Bluebird Nesting

 Spring is an exciting time for birders and it is just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare for the excitement of spring nesting.

 Bluebirds are a favorite here at the Backyard Birdshack. Their nesting cycle provides great entertainment for bird enthusiasts. Sometimes Bluebirds mate up before they arrive but quite often the male Bluebird appears first and begins looking for a mate. Once the mate is found, she usually has the final choice on where they will nest. Once they have chosen a nesting site, they begin the very busy activity of nest building. This is the best time to see the Bluebirds as they are constantly flying in and out of the nest box. Soon after the nest is built, the female will lay her eggs. Her clutch will be 3-5 eggs and she will lay one a day, usually in the morning hours. The next 12-14 days are the incubation period so the mother will not be seen too much. The male will still be out and about. His duties include foraging for food for his mate and himself along with defending his territory. After the eggs hatch, both parents will be very busy feeding the nestlings until they are ready to leave the nest; when they are about 16-21 days old. The parents and fledglings will probably stay around for awhile but at this point the nest box must be cleaned out. The nesting cycle starts all over again. Sometimes the same parents will use the nestbox; sometimes a new couple will use it.

 Prepare for your Bluebirds early. Put your wild birdhouse out in February if you live in the south; early March for Bluebirds in the north. That way you will be sure to accommodate the first nesting cycle. If you miss the first cycle it’s not too late. Sometimes Bluebirds are looking in early to mid summer for the next nesting cycle.

 Bluebirds are cavity nesters that will often use old woodpecker holes because they are unable to chisel their own hole. They need manmade birdhouses since they cannot always find an unoccupied hole. An ideal Bluebird house will have its own specific design qualities. The floor dimensions should be about 4 or 5 inches each way. It wants to be deep from the hole to the floor: about 7-8 inches deep. The entry hole is very important to limit competition from larger birds like starlings. It should be 1 ˝ inches in diameter. Make sure it has an access panel for cleaning and monitoring.

 Birdhouses need to be placed in very specific environments to attract Bluebirds. Along the edge of a large yard, field or pasture are the best places. Bluebirds are less likely to set up house in residential neighborhood because of competition with house sparrows. They will also stay away from wooded areas where they will have to compete with wrens for the birdhouses. Bluebirds prefer their houses to be between 4 and 10 feet above the ground. Eye level will satisfy them and allow you to clean and monitor the birdhouse without needing something to stand on. Try to face the birdhouse away from prevailing winds to afford them a little protection from driving rain. Try to have a tree or bush in clear view of the entry hole. The fledglings will need a nice safe place to fly to when they are ready to leave the nest.

 Bluebirds like a large territory. Allow at least 100 yards between houses for each Bluebird family. One way to help Bluebirds with competition is to place two houses about 25 feet apart. That will usually give the Bluebirds a place to nest and another family- perhaps Swallows. Should you have the room, create a Bluebird trail with multiple houses along your favorite refreshing walk.