A Bluebird house can
provide hours of enjoyment in your backyard.
However, bluebirds can be
picky when it comes to settling into a new home. They can also become victims of predators if their nesting
places are easily accessible. If
you wish to hang a new home for the Bluebirds in your yard, here are some
helpful tips to successfully attract a Bluebird family.
Bluebirds enjoy open
areas, so choose an area that is at least 200 feet away from heavy woods. However, 1 or 2 trees located within 50
feet of the Bluebird house will be useful for your Bluebird family. This will help fledglings go from tree
to tree during their first flights.
Try to hang the house near locations where you know Bluebirds enjoy perching. This includes fence and telephone wires
and posts.
Attempt to hang the house
on a smooth metal post. This will
keep predators, such as snakes and raccoons from climbing up to invade the Bluebird’s
home. A good rule of thumb is to
hang the house 5 to 15 feet up from the ground. Hang the house so that it is facing an area with short grass
that is frequently mowed. This
will help the bluebirds find food around this area, such as crickets and
spiders.
If you choose to provide
food for your new family, you will want to consider a few options. Bluebirds are capable of learning to
eat from feeders, but prefer mealworms and berries to traditional bird seed. Mealworms can be obtained through pet
stores, bait shops, and feed stores.
Hanging a Bluebird house
can be a fun and educating experience.
Watching a new family settle and grow in your own yard can provide more
entertainment than any piece of digital equipment. Enjoy your new friends!
Submitted by Erica
O’Donnell, World Bird Sanctuary Education Coordinator
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