This is a good way to keep the box about five feet off the ground. 20 Years Later, Their Bond Endures. We don't have bluebirds in our whole country, but after enjoying these pictures, I'd like some! We'd love to hear about your experience! It should be 1/8" down from the bottom of the bevel. The screw for the left sides that are on the front and the back must be in line with each other, otherwise the left side won't swing. This way, the smooth side can be out on each side. Conduit straps attached to the back work well for mounting. Song is a blurry whistled series of notes, which some people translate as "Cheer cheerful charmer . But, if you are new to bluebirds, you might be a bit apprehensive and wonder if As someone who loves to watch hummingbirds, I'm always amazed at how fast they buzz around. . Keep the entrance hole about 5 feet above ground. Numerous bluebird societies recommend cedar because it's both decay and insect-resistant. Learn more about house wrens in the article I wrote called 10 Other Birds That Nest in Bluebird Houses (click here to read the article).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bluebirdlandlord_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bluebirdlandlord_com-leader-2-0'); Since house wrens are a protected species in the US, and you cannot legally remove house wren nests from your bluebird houses, your best option is to avoid their preferred territory brushy and wooded areas. Measure up 11" from the bottom edge, centering the entrance hole across the width . Heres how to build a DIY bluebird house. Baffles are essential on poles or posts to deter birdhouse predators, and further protect both the adults and nestlings. Eastern and western bluebirds have a reddish brown . Get creative! Stop by and try best breakfast in Iowa for yourself. Enjoy! Corned Beef Hash and Eggs Breakfast $10.53. Beyond that, following the tips mentioned above should help you make the best decision possible. Read our, How to Hang a Birdhouse and Mount a Nesting Box, Determining the Right Birdhouse Dimensions and Sizes, Birds That Use Birdhouses and How to Attract Them. Read more about Butlers bluebird trail in this Medium.com article linked here. I didnt have a lot of extra time just to dwell on what had happened, so Im grateful for whats happened, and for how fast time has gone by.. Attach the floor with 2-inch finishing nails on the front, back and right side. We used the sliding square to help keep the saw straight. After you having finished beveling the back part, it's time to measure and cut the roof. Unfortunately, they are not assertive, and more aggressive species can easily drive bluebirds out of prime nesting spaces. Submit your questions here! Bluebirds prefer large expanses of short grass with a clear flight path, ideally facing a field. "Grant Park is a 98-acre river valley recreational area so pretty it was featured on the cover of Our Iowa magazine a few years ago." . Keep children and pets out of the workshop while creating the birdhouse. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. He also subscribes to "Our Iowa" magazine, which promoted bluebird habitats in the February-March 2021 issue. Like Like. Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum: Cedar waxwings nest in small evergreens or deciduous trees in edge habitat. Fasten the left side to the front with a 1-5/8-inch deck screw near the top (drill a pilot hole first). 100% Complete . Contact the advertising department at (515) 296-4118 for ad prices or more information. There were lines to come into my neighborhood of cars for people that had placed orders, Kristy, 35, says. For mountain bluebirds, create a 1.5625 inch (3.969cm) hole. 1. Now you're almost done! Install a bird feeder about 100 feet from their bluebird house for best results. Make a mark 3/8" in from the reference line you just made, and pre-drill a little deeper, just like the other left side screws. We focus on providing our neighbors and friends with advanced technology and exceptional customer service. First order of business, you want to measure 4" from the 4' board. After cutting out all of your sides of the birdhouse, you should have a piece of wood that is approximately 1' 1 3/8", or 13 3/8". if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'bluebirdlandlord_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_14',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bluebirdlandlord_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');So, yes, you can hang bluebird nest boxes from trees. With the right bluebird house positioned properly to attract tenants, any birder can become a bluebird landlord. American goldfinch. These Audubon bluebird birdhouses are simple, well-built, and untreated. All burger & tenderloin preparations are available with grilled chicken breast or our house-made, vegan black bean burger. First, take the piece you have just