Because house sparrows pin birds down while attacking in a nest box, two-holed bluebird nest boxes don’t always allow escape. A second hole may make it easier for predators to invade. But there are other advantages to these boxes such as ventilation, light availability, and feeding efficiency.
Category: Bluebirds
How to Protect Bluebird Nest Boxes from Cats: One Predator Guard is not Enough.
The best way to protect bluebird nest boxes from cats is to properly mount the nest box on a pole with a stovepipe baffle, and pair that with a Noel guard. Keep in mind, however, Noel Guards can conflict with wren guards.
Bluebird Nest Boxes – 10 Critical Features All Nest Boxes Should Have
Some of the important features for a bluebird nest box include an entry hole of 1 1/2 – 1 9/16 inches, floor drainage, kerfs, and a roomy interior. However, there are other important considerations, especially if you’re interested in adding a nest box camera later.
How Nature Stops Songbird Inbreeding / Incest: 2 Amazing Ways
There are several mechanisms that minimize songbird inbreeding risk. Two of these mechanisms, which are pretty strong are song discrimination and sex-biased dispersal. Despite these mechanisms, inbreeding can happen under certain situations.
Will Noel Guards Prevent Snakes?
Noel guards will not prevent snakes from invading a native cavity nesting songbird house or nest box. Snakes are able to maneuver through the guard, and the prongs from the hardware cloth won’t deter them.
How to Stop Snakes from Eating Bluebirds and Eggs?
The best way to prevent snakes from eating what’s inside your bluebird nest box is to mount your it to a metal pole with a tall stovepipe baffle that is at least 8 inches wide and 60 inches tall, though 24-inch baffles help and are readily available.
Eurasian Tree Sparrows Attack Bluebirds – Video Included
Eurasian tree sparrows attack bluebirds in nest boxes, even killing them. Observations are limited since Eurasian tree sparrow populations are isolated in small areas. But limited observations and video evidence shows they are a threat to bluebirds.
Are House Finches a Threat to Bluebirds? Surprising Answers
House finches are not a direct threat to bluebirds. They are not known for attacking bluebirds or invading nest boxes. However, there might be an indirect risk that house finches pose when it comes to bluebirds, and that involves the transmission of a common bacterium found in house finches.
Do You Clean Your Bluebird House After the Babies Fledge?
The standard practice is to always clean your bluebird house after the babies fledge . However, the amount of cleaning required differs depending on the situation, and why you should clean it is also important to consider.
House Sparrow Nests
House sparrow nests are usually found in nest boxes or other types of cavities and are constructed using various nesting materials such as straw, grass, feathers, litter and fiber. Other characteristics of a house sparrow nest are its size and tunneling architecture.