3
Keeping house sparrows out
of the boxes is the most
important monitoring task. If
they try to move in, be ruthless
and immediately toss their
nests. If you do this over and
over, they will eventually move
on.
Birds will not nest in boxes
where there are wasps. When
you see a wasp nest in the box,
spray pyrethrum in the hole and
cover it immediately. The
following day remove the wasp
nest.
If possible, monitor your
nesting boxes weekly. The best
way is to go quickly and quietly
to the box, open it, and look
inside. You may want to tap
softly on the box so any adult
birds can leave. If the female is
on the eggs, come back at a
later time.
Checking the box will not make
the parents desert the nest.
Also, touching the nest and
leaving your scent on it, will not
keep them away either.
The only time not to disturb
the boxes is when the young are
12 days old or older. If they
prematurely leave the nest,
they could fall to predators. The
only way to tell is that you
must follow the progress of the
young from the time they hatch.
If you accidentally cause the
fledglings to leave the box, put
them back in and put a hole
restrictor (false front with a
1-1/8" opening hole) on the box.
This will prevent the young from
leaving and the adults can
continue to feed them. Then, on
the same day, remove the
restrictor after it gets dark.
Keep a record when you
monitor the boxes. Number each
box. Then record such things as:
date, number of bluebirds seen,
empty box, partial nest,
complete nest, number of eggs,
number of young, age of young,
number fledged and make sure
to have room for any special
comments you want to add.
Bluebirds cannot make a
comeback without our help.
Each of us can make a
difference. You will know success
when sighting the colorful
bluebird is a common sight.
Highlights...
Size:
s
7 inches
Color:
s
Eastern brilliant blue above, white belly, red breast
s
Mountain brilliant blue above, light blue below
s
Western brilliant blue above with rust on its back, white
belly, blue throat; Females similar but duller in color
Habitat:
s
Open fields bordering woodlands, golf courses, open
parks, new developments with few trees, farms,
cemeteries, orchards
Food:
s
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, holly, sumac,
pokeweed, and poison ivy berries
How Long Does It Take.
Build nest: 1 to 6 days
Lay eggs: 5 to 7 days
Incubate: Eastern 12 to 14 days
Mountain 13 to 15 days
Western 14 days
Brood: 6 days
Fledge: Eastern 16 to 21 days
Mountain 19 to 23 days
Western 19 to 22 days