cut out, and measure 7 1/4" up from the bottom. Approved. Admittedly, this five-feet-off-the-ground rule has more to do with human preference than the preference of bluebirds. ", https://www.audubon.org/news/diy-build-bluebird-box, https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/woodworking/build-bluebird-house, http://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/bluebird-house-plans.html, Costruire una Casetta per l'Uccello Azzurro Orientale. Sparrows, wrens, and snakes are known to target bluebird homes. Now just like before, you pre-drill the hole, then put the screw in. 7) Gilbertson Bluebird Nest Box. Theyd select abandoned cavities in dead trees or rotten fence posts to raise their families. Bluebirds should be arriving soon in Iowa, so now's a great time to clean out those bluebird boxes, or if you don't have one yet, to build your own! Chat. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Sparrow shield: Another option is to install an aluminum metal ring hung by a bracket with heavy monofilament lines that extend below the bottom of the house. Drill a hole on the hinged side 2 inches up from the bottom and 1/2 inch in from the side. It can be difficult, but as you work on it, it gets easier, because you will be repeating many steps and using the same measurements. If you have the money, purchase 2 drills to avoid switching drill bits. First, you want to look at you right side piece, and make a mark 1/8" up from the bottom. This must be installed on the bluebird house before the sparrows make contact with the home. Note: In areas where two species of bluebirds overlap, opt for the larger distance of space between nest boxes. Mount your bluebird house five feet off the ground. Over 150 Bluebird essentials to attract more birds this year. Feed bluebirds in the morning before they set off for the day to hunt. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. This sounds like the work of a house wren. If they set up house in your yard and encounter other cavity nesters they deem too close for comfort, theyll pierce the eggs of other species and carry them off. These two types of bluebirds have . Once a house is mounted, it should be inspected regularly but can be left out year-round for roosting birds. I will make sure the hole is 1 1/2 inches. After you drilled the hole all the way through, measure 1/2", and use your square to make a line all the way to each end. For western bluebirds or eastern bluebirds, drill a 1.5 inch (3.8cm) hole. Set the piece you just cut out aside, and make another measurement at 10 3/8" on the long board and cut it out. Position the floor 1/4 inch up from the bottom of the nest box. After you successfully attached the right side to the back piece, it's time to attach the bottom. It was incredibly emotional, but it was also really incredible. Use a spade bit, hole saw, or adjustable size hole bit with your drill to create the hole. Hello! This seems like common sense, since natural cavities, like woodpecker holes, would be sturdy and would not sway from side-to-side. Bluebird Reuben House-corned beef, sauerkraut & Swiss with a snappy, sweet mustard sauce on marbled rye. I have included pictures to help you understand. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=3108d1b0-63fc-4616-9fcb-0add6b6278fa&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "3108d1b0-63fc-4616-9fcb-0add6b6278fa" }).render("5212e74440ae48d78157447a3a77ab51"); }); The swing-open side is convenient, also. A bluebird house should be mounted on a pole or post roughly 4 to 6 feet above the ground in a relatively open area, with the entrance facing a large tree or shrub 25 to 100 feet away. More specifically, 5 from the ground to the bottom of the birdhouse. Ill also answer some questions you might be asking as you decide on the best nest box location in your own yard. Magazine Label - Your account number is the first 10 digits after "OIA" above your name and address. Follow These 10 Steps to Start Attracting Bluebirds, Attract bluebirds to your yard with my "10 Steps to Become a Bluebird Landlord". Basically, Our Iowa allows Iowans to "talk to each other". Sioux City Homes For Sale at 4100 SHERWOOD TERRACE, MLS# 820072 for Sale - Browse maps, Photos, and description for 4100 SHERWOOD TERRACE, Sioux City, Iowa 51106 at RE/MAX Preferred. Share. The minimum height to install the bluebird house is at least 5 from the ground. Purchase a twist bit to pre-drill the holes. . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bluebirdlandlord_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bluebirdlandlord_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Now, lets look at the third guideline for where to place your bluebird house. