As of yesterday, I'm a Bluebird Grandma! My Bluebird chicks fledged from a five year old box that has never before been occupied and I'm so proud, you'd think I laid them myself! But that is at my campground in NJ, where we don't have House Sparrows or Starlings. Unfortunately, at my home in PA, both HOSP and EUST are present. So I make sure all of the birdboxes I put out have hole restrictors of 1 1/4" or less there. I have a House Wren nesting there this season.
Technically, there are some more localized and less common invasive birds that you can legally control in some states besides the main 3, such as Eurasian Collared-Doves in Texas.
Mark, are there any desired birds that will take out another nest . Last year I was devastated to find my tree swallows nest of feathers and the one egg they laid on the ground. I knew the house sparrows we’re hanging around but they didn’t seem to actually go to the box , the swallows were always protecting their house . Since she wasn’t sitting on the egg yet , guess the house sparrows took advantage. It would not of happened if I wasn’t at church because I always kept an eye out . The swallows keep trying to come back for a few hours but finally left 😢
There aren’t many species that should be able fit into the hole. House Sparrows are obviously can and have the reputation. Large birds like jays would if they could fit. A raccoon is a possibility but usually not during the daytime. Sorry for loss. Hopefully a new pair will take up residence
I mounted a Bluebird box on a locust post which is a little too close to a road near by. I do plan on moving post and box in the near future. No Bluebird has used this box. However, there is a large cocoon like nest in this box. I did see a bird fly from the box. After researching , and finding no info on this nest builder, what species of birds build such a nest?
Do you have any suggestions for putting a camera in my bluebird box? I would love to be able to live watch my birds. 😍 Good or bad idea? Which camera? Thank you for any suggestions.
I have no experience with the nest box cameras. I know a couple of people who placed them in larger boxes and direct wired them into their house and enjoyed them for a while but no one who has really kept it up for long. I know the cameras are getting smaller and wireless which is much better. I don't know of a reason it would hurt as long it is place at the very top so the young wouldn't hit it when they are bouncing around just before flight. Wish I could be of more help.
I need help with the house sparrows. I was told house sparrows DO NOT EAT LIVE MEALWORMS. However they recently arrived to my area and have been gobbling all the mealworms I set out for the hooded orioles and the song sparrows. Bluebirds don’t inhabit my area, coastal/shoreline San Diego, but orioles, warblers, and song sparrows do. It’s just kind of disheartening to see them eat all the mealworms I put out for the song sparrows and the orioles. Any tips? I also offer hulled sunflower hearts which other birds eat, and millet. Ironically, now that the house sparrows have discovered the live mealworms, they’ve been ignoring the millet. Only my mourning doves will eat the millet now. I was told that house sparrows did not eat mealworms and only ate millet. Well not in my backyard, they want those mealworms. Help 😱!!!
Almost all bird have to feed their young insects. While we do not have a big problem with house sparrows eating mealworms in our area, they are an incredibly adaptive species and am sure once they discover a free dependable source of food to feed their nestlings, they will take advantage of it. Unfortunately, even a caged mealworm feeder would not keep House Sparrows out as they are the same six as the bluebirds. They do love millet over most seeds so hopefully once they have fledged their young, they will leave the mealworms alone.
@@MarksBackyardBirds you’re right on the money! That has been my observation. I’ve seen them come to my backyard exclusively to pick up mealworms back and forth and have seen them take a good mouthful in their beaks (several at a time). At first I thought it could be the squirrel that was eating so many, but after sitting outside I realized it was the House Sparrows. I kid you not, right now, they’re all (song sparrows, house sparrows, hooded orioles) are going through about 300 mealworms in two hours worth and about 500 daily - 200 in the morning and 300 in the evening. I purposely set out food for dawn/sunset/dusk times to avoid my birds going out for food in the dark. Sadly, last year I lost a male hooded oriole to a cat that was looking for insects to feed his nestling at dusk. I was saddened by that and to see the mom on overdrive on her own looking for insects for her babies. That’s Why I now offer live mealworms at dawn/sunset/dusk - to avoid them being killed by cats - as statistically 83% of bird kills by cats happen at dawn/sunset/dusk. And it’s working very well! My birds arrive first thing in their morning and fill their and their nestling’s tummies in the evening as well. Thank you 🙏🏼 for your response, your insight, your knowledge, and all of your expertise! I enjoy watching all of your videos and learn so much from you. And yes, those house sparrows are so adaptive! Thank You!!!!
