Range: Eastern Bluebirds are year-round residents in the southern United States. They typically begin nesting as early as January in the south and in March in the northern United States and southern Canada. They are also found in parts of Mexico, Central America, and Bermuda.

Bluebird houses should be placed so that the opening faces AWAY from prevailing winds. If you are in North America, this likely means that the opening hole of your bluebird house should be facing East. HeightA Peterson birdhouse is a slanted box that is usually made of wood. The entrance is angled downward. It has a 1 ½ inch circular hole located in the center of the hatch door which serves as the bluebird’s entrance to the nest. The ideal placement for a bluebird house is between 5-15 feet away from buildings and other houses as well as any areas of high human traffic. The bluebirds need to have a clear line of sight between their nest box, the nearby ground, and potential food sources like open fields or meadows. Nest boxes can be mounted directly to trees. But, these trees should be isolated from other structures or trees that may allow a snake to get to the nest box. You should use the large acetate sheets around the trunks to dissuade snakes. What I love about this product is that it works as a bird feeder and a birdhouse. It is pretty useful and at the same time decorative and complements our garden. Also, this product has the right size of the hole for bluebird house. I filled the ledge with a variety of bird seeds, and to my surprise, we had warblers, goldfinches, and little blue jays inspect the box and munch on the treats. When spring comes, I take a break from filling the feeders so the bluebirds can nest and rear their baby birds. The double-layered floor also helps keep pest insect larvae away from the nesting space. Although it is more costly than other options, the Whitehorse Premium Cedar Bird House is a high-quality product that will please any bird lover. Pros

Another important factor to consider is predator protection. Unfortunately, birds are often preyed upon by snakes, raccoons, and other animals. Bluebirds prefer to nest within, or on the edge of grasslands. So, you need to have a location that you can mount your nest box. Regular residential lawns are good locations for Bluebird Houses, as long as there is enough open grassland to support them. The North American Bluebird Society (NABS) has developed standards for bluebird nest boxes, which are based on over 50 years of research. If you’re interested in building or buying a nesting box, we recommend following these guidelines: To avoid attracting predators, dispose of the old materials from the birdhouse. 14. Bluebird Nests Are Made of Woven Grass No, bluebirds do not require a perch on their nest box. In fact, perches can actually be dangerous, as they can give predators a place to perch while they reach into the box to steal eggs or young birds. Can I mount a bluebird house on a tree?A new study compared tree mounted nest boxes with, and without this acetate sheet wrapped around the trunk. The results were significant. Of the unprotected trees, 15% of the nests were raided by snakes. But for the protected birdhouses, only 1 (2%) was successfully raided. [2] This bluebird house is a box-shaped nesting house that is made of wood. Just like the slot bluebird house, it has a hatch door to access the bird and the nest if there is a need. The only difference between a Gilwood and a Peterson is that the Gilwood’s entrance is a semi-circle hole with 1 ½ inch diameter that is located at the top of the hatch door. In addition, there is a small wire which reduces the clearance for larger birds. This way, the bluebird inside the box will not be disturbed or predated by larger and invasive birds in the area. Bluebirds can be highly territorial and social, both depending upon the need of the situation. They prefer cavities to build homes and may end up using the same nest after one breeding season. You can build nest boxes for them and attract them with mealworms.

Birds & Blooms: Easy one-board house plan with step-by-step instructions and diagrams for proper construction. It should also have a double roof and be a minimum size of 6″ x 6″ x 9″ (HxWxD) for Eastern and Mountain bluebirds, 7″ x 7″ x 10 1/2″ (HxWxD) for the Western bluebird. What Color Houses Do Bluebirds Prefer? Mounting: One 1/2”x5’ galvanized metal conduit, one 1/2”x4’–5’ steel rebar (for stake), and one conduit coupler

Identifying the Right Location

Bluebirds have a low-pitched, shrieking song divided into numerous phrases, each with 1-3 short notes. Whistles may be mixed with louder chattering sounds. The tune lasts around 2 seconds in total. Unlike several other songbirds, male bluebirds do not expand their beaks open when singing. The Eastern Bluebird is considered the official bird of Missouri and New York, both. In 1970, the bluebird was designated as New York’s official state bird, 20 years after its population was considered low. Temperature control is important in a birdhouse because it helps to protect the birds from extreme weather conditions. When all considerations are weighed, the Peterson style or sloped version of the traditional nest box is the best type of Bluebird House to make or buy. They both offer protection from rain, and are more difficult for a cat, squirrel, or raccoon to reach into. But- if you already have a traditional or round PVC house on hand, you should by all means use them. Once all of the features of this birdhouse have been considered, I can say that Gilbertson Bluebird House manufactured by Dutch Crafters is an excellent product. It is durable, easy to clean, and most importantly, weather-proof and rot-resistant. If you need to get a long-lasting birdhouse for the bluebirds in your area, this one is absolutely top-notch! 12. Kettle Moraine Eastern Bluebird Nest Boxes

Make sure there are plenty of insects and other sources of food nearby. You should also provide water sources such as a birdbath or shallow pool for the birds to drink from. Mount your bluebird house about 5 feet off the ground When selecting the exact placement for a bluebird house, it is important to choose an area that receives plenty of direct sunlight.

Bluebirds are not suitable as pets. They might be lovely birds, but they do not adapt well to living in captivity. Keeping any of the three Bluebird species as a pet is prohibited. You may, however, construct nest boxes in your yard. They are easily attracted to locations that provide them habitat and nesting materials. The feather’s small air spaces and melanin pigment nanocrystals disperse blue light while absorbing other wavelengths. The feather’s much more delicate structure collects the reflecting blue wavelengths and sends them outward, which results in the various hues of blue that our eyes perceive. Single males sing this song from an elevated perch or in flight, usually in an attempt to attract a partner. Safe Home for fledglings: Bluebird House Predator guard around the entrance hole can protect young birds against predators. Interior grooves, like a small ladder, help young birds leave the nest, especially swallows and bluebirds Feeding: Western Bluebirds eat insects in warm weather, and fruits and berries in winter. Mistletoe and juniper berries are favorites, and they love mealworms at feeders. They are often seen “fly catching” or foraging on the ground, using low branches as a jumping-off place. Mountain Bluebird Basics