peanut chips/nut meats. If bluebirds are seen at a bird feeder, they may also be seeking out insects/larvae in the seed, or dried fruits or nut meats mixed with seed.
When should you put up bluebird houses?
Because bluebirds will use birdhouses as winter roosting spots, there is no best time to put out houses for them—anytime is fine. Bluebirds begin investigating potential nesting sites as early as late February, so houses should be clean, repaired, and available for nesting birds by February 15.
What does a Bluebirds nest look like?
Typical Bluebird Nest Description: Neat, cup shaped, woven nest typically 100% fine grass or pine needles. Cup may be in the back of the box. Occasionally bits of fur or a few feathers, or even some hair (e.g., from a horse). Notice the cup is deep, and more neatly woven than the rest of the nest.
Is it OK to paint a birdhouse?
Is it safe to paint a birdhouse? Yes, it is safe to paint a birdhouse as long as you use non-toxic paint. Also, ensure the paint you use is not so dark that it absorbs too much heat. Finally, keep in mind that overly bold and bright colors may attract predators if not carefully placed.
How do you keep snakes out of bluebird houses?
Writhing across an open space such as a mowed lawn exposes snakes to predators. A sheet of hardware cloth — plastic-coated wire mesh — also helps deter snakes when it is on the ground beneath a bluebird house. Greasing the pole does little to convince snakes to keep away because many snake species are good climbers.
Do bluebird houses need vent holes?
Supply ventilation and drainage. Birdhouses should have ventilation and drainage holes to prevent overheating or drowning of baby birds. A sloped roof with a bit of an overhang can also help keep the nest dry.
