![]() Bluebirds prefer running water, which can be accomplished by adding a dripper to the birdbath. Birdbaths are a simple way to provide that much-needed resource within your back yard. The third essential for bluebirds is an available water source close to their nesting sites. These plants provide food for other bird species as well. Another way to attract these birds is by planting native plants, such as flowering dogwood, holly, or pokeweed, to provide fruit. Fresh fruit and dried fruit such as blueberries or raisins can be used to attract bluebirds. Bluebird feeders are much like a bluebird house, having the same 1.5-inch entrance hole for the birds to enter.įruit is another good choice to have available when feeding bluebirds. These can be placed in a pan feeder or a bluebird feeder. Mealworms are excellent sources of artificial food that are readily available to buy in three different varieties: live, roasted and canned. A bluebird’s favorite meals include insects and fruit. These are just some of the specifications that are primarily to deter other species from utilizing bluebird nest boxes.Īnother requirement for bluebirds is an adequate food supply. The floor dimensions of the box should be 4 inches square. Also, no perches in front of the entrance holes are needed for bluebird boxes. A round entrance hole of 1.5 inches in diameter is required to prevent starlings from nesting in the boxes. One of the main considerations to keep in mind when building a bluebird house yourself is the size of the entrance hole. Instructions and dimensions on how to build nest boxes can be found online at several different websites, such as the North American Bluebird Society at. Nest boxes can be bought at most stores that sell bird feeders, or they can be built at home. ![]() In the absence of natural cavities, nest boxes are a must for these cavity-nesting birds. If you would like to create bluebird habitat in your back yard, three important essentials need to be provided: nesting areas, food and water. Recently though, bluebirds have made a comeback, thanks in part to the increase in manmade nest boxes. Also, increased populations of two non-native species, the house sparrow and the European starling, have greatly impacted our beloved bluebirds. One reason for this decline is loss of habitat or nest sites available. While they are a favorite among birders and non-birders, bluebirds have had a rocky past with populations declining almost by 90 percent within the last century. The Eastern bluebird, found in Alabama Land For Sale, with its vibrant blue color and rusty chest, is one of America’s favorite backyard birds to watch. Johnson, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries ![]() A smaller house is too easy for predators to access, and a taller house can be too difficult for young birds to exit when they are ready to leave the nest safely.By Carrie B. The rear of the house is usually slightly taller than the front, and the roof slopes down from the back to the front to provide cover and shade over the entrance. Total house height: The total height of a bluebird house can vary from 8 to 12 inches.Ideally, the interior floor space of a bluebird house should measure 5x5 inches to accommodate the entire brood snugly but without too much excess space that can chill hatchlings. Interior floor space: Bluebirds raise three to eight chicks in each brood, and a large brood of growing hatchlings can quickly become crowded if the house is too small.Adding rough scoring or a piece of mesh below the hole inside the house can help birds reach the entrance when they wish to exit, but it is not strictly necessary, as their talons are ideal for climbing inside the house. This distance also provides enough space that predators cannot easily reach hatchlings or brooding adults from the outside. ![]() This ensures that growing hatchlings are not able to tumble out of the opening. Entrance height: The entrance hole should be 6 to 10 inches above the floor of the birdhouse.It is wise to regularly repair the entrance hole with a sturdy block or plate to keep it at the appropriate size and keep larger, unwanted birds from investigating. Over time, holes gradually enlarge as edges are worn away by talons, inquisitive hatchlings, and general wear. The hole should be 1 1/2 inches in diameter for eastern and western bluebirds, though mountain bluebirds occasionally prefer slightly larger holes that are 1 9/16 inches in diameter. Entrance hole: The entrance size is the most critical dimension for a safe, effective bluebird house. ![]()
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