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.
Category: Bluebirds
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.
Live Mealworms vs. Dried Mealworms for Birds: Which is Best
Live mealworms are the best choice for birds during hot weather, and during the nesting season since they are also a source of hydration for nestlings. Freeze-dried mealworms are a good choice for general feeding since they have higher protein content. But there are pros and cons to both.
Best Predator Guard for Bluebird Houses and Nest Boxes
The best predator guard for a bluebird house or nest box that is commercially available is a stovepipe baffle that is at least 8 by 24 inches. However, making your own, taller baffle will offer your bluebirds substantially more protection.
Do Chickadees Invade Active Bluebird Nests and Harm Eggs?
Very rarely will chickadees invade active bluebird nests, peck the eggs and take the nest over. However, this extremely rare behavior has been reported by bluebirders. All cavity nesting birds can potentially behave like this, but there are ways to protect active nests.
Are House Sparrows and Starlings Predators of Bluebirds? What Ecology and Science Says
House sparrows and European starlings are often misclassified as predators of bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds. However, they are not predators by definition. Instead, they are invasive competitive species.