How to Welcome Bluebirds Home: Attracting Bluebirds to Your New Bluebird House
Attracting bluebirds to a new bluebird house involves careful planning and creating an inviting habitat they can’t resist; the key is selecting the right location, house design, and employing specific techniques to ensure bluebirds find your offering irresistible.
Introduction: The Majesty of the Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird ( Sialia sialis) is a cherished symbol of happiness and renewal, and providing them with nesting habitat is a rewarding experience. Bluebirds are cavity nesters, meaning they rely on pre-existing holes in trees or artificial structures like bluebird houses to raise their young. With natural cavities becoming increasingly scarce, providing a suitable bluebird house is a crucial step in supporting their populations. But simply putting up a box isn’t enough. How do you attract bluebirds to a new bluebird house? It requires understanding their needs and actively creating a bluebird-friendly environment.
Understanding Bluebird Habitat Preferences
Knowing what bluebirds seek in a habitat is the first step in attracting them. They prefer open areas with scattered trees or shrubs, providing perches for hunting insects and easy access to foraging grounds. Ideal habitats include meadows, pastures, orchards, and even suburban backyards.
The Bluebird House: Design and Placement
The characteristics of the bluebird house itself are paramount.
- Size and Entry Hole: The entry hole should be precisely 1 ½ inches in diameter. This size deters larger birds like starlings, which can outcompete bluebirds for nesting sites.
- Material: Untreated wood, such as cedar or pine, is ideal. Avoid pressure-treated wood, as it contains chemicals that can be harmful to birds.
- Ventilation and Drainage: Ensure the house has adequate ventilation holes near the top and drainage holes in the bottom to prevent overheating and moisture buildup.
- Placement Height: Mount the house on a pole at a height of 5 to 10 feet.
| Feature | Recommendation | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| —————– | ———————————————- | ———————————————————————– |
| Entry Hole | 1 ½ inches | Prevents starlings from entering. |
| Material | Untreated cedar or pine | Safe for birds, durable. |
| Ventilation | Holes near the top | Prevents overheating. |
| Drainage | Holes in the bottom | Prevents moisture buildup. |
| Mounting Height | 5-10 feet | Ideal height for bluebird access and predator deterrence. |
| Location | Open area with scattered trees or shrubs | Provides hunting perches and foraging grounds. |
Creating a Bluebird-Friendly Landscape
The environment surrounding the bluebird house significantly impacts its appeal.
- Insect Buffet: Bluebirds primarily eat insects. Avoid using pesticides in your yard, as these can harm bluebirds and deplete their food source. Planting native flowering plants will attract insects, providing a natural food source.
- Berry Bushes: Plant berry-producing shrubs like dogwood, serviceberry, and viburnum. These provide a valuable food source, especially during the fall and winter months.
- Water Source: Offer a clean water source, such as a bird bath. Birds need water for drinking and bathing.
- Perches: Ensure there are natural or artificial perches nearby, such as branches or fences. Bluebirds use these perches to scan for insects.
Active Management Techniques to Attract Bluebirds
- Monitor the House: Regularly monitor the bluebird house for signs of nesting activity. Remove any nests built by non-native species like House Sparrows, which are aggressive competitors.
- Offer Mealworms: Bluebirds love mealworms! Offering live or dried mealworms can attract them to your yard and encourage them to nest in your bluebird house.
- Keep the Area Tidy: Mow the grass around the bluebird house regularly to make it easier for bluebirds to find insects.
- Consider Multiple Houses: If you have enough space, consider putting up multiple bluebird houses. Space them at least 100 yards apart to avoid territorial disputes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Nest Box Hygiene: Neglecting to clean out old nests annually can lead to infestations of mites and other parasites, discouraging bluebirds from reusing the house.
- Using Inappropriate Materials: Using painted or treated wood can release harmful chemicals that affect the birds’ health.
- Poor Placement: Placing the house in a heavily wooded area or near dense vegetation will deter bluebirds, as they prefer open habitats.
- Failure to Monitor for Predators: Not protecting the house from predators like cats, raccoons, and snakes can lead to nest failures. Use predator guards on the mounting pole.
Long-Term Maintenance for Continued Success
Attracting bluebirds is an ongoing process. Regular maintenance and observation are crucial for ensuring their continued success.
- Annual Cleaning: Clean out the bluebird house each year after the nesting season has ended. Remove old nests and debris.
- Repair Damage: Inspect the house for damage and make any necessary repairs.
- Continue Providing Food and Water: Keep providing a clean water source and planting native plants to support their diet.
- Monitor Regularly: Continue to monitor the house for signs of nesting activity and address any problems that arise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it typically take for bluebirds to find a new bluebird house?
It can vary significantly. Sometimes, bluebirds will find and occupy a new house within days, while other times it can take weeks or even months. The location of the house, the surrounding habitat, and the presence of other bluebirds in the area all play a role. Patience is key!
What is the best time of year to put up a bluebird house?
The best time is in late winter or early spring, before the nesting season begins. This gives bluebirds time to scout out potential nesting sites before they start building their nests. In warmer climates where birds may have multiple broods, keep nesting boxes up and available year-round.
Do bluebirds reuse their nests or houses?
Yes, bluebirds will often reuse the same house in subsequent years, and even for multiple broods in the same season. Cleaning out the old nest after each brood or at the end of the nesting season encourages reuse.
What if starlings are using my bluebird house?
Starlings are a major problem for bluebirds. They are larger and more aggressive and will often evict bluebirds from their nests. The best way to deter starlings is to use a bluebird house with a 1 ½ inch entry hole, as starlings are too large to enter. Monitor the house regularly and remove any starling nests immediately.
What kind of predator guards are effective for bluebird houses?
Several types of predator guards are effective, including baffles, stovepipe guards, and cone guards. These devices prevent predators like cats, raccoons, and snakes from climbing the pole and reaching the nest. Make sure the guard is properly installed and maintained.
Should I put nesting material inside the bluebird house?
No, it is best not to put nesting material inside the bluebird house. Bluebirds prefer to build their own nests. Providing materials could potentially introduce mites or other parasites.
How far apart should bluebird houses be spaced?
Bluebirds are territorial, so bluebird houses should be spaced at least 100 yards apart to avoid territorial disputes. Eastern Bluebirds can be especially aggressive to others of their own kind.
What should I do if I find baby bluebirds that have fallen out of the nest?
If you find baby bluebirds that have fallen out of the nest and are uninjured, gently place them back into the nest. The parents will not abandon them because of your scent. If the nest has been destroyed, you can create a temporary nest from a small basket or container and attach it to the tree or pole as close to the original nest as possible.
What do bluebirds eat besides insects and berries?
While insects and berries make up the bulk of their diet, bluebirds will also eat fruits, seeds, and occasionally small invertebrates like snails. Supplementing their diet with mealworms, especially during nesting season, is highly beneficial.
Is it okay to move a bluebird house after it has been installed?
It is generally not recommended to move a bluebird house after it has been installed, especially if bluebirds are already nesting in it. Moving the house can disrupt the nesting process and cause the birds to abandon the nest. If you must move the house, do so during the off-season when the birds are not nesting.
What are some native plants that attract insects and provide berries for bluebirds?
Excellent choices include dogwood, serviceberry, viburnum, elderberry, and wild cherry. These plants provide both food and shelter for bluebirds and other wildlife. Avoid planting non-native invasive species.
How often should I check my bluebird house for nesting activity?
You should check your bluebird house at least once a week during the nesting season. This allows you to monitor for problems like starling nests, predator activity, or disease. Regular monitoring increases the chances of successful nesting.