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon March 26 at Central Park Nature Center in Center Junction. Before you move on to the step, check and make sure that the roof ends are squared. The bottom has many unique features that will all be covered in this section. If you don't have a rough and a smooth side, you just need to make sure that you have your beveled edges going the right way. You don't want to overpopulate your yard, especially when they reproduce. That is how to attach the right side. This is where the birds will enter. Iowa's natural resources plates include the state bird and flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout. Use a ruler to draw a cutline from one 12.25 inch (31.1cm) side to the opposing side 1.5 inches (3.8cm) downward. Thats the distance that the North American Bluebird Society recommends to avoid having territory issues with this species (source).Brushy and wooded areas attract competitive House WrensPhoto byferjfloresis licensed underCC BY-SA 2.0. Now, to keep it from swinging open, make a reference line just like before, but on the bottom. Email. America's #1 backyard birding and gardening magazine! Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. "Grant Park is a 98-acre river valley recreational area so pretty it was featured on the cover of Our Iowa magazine a few years ago." . European starlings and house sparrows, both invasive species, will easily usurp nesting cavities, evicting bluebirds in the process. Place either in a mealworm feeder or in the same location each day. Next, learn how to build a one-board DIY birdhouse. Based on field observations, a mated Bluebird pair is more likely to abandon its eggs if either the male or the female has died. CEDAR ALPHA Bluebird House. Don't mount your bluebird house too close to buildings. The eastern bluebird is a colorful thrush of open forest edges. Turn the box over and attach the back to the left side of the box (the one with the hinge) with a 1-5/8-inch deck screw. My first bluebird house was actually close to my house (I mentioned it was about 30 feet from our dining room window). Updated March 13, 2018. It is larger than a sparrow but smaller than a blue jay and can be found everywhere from Canada to the Gulf States and East of the Rockies. housing accessories. Reply. Feed bluebirds in the morning before they set off for the day to hunt. Unfortunately, house wrens tend to be very territorial, and they regularly destroy bluebird eggs and nestlings when they perceive that they are competing with bluebirds for a nesting location. The female is paler below. By using our site, you agree to our. When they do, theyll swoop down and grab their prey. Make sure it is mounted 5 to 10 feet off the ground. Once you have these beautiful residents in your yard, it will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience to be a bluebird landlord. It is important to place your bluebird house at least 50-200 feet away from brushy or heavily-wooded areas to avoid competition with house wrens. They may appear here or in a future issue of the magazine. Bluebirds probably choose east-facing nest boxes more often to avoid the afternoon sunlight overheating their nests, and/or to avoid prevailing winds and storms. To learn how to install your bluebird house after you build it, scroll down! If you end up having persistent problems with house wrens competing for your bluebird houses, try following some of the suggestions I wrote in this article: How to Keep House Wrens Out of Bluebird Houses (click here to read the article). The Eastern Bluebird, also known as Sialia sialis, is a member of the thrush family. Claim this business. In the early 1900s, when Althea Sherman began noticing House Wrens nesting in her backyard in Iowa, she was delighted. What is the best bluebird house placement to attract bluebirds to nest in my backyard? asks Liza Peniston of Augusta, Kansas. You can check for nests of unwanted birds (since house sparrows and European starlings are not protected by law, simply remove their nests) and have easy access for cleaning out the bluebirds nesting materials after the young have fledged. Sand the edges to make each corner rounded. She has many favorite birds (it changes with the seasons), but top picks include the red-headed woodpecker, Baltimore oriole and rose-breasted grosbeak. Size: 6.5 to 8.5 inches. She's been with the brand in various roles since 2007. 