Seasonally, bluebirds eggs in April and May (possibly in March for southern states). After the nest is complete, a bluebird may begin laying immediately or after a “bluebird honeymoon.” She will usually lay one egg per day, often in the mornings. Therefore, it is important to consider these things and more when monitoring or hosting your bluebirds.
Category: Bluebirds
Types of Bluebird House Designs – The Ultimate Guide
For eastern bluebirds, wooden nest boxes with an entry hole size of 1.5 inches, dimensions of at least 9 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches (though larger is better), good drainage and good ventilation are a great start. Other features may help with monitoring, preventing overheating or protection.
Wren Guards Prevent House Wren Attacks in Your Nest Boxes
The best way to prevent a house wren attack is to add a wren guard to your nest box as soon as the first egg is laid. This prevents possible nest abandonment by the parents since they are more invested in the nest, and prevents wrens discovering the nest hole. It’s very easy to make your own wren guard too.
Ultimate Guide & Checklist: Get Bluebirds to Use Your Nest Box
Top reasons bluebirds aren’t nesting in your nest box include an insufficient hole size, insufficient box size, using a birdhouse rather than a bluebird nest box, location, location amenities and competing species that take up a nest box preventing bluebirds from nesting.
Bluebirds Mate for Life Socially, But Sexually – That’s Another Story
Bluebirds often socially mate for life. However bluebirds will also engage with others who they are not socially bonded to. Molecular studies have confirmed some bluebird nestlings are from another male, though percentages of how often this happens vary widely between studies.
Eastern Bluebird Migration Plus 4 Ways To Help
Eastern bluebirds are considered partial migrators. Depending on the area of residence, individual bluebirds will likely reside in their location year-round. However flocks may migrate for better resources such as mating ability, food, roosting shelter or to escape the cold.
The Right Bluebird House Direction – Preference and Wind Information
It is best to point your bluebird nest box entry hole in the opposite direction of prevailing winds, usually southeast. However, prevailing winds differ based on your region. Scholarly evidence also suggests birds have no preference and may excavate a hole in other directions due to sun, shade or acoustics.
It’s Not Too Late to Set Up A Bluebird House
Even in late spring or early summer, it’s not too late to set up a bluebird house. Spending on the species, bluebirds have multiple broods a year between March and August. Furthermore, nest boxes give bluebirds an important roosting haven at winter time.
The Best Ways To Monitor Your Birdhouse or Nest Box
The best way to monitor your birdhouse with next to no disturbance is with a wireless nest camera as they give you full view of the nest without needing to open the box.
8 Eastern Bluebird Predators and How to Protect Them
Eastern bluebird predators include raccoons, cats, squirrels, snakes, chipmunks, raptors, opossums, bears, other birds and mammals.