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Blue Bird House

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Blue Bird House

The bluebird is a beautiful North American native species that has been in decline until recently because of competing house sparrows and starlings which commandeer the bluebirds natural nesting site. The recent upsurge in numbers is largely due to many people building a blue bird house in the area to attract the protected species. 

A bluebird will instinctually select a natural cavity, often the abandoned holes created by woodpeckers, that is near open ground and a few trees. These birds survive by eating bugs from the ground, such as worms and grubs. Bluebirds are great around organic gardens. They avoid densely wooded forests as well as completely tree less fields, dense ground cover and urban areas. This is also the preferred habitat for crows, starlings and house sparrows, the latter two are non native species which often outcompete the small bluebird. During the 70s numbers had declined so low the species was in trouble which led to its protection and eventual resurgence.

Thousands of volunteers, members of audubon societies and concerned citizens began building and buying specialized houses designed specifically for hosting bluebirds and their nests. A blue bird house has a few technical features that prevent invading and competing species from using the house, and allow you to peek inside for a close-up view of eggs or even baby birds. This door into the side of the birdhouse also allows the owner to check for sparrow nests which can be removed if discovered. The outside of the house is also left rough and unfinished, the rougher the wood the better because this mimics their natural nesting ground. There is also no perch by the hole, only a few rough cuts beneath the hole for traction. There is plenty of grip for a bluebird, but a sparrow needs a perch to enter. A 1 1/2 inch hole is ideal for eastern and western bluebirds, mountain bluebirds require a slightly larger 1 9/16 inch hole.

Be sure to give the bird house at least 300 feet of space between other bird houses, blue birds are very territorial, but if sparrows are likely to be a problem try building a bird house for them as well and space them at least 10 feet apart. The house should be at least 5 feet from the ground to prevent predators from getting any bright ideas. Bluebirds will tolerate houses up to 15 feet in the air, so err high, but having them accessible is also important so a volunteer can inspect the nest. The entrance should also be pointed away from the sun and prevailing winds if possible.

Inspecting the nest is important for a blue bird house. Since many songbirds, the bluebird included, have a poorly developed sense of smell they will not smell any human intervention. Checking on eggs and nestlings can ensure that more baby bluebirds survive another day. With a little bit of human intervention this species will survive to sing another day.