Attracting the Eastern Bluebird to Your Backyard Nesting Boxes

Today I will discuss one of my favorite birds, the Eastern Bluebird.

 As someone who wants to help out our wild friends, research is vital. Many of us put out feeders and nesting boxes. I've witnessed over the years that animals do have the capacity to feel and mourn. So when putting out nesting boxes in hopes of attracting a particular species research is of the utmost importance.

The Eastern Bluebird prefers to nest in woodlands near clearings or meadows. These are their preferred hunting grounds. River or creek access is preferred by the Eastern Blue Bird, as two-thirds of their diet consists of insects and invertebrates. If you can say “I have these conditions” that is the easy part.

Now comes the part where doing your research plays a huge role! Inviting these beautiful birds to your yard could lead to heartbreak for a nesting pair. First the size of your nesting box must be considered. Second consideration is natural predators of the bird. The box should have good ventilation and the entrance hole should be 1 and a half inches in diameter. If the hole is too large, it can invite deadly raids by starlings. If there is a population of house Sparrows in the vicinity, they are small enough to enter the boxes, kill the bluebirds and destroy the nest. If you drill a 2 inch hole in the top of the box, sparrows will leave it alone as they don't like the light.

It was written by an activist that ”the most significant factor in the recent population recovery is volunteerism, by young and elderly people like you, doing their part by putting up and monitoring nest boxes, spreading the word, and encouraging others to get involved".

I have had breathtaking experiences with these birds and although I can't safely attract them to my yard, I help others in their efforts to rebuild the Eastern Bluebird population.

I encourage others to do the same.

Written by John Whittaker 

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