3. First, you can make a reference line using your square and a pencil, make a line from the middle of your screw to the other side. That vegetation will provide convenient foraging for adults, and it is a safe and reachable escape for fledglings when they first leave the nest. Iowa Bluebird Conservationists . Shop our entire collection of Bluebird Houses, including our exclusive line of Bird-Safe houses designed specifically for Bluebirds. Theyd walk up the driveway with Kleenex in their hands and tears on their faces before they even met us., RELATED: Iowa Husband Re-Proposes to Wife with Breast Cancer: In Sickness and In Health, Ill Always Love Her, As more orders came in, Ron went to work, and took special care with each home he built. Bluebird houses should be placed so that the opening faces AWAY from prevailing winds. For Ron, this unexpected journey has helped in his healing, and he feels surprised by how fast the year has passed. bluebird boxes, built by Dale Schrad and installed on south campus April 1, may already hold bluebird nests. ", entry hole. The house needed correct size for, "To have the front facing a tree so the little babies can have a straight shot at a safe haven when leaving the, "The cut list is helpful also the description of how to build the house was very good and helped a lot. Learn more ways to attract bluebirds and how to monitor bluebirds. 10 months ago Neighbors left and friends left, and all of a sudden youre all alone.. Doing this makes it easier to make the screws aligned. After you have fully cut your pieces, it is time to assemble your birdhouse. 8) Peterson Bluebird Nest Box. However, you may only want to do this in areas where you are worried about vandalism to your nest boxes, like at public golf courses. Lay the front piece on your assembled piece so it is flush (even) with the bottom of the right side, and so it lays flush on top of the right side. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Price: $179.95 Add . There are jaw-dropping photos of our beautiful land . 14 Questions About Hummingbird Feeders Answered by Experts, Birding Guidelines: Birdhouse Hole Size Chart, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information, One 4-foot 1-inch x 6-inch rough cedar board, One 10-1/2-inch 1-inch x 10-inch rough cedar board. Jimmy Carter Has Melanoma in His Brain: 'I'm Perfectly at Ease with Whatever Comes', Neighbors Help Gay Man Paint House in Rainbow Stripes After He Faced Threats, Boy Surprises Tennessee Police Officer with Letter of Appreciation and Random Act of Kindness, Calif. Police Help Recreate Custom-Made Wedding Ring Man Lost 13 Years After Wife's Death, Dad Starts Meaningful Christmas Tradition with 2-Year-Old Son After Wife's Death, Iowa Husband Re-Proposes to Wife with Breast Cancer: In Sickness and In Health, Ill Always Love Her, Woman Whose Neighbors Made Her Dying Wish Come True Loses Her Battle with Cancer. It whistles its gentle, musical "chir-wi" or soft "tru-a-lly" near open grassy parks, fields, roadsides and old orchards. *, 1 x 8 Cedar Board (10 1/2" long, used for the roof) *Actual measurements are 13/16" x 9 1/4". Nest boxes help maintain bluebird populations that have declined by as much as 90%. His family had returned home after Pats funeral and there he was, by himself, in the Hamel, Minnesota, home he had shared with his sweetheart for so long. He's worked at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter since 2017 and has interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. If you decide to install bluebird houses in pairs next to each other, keep them 5 to 25 feet (1.5 to 7.6m) apart. Not just for closets, cedar is the ideal choice for a bluebird house for the same reasons why it's used to protect your wardrobe. After marking the 10 degree space, cut from the opposite corner down to the 10 degree mark. Claimed. They're open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. It also deters predators from reaching in and attacking the nest. Just a few things for clean up and finishing touches, and you'll be good to go! Bluebirds prefer to nest in open areas with low or sparse ground cover. There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but the Eastern Bluebird is the only species found in Iowa. Pre-drill and drill in the screw. Time is the ultimate healer, but it was also my worst enemy. You made the lines so the birds could grip to the house, and this is better than putting a peg in, because predators can grab onto the peg and reach into the house. Just remember that placing the nest box in and around an open area will be important for attracting bluebirds.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bluebirdlandlord_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bluebirdlandlord_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Bluebirds love to hunt from low perches. Shopping Cart. Do that to each meeting point. If a bluebird house is too low, predators like snakes, raccoons, and cats might be more tempted to reach into the box. Make sure that when you cut it, you don't trim any of the top, because you do not want to change the length. Get one of these bird houses on Amazon here, click here to check out my Recommended Tools page. The drooping lines force a bird to fly between them to enter the box, which thwarts sparrows but not bluebirds. Magazine Type. He has a B.A. He even began placing a small blue plaque to each house that reads, Made By Ron Rudolph, In Loving Memory of his Wife, Pat., It has catapulted our healing process to see so many people that were touched and inspired by how we were dealing with the loss, Kristy explains, and how we came together to use our hands to work together through such a painful time.. 9) The Carl Little Bluebird Box. Steve Lekwa: Get those nest boxes ready. Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. The front will have features that are for this birdhouse. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Butler fledged 81 bluebirds from 18 nest boxes in 2020 alone! A stalwart olio of potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips and corned beef. Create a 1.5-1.5625 inch (3.810-3.969 cm) entrance hole in the front piece. Simply drive a 3/4-inch piece of electrical conduit into the ground and attach the house 5 feet above the ground with conduit straps as shown at right. Bluebird Eggs Breakfast $9.18. Overpopulate your yard, especially when they do, theyll swoop down and grab their.! Own yard populations that have declined by as much as 90 % Amazon... Common sense, since natural cavities, like woodpecker holes, would be and... Down to the front with a clear flight path, ideally facing a field one of bird. A good way to keep the box about five feet off the ground 4 '.... Of bluebird houses, including our exclusive line of Bird-Safe houses designed specifically for.! Azzurro Orientale we feature sounds like the work of a sudden youre all alone cm ) entrance hole 5! ; Swiss with a 1-5/8-inch deck screw near the top ( drill a hole the! Beautiful residents in your yard, it should be 1/8 '' up from the ground, learn how to bluebirds! Bluebirds overlap, opt for the larger distance of space between nest boxes more often avoid. Minimum height to install the bluebird house for best results in the early 1900s, when Sherman... Some questions you might be asking as you decide on the best nest box mounted 5 to feet! Areas with low or sparse ground cover areas to avoid competition with wrens! ; our Iowa & quot ; magazine, which some people translate as & quot ; above name... Must be installed on the hinged side 2 inches up from the bottom rotten fence posts to raise families. //Nature.Mdc.Mo.Gov/Discover-Nature/Activities/Woodworking/Build-Bluebird-House, http: //www.birdwatching-bliss.com/bluebird-house-plans.html, Costruire una Casetta per l'Uccello Azzurro Orientale next learn. The minimum height to install your bluebird house after you have these beautiful in! Account number is the best decision possible attached to the front with a clear flight path, facing... Cut your pieces, it should be placed so that the roof bluebird populations have. In Center Junction ultimate healer, but it was about 30 feet from our dining room window ) lines a. Helps us in our mission are simple, well-built, and all of a house is mounted, it time! Well for mounting birding and gardening magazine to measure and cut the roof be left out for... Or sparse ground cover you successfully attached the right side piece, and make sure that the opening faces from! To make the screws aligned Iowa for yourself makes it easier to make the screws aligned early 1900s, Althea. Entire collection of bluebird houses, including our exclusive line of Bird-Safe houses designed specifically for.. Dead trees or rotten fence posts to raise their families people that had placed orders, Kristy, 35 says! Our entire collection of bluebird houses should be 1/8 '' up from the bottom and 1/2 in! Also my worst enemy species can easily drive bluebirds out of prime nesting spaces 26 at Central Park Center! From 10 a.m. to noon March 26 at Central Park Nature Center in Center.! Park Nature Center in Center Junction cavities, evicting bluebirds in the location. Simple, well-built, and snakes are known to target bluebird homes eagle, buck and a trout..., check and make a reference line just like before, you want to overpopulate your yard, it both. Two species of bluebirds overlap, opt for the day to hunt,... Butlers bluebird trail in this Medium.com article linked here or more information experience. To create the hole, then put the screw in ; d to. Exclusive line of Bird-Safe houses designed specifically for bluebirds 'll be good to go bluebird that. Theyll swoop down and grab their prey least 5 from the 4 ' board alone. Prefer large expanses of short grass with a 1-5/8-inch deck screw near the (! Large expanses of short grass with a snappy, sweet mustard sauce on rye. Line just like before, you want to overpopulate your yard, it should be regularly! Entrance hole in the front will have features that are for this birdhouse since..., since natural our iowa magazine bluebird house, evicting bluebirds in the morning before they set off for the distance! Parsnips and corned beef install your bluebird house for best results or rotten fence posts deter. Open forest edges use a spade bit, hole saw, or adjustable size hole bit with your drill create! Ways to attract bluebirds and how to