Bluebird Cultivation

Bluebird populations in the U.S. have dropped drastically because of loss of nesting sites. You can easily help rebuild the numbers while enjoying these sweet, attractive birds that also eat bugs, in rural or suburban areas, even if you do not own land yourself. I offer detailed reference sources, but this Instructable is primarily about lessons I learned myself from decades of cultivating bluebirds, tips you will not find in books. Bluebirds tolerate human presence, and are not aggresive, so it is possible to observe their life cycle up close. They provide a great nature learning experience for children, and youth groups can participate in a community bluebird project. Photo of Eastern Bluebird is from Texas Bluebird Society web page, courtesy of Bill Horn. To see my related Instructables, click on "unclesam" just below the title above or in the INFO box to the right. On the new page that appears, repeatedly click "NEXT" to see all of them.

Step 1 Bluebird house

I lived in my rural neighborhood for over a decade and never saw a bluebird. Someone gave me a bluebird box, I installed it early Spring, and a pair of bluebirds took up residence. I have cultivated the birds ever since, learning how to get an adult pair to produce up to 3 nests and clutches of eggs, up to 15 new little birds each season. As a direct result, I now see bluebirds all around my neighborhood. Bluebirds are very particular about the size, shape, height and orientation of their nest site. Humans have destroyed the naturally-occuring ones, but you can buy or build one that the birds will use and which other birds will not prefer. The baby birds will thrive best if you take care to keep insects and predators from getting to them. A metal pole mount, rather than a tree or electric pole, will help prevent predation by climbing varmints who make their living eating eggs and small birds. The dome, sold as a squirrel guard for bird feeders, does that and also stops snakes, which can climb a smooth metal pole.

Comments

[cheapchuck]

I wanted to mention a juice can predator guard. Remove both ends from a 6 ounce juice can, then cut it to length and form mounting tabs with some snips. Screw into place. These are the perfect size for Bluebirds too. Thanks for your Instructable, I really enjoyed it.

[whiteoakart]

I will try your tips. I have a bluebird house, but it is usually occupied by wrens. I guess I need to start an eviction program for the greater good!

[bad_apples]

Wren's will commonly try to tack over bluebird boxes. The mail wren will put sticks in the box. You can remove the sticks, but once an egg cup (a small grass nest) is established it is illegal to evict the wren. Federal law protects most native birds. If your house is invaded by house sparrows, you can trap and kill them as they are a non-native species. House sparrow nest will have garbage (plastic etc.) mixed in with the grass nest. A good idea is to put bluebird house in pairs, spacing the boxes about 20 feet apart. Usually a tree swallow will take one box and a bluebird will take the other. Tree swallows are very protective of their nest and by default will protect the paired bluebird nest. Bluebirds are ground feeders and tree swallows are air feeders so they don't compete for the same food. Visit www.bbrp.org for more info and tips.

[whiteoakart]

Thanks for the info, bad_apples.

[tradergordo]

Unfortunately you can't have wrens and bluebirds in the same yard. They will destroy each other's eggs. I like both types of birds so I kind of had to choose. The wren's are more successful and have a cool unique song/chrip. The bluebirds are cooler looking, but the snakes eat their eggs every single year (I'll try to add a snake guard next year).

[DiannaLynne]

My yard must be the exception. I have a BB house that has had BB's in it for years, peacefully coexisting with the wrens who nest nearby. They raise two or three nestings every year and eat pounds of bugs from our fruit trees. IMO, supply enough suitable environments and you can have several species of birds to watch. Thankfully, :::knock wood::: we don't have the sparrows giving the BB's grief. I also provide a couple of birdbath/fountains which are constantly crowded with a variety of birds and allow great birdwatching. My best tip to keep the snakes out is to be sure to mount the nest on a metal pole, not a fence post, which would make it easy for predators. I usually rub the bottom half of the pole with axle grease to deter ants and snakes, as well.

[austin]

so after you cultivate them you like eat them right? I mean Are they good on the grill?

[Neired82]

Don't be an ass

[static]

Hey, I had to grin. Somewhat expected someone was going to say it, given the word cultivate in the title. Life's too short to sweat spam and/or bad jokes. :)

[austin]

oh relax it was a joke.

[gptau]

(I apologize but thank you to make me laugh!!!)

[leebryuk]

Does anyone know if Blue Birds live in Central Florida (Tampa)?

[unclesam]

leebryuk, Eastern Bluebird range includes all of Florida. For best results, follow birds' preferences when locating and situating nestbox, as outlined in Bluebird Society's web page. U.S.

[i make shooting things]

dont forget a raccoon guard (Pdf instructions) raccoons are crafty critters and will find a way around snake guards you can make your own out of some chicken wire, the birds will still be able to go in and out it may take them a minute or two the first time they encounter one. It will also keep out cats. you can also find them at a bird store. Va bluebird Society has a good over view of blue birds.

[0.775volts]

my uncle has been doing this in southwestern wisconsin for about 30 years, the number of bluebirds in the area has increased amazingly. he checks the boxes once a week, but once bluebirds have established, he leaves it alone, he just cleans out the boxes when they have other birds nesting in them (Starlings are a problem in that area).

[theRIAA]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

[ewilhelm]

I just finished reading Steven Rinella's The Scavenger's Guide to Haute Cuisine where he mentions Floyd Van Ert's efforts to save Bluebirds by trapping English Sparrows. The invasive English Sparrows take all the available nesting areas and drive out the Bluebirds. Apparently Ert's sparrow traps are the best there are - we need to get him to post an Instructable!

[HamO]

My compliments on a great instructable and a great cause. Thanks for sharing.