Any bluebird enthusiasts here?

DanaS · Feb 21, 2008

Hi all,
I am about to embark on an attempt to attract bluebirds to our yard. I've purchased the typical bluebird houses, feeders, and feed, and have been reading up on the pretty little ones. Any one here have any interest or success with these birds? If so would love to hear your experiences and suggestions.
Thanks, Dana

Perks · Feb 21, 2008

I like them quite a lot, but never had to do much, they are always building nests in the newspaper cubby under the mailbox.

The only thing I'd caution is getting too close too, often if they do take up residence. Sadly, they will abandon the nest and whatever's in it, if they are too often disturbed. Found this out the hard way and at the expense of five little chicks.

Mayntz · Feb 21, 2008

I'm a fan of western scrub jays, which are "blue birds" but not likely the same you're interested in. They're nutters, though, and great fun to interact with.

Nancy · Feb 21, 2008

Hi DanaS:

We've had bluebirds on our rural property 3 of the 4 years we've lived here. We put the standard box out back and they arrived.

I do know that they are very territorial and a pair will not nest if there is another pair within about 3 acres. Also, swallows try to claim the nesting box first and they are very hard to keep away.

Interestingly, we've seen bluebirds most of the winter; I just saw one last weekend.

Good luck with yours. They are fun to watch.

Nancy · Feb 21, 2008

Oh, I just reread your message - As to feed and feeders, I didn't know such a thing existed. Ours eat bugs on the ground.

eldragon · Feb 21, 2008

We have quite a few pairs of Eastern Bluebirds this year. I see that some are already nesting in my purple martin house, even though I just put it up the first.

I would be interested in catering to them as well. I'll keep watching this thread!

alleycat · Feb 21, 2008

We always had bluebirds at my parent's house and my mother still does. The only problem we had was with those blasted starlings. They will chase the bluebirds away and take over their box, even if they have to peak the hole larger if it's a wooden box. I don't know whether starlings are a problem in your area or not.

Bluebirds seem to prefer kind of an "edge" area. They like the open space of fields, but also someplace where there's at least some woods or brush nearby (perhaps as a way to hide from predators).

Good luck with them.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Feb 21, 2008

Oooo, starlings! I hate those buggers! They'll bully everything away if you don't make your feeders unfriendly to them by 'caging' them. Our feeders have wire around them with holes that are too small for the Starlings to get to the food. It took a few weeks for them to give up, but they finally did and moved on. Now we can use any kind of feeder and just keep an eye out for the Starlings. When they come back, we quit filling the 'free' feeders, fill only the 'caged' ones, and they're soon gone again. We haven't had a problem with Starlings or Grackles for two seasons now.

Soccer Mom · Feb 21, 2008

I have bluebird houses and feeders all over my place. I don't have them farther apart than four feet. They also nest in my purple martin house. I provide cover around the bird houses in the form of shrubs and tall grasses. I don't feed them since they eat bugs, but I do have numerous water options for them including a mister in the summer.

awatkins · Feb 21, 2008

They appreciate a source of fresh, clean drinking and bathing water, so you might like to add a birdbath to your list.

(ETA: oops, didn't see Soccer Mom's comment about water before I posted.

)

As some of the others said, bluebirds are extrememly territorial; I've seen them fight off other bluebirds (sometimes all the way to the ground) to keep them away from their nest boxes.

We put up two bluebird houses, one in the front yard close to the feeder and one on a porch post at the end of our porch. Last year, the same pair used both boxes, alternating between the two for each batch of babies. It was really fun to watch.

Bluebirds are my favorite wild birds!

Gary · Feb 21, 2008

Eastern bluebirds are all over this part of Texas. I had several houses at the last place we lived. They visited every box, but seemed to have a favorite every year. One year, a single pair hatched four broods, beginning in February, and the last babies had their flight training in August.

Yes, they are territorial, but I find that an acre is usually enough for a pair. I put up several houses, because they get along fine with tree and violet-green swallows, and they are also great birds to have around.

Ditto on the water supply. I've seen as many as a dozen on the birdbath when the parents bring their babies to bathe. I've also seen them fly through the lawn sprinklers, then perch on a branch to wash their feathers and preen.

oarsman · Feb 21, 2008

DanaS,
There's a Bluebird society in our area. A number of other states and providences have them too. Our society has this helpful tip sheet on their web site.

I've had great success with one of my bluebird houses attached to a pole among some bushes, facing the open yard. (the "edge" area as alleycat mentioned above).

eldragon · Feb 21, 2008

What do you guys mean by bluebird houses?

alleycat · Feb 21, 2008

eldragon said:
What do you guys mean by bluebird houses?

Small "bird boxes" that are made especially for bluebirds. Bluebirds naturally build their nests in small hollows in trees rather than out on a limb, so a bluebird box encourages them to build where you put the box.

