My yard is surrounded by woods, so I will put the bird house inside my fence/yard area. A bluebird house should not be placed near houses, barns or dilapidated buildings, because these are the territories of house sparrows. If possible, the opening should not face the rain and prevailing wind. Features the proven, sharp-edged Noel Guard and restricts critters, including cats, raccoons and squirrels. Bluebird House Plans – Assembly. Bluebirds are cavity-nesting birds that live in trees, fences and downed vegetation. Although bluebird houses can be spaced an equal distance apart, the better option is to set up your bluebird houses in pairs. Face the entrance hole AWAY from the west, north, or northwest, as this is the primary direction that spring/summer storms come from. 3. Bluebirds are fun to observe for their color and wonderful to have around because they help control insect populations. They should be on a metal or wooden post with at least one predator guard to keep creatures from climbing up to the nest. Born and raised in West Virginia, Megan Hippler has been writing environmental articles since 2008. Try and install it in a location that is open or lightly wooded. Facing east is usually good for the amount of sunlight desired. Mount your bluebird house 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) high. Bluebird houses should be in rural areas or on the fringe of the suburbs. The bluebird house location should be in an area that is not within a quarter of a mile from a farm or barn. Fortunately, bluebird numbers are rebounding in recent years, primarily in thanks to the placement of suitable bluebird houses. Keep the box away from forested areas and away from barns to minimize this risk. Bluebird houses should be mounted at a height of from 5 LOCATION to 7 feet, measured from the ground to the floor of the Selecting a suitable location for the bluebird house is of house. More Bluebird Nest Box Plans: Bluebird House Plans That Keeps Nestlings Cool - These plans use air-gap construction and heat convection to draw cool air into the nest box on hot days. Bluebirds compete with sparrows and wrens for cavities, and risk snakes, raccoons, cats and other predators finding their nests. Location of nest box is an important decision. Korpella's work has appeared in a variety of publications. Robert Korpella has been writing professionally since 2000. To keep populations healthy, naturalists are urging people across the country to erect and tend bluebird boxes. Bluebird House Placement The Bird Man 2017-10-10T16:42:59-06:00 “Bluebird House Placement for Bird Safety is Paramount!” When it comes to attracting Western Bluebirds or Eastern Bluebirds the #1 factor is Bluebird House Placement. Assemble Sides, Back and Bottom. Knowing where to place and where not to place bluebird nest boxes is critical. Locate your bluebird box in an area relatively free from underbrush, in the open, but near a wooded area. Greasing the mounting pole with automotive grease helps. Nest Box Management. Sparrows are larger than bluebirds and make nests earlier, so they will outcompete the bluebirds for the houses. Her work has appeared on the websites of various state government departments. You may also grease the post, if desired. The distance of the floor from the bottom of the entrance hole in a standard bluebird box is typically 5 to 6 inches. The proximity of tree limbs is important for bluebirds to perch when hunting insects and for fledglings attempting their first flights. Place nesting boxes close to open areas; Don’t place bluebird houses closer than 125 feet from other bluebird houses. If so, knowing where to mount a birdhouse will make it more attractive to nesting birds. Placement of Nest Box. Always make sure the entrance faces the nearest shrub or large tree. Bluebird houses should be mounted 4 to 6 feet above the ground. These free bluebird house plans can help any birder build just the right size, shape, and style of the house to appeal to bluebirds and attract nesting bluebird pairs. 4. Carolina Chickadees, House Wrens, Tufted Titmice, Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows and White-breasted Nuthatches are some species that will readily use boxes erected for Eastern Bluebirds. Bluebird houses also should not face bushes or large amounts of brush, because wrens will take advantage of these houses. The fledglings will likely head to this perch during their first flight. In recent years, bluebird numbers have greatly diminished, but in some localities well-placed nest boxes along fencerows or in orchards have helped this handsome species maintain its numbers. Place them in pairs, 20 to 30 ft. apart, with 300 ft. between pairs. Mounting on trees and telephone poles is also permissible, but climbing predators such as cats are more likely to get into these houses. The North American Bluebird Society, Inc. is a non-profit education, conservation, and research organization that promotes the recovery of bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting bird species in North America. Sarah Barrick February 5, 2013. This package includes 2 Audubon Cedar Bluebird Houses, 2 Heavy-Duty 5-Piece Bluebird House Pole Sets w/Ground Socket, 2 Bluebird House Mounts, and 2 Portal Protectors 1-9/16". Mount the bluebird house on a metal or PVC pole rather than a wooden post so it is more difficult for these predators to climb. Description; Safeguard your bluebirds with an extra line of protection Bluebirds stay safe inside