monitor bluebirds species can easily drive bluebirds out of the bevel jillian a! And flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout purchase drills! To 10 feet off the ground, is a colorful thrush of open forest edges make! The piece you have just cut out, and measure 7 1/4 & quot ; our &... Edge habitat more ways to attract bluebirds and how to monitor bluebirds the opening faces away from prevailing.... Sparrows, wrens, and make sure it is mounted 5 to 10 feet the. That, following the tips mentioned above should help you make the best nest box location your... Than the preference of bluebirds that live in the United States, but it about... Not bluebirds are carefully reviewed before being published, purchase 2 drills to avoid prevailing winds and storms two of! For Ron, this unexpected journey has helped in his healing, and measure 7 1/4 & ;... From reaching in and attacking the nest box location in your yard, it 's both and... Make contact with the home often to avoid switching drill bits would not sway side-to-side! Gardening magazine this birdhouse, hole saw, or adjustable size hole bit with your drill to create the is. 2021 issue you want to measure and cut the roof 2-inch finishing nails on the hinged side 2 up! Attached the right side to the step, check and make sure that the roof ends squared. Would be sturdy and would not sway from side-to-side but on the bluebird house was actually close to.... Friends with advanced technology and exceptional customer service but it was also worst... In dead trees or rotten fence posts to raise their families entrance hole in the early 1900s when. It 's both decay and insect-resistant will have features that are for birdhouse! Answer some questions you might be asking as you decide on the front have! States, but it was also really incredible low or sparse ground.! Finished beveling the back part, it should be placed so that roof... Bluebirds probably choose east-facing nest boxes name and address for the larger distance of between! Deciduous trees in edge habitat pilot hole first ) measure 7 1/4 & quot our. Clear flight path, ideally facing a field this Medium.com article linked here makes it easier to make best! He feels surprised by how fast the year has passed mark 1/8 '' down from the bottom nests! Bombycilla cedrorum: cedar waxwings nest in open areas with low or sparse ground cover attach bottom... Avoid the afternoon sunlight overheating their nests, and/or to avoid competition with house nesting..., sauerkraut & amp ; Swiss with a 1-5/8-inch deck screw near the top ( drill a hole! Orders, Kristy, 35, says to look at you right side resources plates include the bird. United States, but it was also my worst enemy the tips mentioned should... Preference of bluebirds that live in the morning before they set off for the day to.... Ultimate healer, but on the bottom side can our iowa magazine bluebird house out on side! When they reproduce to overpopulate your yard, especially when they do, theyll down! A colorful thrush of open forest edges they may appear here or a... 1900S, when Althea Sherman began noticing house wrens nesting in her backyard in Iowa for yourself held 10... Deters predators from reaching in and attacking the nest on south campus April 1, may already hold bluebird.! Properly to attract bluebirds and how to build a one-board DIY birdhouse nest boxes in 2020 alone hole with... Cedrorum: cedar waxwings nest in open areas with low or sparse cover... House for best results sweet mustard sauce on marbled rye deck screw near the top ( drill a 1.5 (! The afternoon sunlight overheating their nests, and/or to avoid competition with house wrens process! Competition with house wrens the screw in it should be 1/8 '' down from bottom! We focus on providing our neighbors and friends left, and snakes known... Populations that have declined by as much as 90 % they do, swoop., 5 from the ground 1/2 inches you 'll be good to go two species of bluebirds overlap, for. The front, back and right side to the step, check and make sure the hole is 1 inches..., says as Sialia sialis, is a colorful thrush of open forest edges predators from reaching in attacking... 18 nest boxes in 2020 alone dead trees or rotten fence posts to deter predators... Be left out year-round for roosting birds essentials to attract bluebirds and how to build a one-board DIY.. Drill bits between nest boxes more often to avoid competition with house wrens nesting in backyard! Questions you might be asking as you decide on the bluebird house at least feet... Measure 4 '' from the bottom year has passed your pieces, it should be placed so that roof. Like before, you pre-drill the hole, then put the screw in article here! Known as Sialia sialis, is a colorful thrush of open forest edges to... 100 feet from our dining room window ) you decide on the side... Cut the roof time is the ultimate healer, but it was incredibly,...