DanaS · Feb 22, 2008

Wow gang thanks for all this great conversation! I've also read that to assist in attracting them placing/painting a bright blue flag on the top will hopefully help.

We don't have any real feed stores in our area, does any know where I might find dried mealy worms (ick). I've also read that some times these birds will eat from your hand.

I'd really like to get a trail started, but I guess I should start with trying to get one pair to join our property.

I had seen a whole flock of bluebirds in a cemetary close to our home a few weeks back, that's what got my interest, however, I haven't seen them since. Hopefully, if the weather clears enough I can place the boxes, feeders, and water this weekend.

I also had read, somewhere, that if you place there typical nesting materials in a suet cage nearby, that will help as well. I so want these birds to nest-please keep the suggestions coming!! And thanks!

Dana

alleycat · Feb 22, 2008

DanaS said:
We don't have any real feed stores in our area, does any know where I might find dried mealy worms (ick).

Mealy worms . . . yum!

There's a place called Grubco that's well-known for mealy worms and mealworms and all sorts of "Fear Factor" type stuff (How 'bout some delicious waxworms?) Here's a link: http://www.grubco.com/ I'm sure there are other suppliers you can find online these days as well.

We never bother to feed the bluebirds at my parent's house (in Tennessee). By springtime when the bluebirds were around there were plenty of insects for them to eat. Still, putting out mealy worms might encourage the bluebirds to come check out your yard for possible residence.

Another possible problem you could have is with house sparrows. We always had a lot more problems with starlings than sparrows. I sometimes solved that problem . . . with a shotgun (sorry, PETA folks).

oarsman · Feb 22, 2008

eldragon said:
What do you guys mean by bluebird houses?

Some stores carry bluebird houses, but you can also build your own. On Google, search for "bluebird house plans" and you'll find numerous web sites that have free "blueprint" plans you can print out.

eldragon · Feb 22, 2008

Thanks everyone.

I bought two bluebird houses last night on ebay.

I know I could have made them, but what the heck.

eldragon · Feb 22, 2008

I used to have a pet starling and he ate dried bugs. I used to purchase them on line, and I think I still have a huge box someplace. I guess I'll sprinkle those around the yard later, but the robins and cardinals will probably gobble them up before the bluebirds get them.

It's interesting that someone mentioned you could feed bluebirds out of your hand, because yesterday I just happened to find myself standing in the backyard making noises at some bluebirds, and one actually swooped down towards me. I thought that was unusual for a wild bird, and now I'll have to try to feed them!

oarsman · Feb 22, 2008

eldragon said:
I know I could have made them, but what the heck.

I am still working on my bird house building skills. I have some that never made it to the yard and others that I've had to condemn. The best bluebird house I ever had was built by my neighbor down the road.

HeronW · Feb 22, 2008

Google 'bluebird feeders' and you'll get about 46K hits. I see they like mealworms. House-wise, any one you make or buy will need to 'weather' for about a year. While birds have hardly any sense of smell, they don't like newness. My dad built many feeders and birdhouses over the decades. He'd hinge the roofs so they'd be easy to clean over the winter. Whenever he put up a new house on a line or a tree, it'd be 9-12 mo. before a bird would check it out, then we'd see bits of straw sticking out. Houses need to be made per the type of bird you want too, right hole size for entry, multiple levels for those birds who like communal living, etc.

DWSTXS · Feb 22, 2008

I put out peanuts, it brings them.

also, tied a piece of blue ribbon up on a feeder. They see something same color they are, it attracts them. I also put up a yellow ribbon. I attracted a couple of yellow and green parakeets.

eldragon · Feb 22, 2008

DWSTXS said:
I put out peanuts, it brings them.

also, tied a piece of blue ribbon up on a feeder. They see something same color they are, it attracts them. I also put up a yellow ribbon. I attracted a couple of yellow and green parakeets.

Interesting little tidbit about the ribbons.

Thanks!

alleycat · Feb 22, 2008

eldragon said:
Thanks everyone.

I bought two bluebird houses last night on ebay.

I know I could have made them, but what the heck.

It helps if they're made so that you can clean them out at the end of the year.

It used to be that high school woodshops were good sources of birdhouses, but I'm not sure they do that sort of thing anymore.

HeronW mentioned letting a bluebird box age. Around here you can actually buy bluebird boxes that are make from old barn wood.

Also there's a great outdoor shop near where I lived called The Wood Thrush Shop. They are very nice folks. If anyone needs anything they can't find locally, let me know and I'll see if they carry what you need. I think they ship stuff by mail as well as in the store.

Soccer Mom · Feb 22, 2008

All of my bluebird houses were made by a local man who sells them for five bucks a pop at the fleamarkets around here.

Oh, except for a few that my son made. They're pretty easy if you have basic wood-working skills.

Any bluebird enthusiasts here?

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