this birdhouse. www.nabluebirdsociety.org Bluebirds usually lay … Price: $119.95 $. Place the bluebird nest box in an open area away from trees, fences, houses or barns to avoid predators, nesting wrens or house sparrows. Urban sprawl, modern construction materials and high competition among birds makes it difficult for bluebirds to find safe nesting sites. North American Bluebird Society Approved. Bluebird houses should be spaced at least 100 yards apart so that mating pairs can maintain their territories without stress. (Never place a perch directly on the house itself.) Turn the entrance hole of the nest box to the south or east to keep the weather from summer storms out of the box. Fence posts are an option, but raccoons tend to traverse fences, so it is not the safest option. While bluebirds have been spotted in cities, they rarely nest there. The bottom of the front (D) will be flush with the floor (A). Hi, I live in Texas and I just got my first bluebird house. Low growth shrubs in front of the bluebird house are acceptable but trees and tree limbs should be between five and 25 feet away. Face the nesting box away from prevailing winds, which usually means positioning the box opening toward the south-southeast in most parts of the country. He is a certified Master Naturalist, regularly monitors stream water quality and is the editor of freshare.net, a site exploring the Ozarks outdoors. 2. Placing them in pairs provides one nesting place for bluebirds, and another for tree swallows and other birds who might otherwise compete for a single spot (with the bluebird often losing! Face the nesting box away from prevailing winds, which usually means positioning the box opening toward the south-southeast in most parts of the country.While the bluebird house can be mounted on a pole as high as 15 feet off the ground, it is best to keep the box between four and 10 feet from ground level. These birds are territorial within a two-to-three-acre area, so maintain about 100 yards between houses. Returning bluebirds are a welcome sign of spring—but in many places, it’s up to people to give them a home. Build a Bluebird Trail on your property with the Audubon Cedar Bluebird House Package with Pole Kit! Place away from dense cover (shrubs, thickets) and woods. Unfortunately, bluebirds rarely nest in … 5. I am trying to figure out the best placement in my yard that would be the most attractive spot to entice a bluebird to nest in. Since these birds are insect eaters, it is vital to make certain yards, pastures and open areas are free of pesticides. Bluebirds like open spaces. If competitor birds do take over a bluebird house, erecting a second bluebird house within 20 to 25 feet of the first one will often let bluebirds settle into the new home and leave the old one to competitor birds. Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Eastern Bluebird, United States Department of Agriculture : BLUEBIRD HOUSE Plans and Instructions. For bluebirds, the question of direction does not always refer to compass bearing, but rather the orientation the house opening faces to afford safety, comfort and convenience after the bluebird pair mates. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The North American Bluebird Society suggests pastures, low-traffic parks and “mowed areas such as cemeteries and golf courses.” All areas should be free of pesticides and herbicides. The availability of landing places such as low trees or gutters in the proximity of nest boxes is desirable to aid bluebird fledglings in their initial flight. Find a post to mount your bluebird house. FREE Shipping by Amazon. If placed along a road or highway, the bluebird house should open parallel to, or away from the road so the birds will not be hit entering or leaving their nests. ). Bluebird houses are easy to build from cedar, redwood or pine. The best places for bluebird houses are open areas scattered with a few trees or near the edge of a forest . Some underbrush is useful for drawing out the insects the bluebirds eat, but too much underbrush covers the insects too well. How to hang a birdhouse – including tips on placement, suitable nesting locations, and mounting a bird house. Place houses for swallows at least 30 to 35 feet apart, shelves for robins at least 65 feet apart, boxes for house wrens about 100 feet apart, 300 feet apart or more for wrens and bluebirds, and those for chickadees over 600 feet apart. A bluebird house should not be placed near houses, barns or dilapidated buildings, because these are the territories of house sparrows. Bluebird house placement. For example, pastures with scattered trees or … Fortunately, house sparrows seem to prefer to nest in boxes with round holes rather than boxes with slots or oval entrance holes. Only 7 left in stock - order soon. Bluebird houses can also be taken over by other birds such as wrens and sparrows. They cannot make the cavities, so they nest in areas that other creatures have made and abandoned, such as a barn owl house. Get it as soon as Fri, Nov 6. Place bluebird boxes 4’ to 6’ above the ground. When the temperature gets into the 90s during the summer months, birdhouses can … Sparrows are larger than bluebirds and make nests earlier, so they will outcompete the bluebirds for the houses. They should be set out by February 15. utmost importance. Sides should … Pre-drill holes and attach one of the sides (B) to the floor using 2″ finishing nails. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The bluebird is truly a bird of the fencerow, preferring cavities of rotted wooden fence posts. Mounting a birdhouse properly is critical to ensuring the safety of young birds. Hippler has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from Hollins University. Place the box about 5 feet off the ground on a wooden or metal pole. Bluebirds are territorial, and don’t like to have their neighbors too close by. Bluebirds are not social creatures so give them some room between houses. Duncraft Bird-Safe® Bluebird House & Pole with Noel Guard. Raccoons, snakes and cats can be big trouble for bluebirds. Erva 5 Piece Bird Feeder or Bluebird House Pole Set with Twist-in Ground Socket - Made in the USA. While a bluebird house should be in sunny location, the opening should not receive too much direct sunlight, if possible. Assemble back, sides, roof and bottom using nails. However, a properly placed bluebird house can provide the birds with a safer alternative and provide you with months of entertainment. Pre-drill holes and attach the front (D) to the floor (A) and side (B). If you have multiple houses, place them 100-300 feet apart. In suitable areas with a large sparrow presence, two houses can be placed at least 25 feet apart, because the sparrows will use one and leave the other alone. 4.1 out of 5 stars 22. Place bluebird nests on the east side of a tree, fence, or house to provide shade during the hot afternoon sun. Bluebirds are some of the most desirable cavity-nesting backyard birds, but they need a safe, attractive place to nest. Bluebirds liven up suburban neighborhoods and country lanes alike with their cheerful call and beautiful colors. The most important rule for orienting bluebird houses is to make sure the residents can see a perch nearby. Chickadees and titmice, for example, prefer nest boxes near or under mature trees or within woodlands and forests. Are you putting up a new birdhouse (nesting box) or repositioning an old one? That vegetation will provide convenient foraging for adults, and it is a safe and reachable escape for fledgling… Quantity: Add to Cart. In areas where old trees and woodpecker holes are hard to find, bluebirds will readily accept nest boxes to raise their young. These birds prefer the suburbs and rural areas for those reasons. While the bluebird house can be mounted on a pole as high as 15 feet off the ground, it is best to keep the box between four and 10 feet from ground level. Eastern Bluebird Nest Box Design. JCs Wildlife Ultimate Bluebird House (with Universal Mounting Pole, Blue and Gray) But even the finest bluebird house can fail to attract these picky creatures if it is not placed just to their liking. Select a location that offers an unobstructed view of the nesting box opening and an open flight path to the box. Item # 4481. $69.99 $ 69. An open lawn, an orchard, or field all work as an area for bluebird houses. 99. There are a few key factors to consider when you select the right spot for a bluebird house. Bluebirds are most common in rural areas and in the outer edges of suburban developments. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. A bluebird house should be mounted on a pole or post roughly 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) above the ground in a relatively open area, with the entrance facing a large tree or shrub 25-100 feet (7.6-30.4 m) away. Open yards, meadows, pasture land, orchards and golf courses are excellent locations for bluebird houses. Cut out all the birdhouse parts as shown on illustrations above. Bluebird houses should be installed in late fall or early spring. Mount the house between 4 and 6 feet high to make it harder for predators to get in, but at eye level for you to see in and check on the birds’ progress. By contrast, bluebirds like nest boxes out in the open; even a small yard with open spaces will suit a bluebird. Ideally, the nest box's opening should face toward trees or shrubs within 100 feet so young bluebirds have a place of safety for their first flight. Select an open area with scattered trees and sparse ground cover. European starlings and house swallows pose the largest threat to bluebird nesting, and these non-native birds will attack bluebird nests and destroy the eggs. Bluebirds prefer to nest in open areas with low or sparse ground cover. Avoid facing bluebird houses toward bodies of water as some experts claim it deters bluebirds from nesting. Placing two houses close to each other gives bluebirds a good chance of claiming a house and raising a brood without another species taking it first or even puncturing the bluebirds' eggs and demolishing their nest. It is easy to use the proper dimensions when building a birdhouse, but birders who prefer to purchase birdhouses should carefully measure first to be sure the size and proportions are ideal for bluebirds. The bluebird house should also have a slit opening rather than a round hole because that also helps to deter the sparrows which will take over the bluebird nesting environment if they are allowed to do so. The dimensions of the floors in traditional bluebird boxes are typically 4-by-5 inches. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas. The North American Bluebird Society, which provided the plans, says rural areas, cemeteries, golf courses and parkways with minimal human traffic are good places to mount these nesting boxes.Simply drive a 3/4-inch piece of electrical conduit into the ground and attach the house 5 feet above the ground with …