OHIO BLUEBIRD SOCIETY

ABOUT BLUEBIRDS
Nest Boxes & Trails

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Photo by Fawzi Emad
 

NEST BOX INFORMATION

TRAIL INFORMATION


The Bluebird Nest Box


Setting up a Bluebird Trail

  • A good bluebird nest box should be well ventilated, have watertight seams, contain drainage holes on the floor, be easy to monitor, and be easy to clean.

  • Cedar and Redwood are ideal, although Pine, plywood and other types of wood can be used. The outside of the boxes can be painted or stained. A light color is preferred to control heat.

  • Various types of treated lumber should not be used because of its chemical toxicity.

  • Boxes for Eastern Bluebirds should have a round entrance hole of 1-1/2" to 1-9/16" (38 - 40mm).

  • Oval holes measuring 1-3/8" X 2-1/4" may also be used for the Eastern Bluebird.

Mounting the Box

  • Smooth round pipe is probably the best and simplest mounting system. An ideal pole material is 1/2" electrical conduit, but any smooth round pipe will also work. Metal poles can be polished with steel wool and coated with carnuba wax.

  • Coating the pole with grease will also help to keep predators off of the box.

  • If rat snakes are known to be in your area consider a proper pole baffel.

  • Unless your trail is in an area where raccoons are not present, avoid mounting Bluebird boxes on a fence line or on trees. Raccoons are known to walk fence lines and may find your boxes.

  • Mount nest boxes so the entrance hole is approximately five feet above the ground. If possible, face the box away from the prevailing winds and facing towards a tree or shrub which is within 100 feet of the box. Trees and shrubs provide a landing spot for the young bluebirds when they leave the box. This will keep them off the ground, away from predators.

  • Boxes for the Eastern Bluebird should be spaced approximately 100 yards apart. If you are trying to "pair" your boxes, place two boxes within 10 feet of each other.

           

 

 


 

  • Habitat is the key factor to consider when setting up a Bluebird trail. Open country with scattered trees and low or sparse ground cover is best. Suitable habitat should include perch sites, such as a fence line, wires, or tree branches where Bluebirds may perch to search for food. A  second requirement is short or mowed grass. Areas with very tall grass are not ideal for Bluebirds. If Bluebirds do not like the habitat, they probably will not use your boxes.

  • Pastureland, acreages, parks away from human traffic, and mowed areas such as cemeteries, and golf courses are all good locations for a Bluebird trail (provided pesticides are not used).

  • Avoid placing boxes within 100-120 feet of brushy and heavily wooded areas - this is the habitat of the House Wren.

  • Avoid areas where the House Sparrow is abundant (i.e. around houses, farmsteads, and animal feedlots).

  • Avoid areas of heavy pesticide use.

  • Boxes can be mounted in pairs where Tree Swallows are abundant. When paired, boxes should be mounted 5 to 25 feet apart. This provides nesting sites for both species and helps to prevent competition between them. Different species of birds usually do not mind nesting close to each other.

Monitoring a Bluebird Trail

  • Please do not put up a Bluebird box if you do not plan to monitor it. Check your boxes at least once a week during the nesting season, until chicks are close to fledging.

  • Generally avoid opening the box after nestlings are 12 to 14 days old. Doing so could result in the nestlings leaving the box before they are able to fly, greatly reducing their chances for survival.

  • Always remove House Sparrow nests immediately. Trapping and eliminating these exotic birds is preferred.

  • Have your Bluebird boxes in place by early-March when the Bluebirds return from their winter migration and are looking for nesting sites. (Note: Bluebirds are present in Southern Ohio most winters.)

  • Bluebirds usually have two broods per season, but three broods are possible.

  • Learn to recognize a Bluebird nest - it is cup-shaped and is usually made up of 100% woven grass. Pine needles may be used.

  • Bluebirds usually lay 4 or 5 light blue eggs, but may occasionally lay as many as 6 or 7. A small percentage of their eggs may be white.

  • The incubation period for Bluebird eggs is 12 to 14 days.

  • Nestlings remain in the nest 18 to 21 days before they fledge.

  • Remove all nests as soon as the young birds have fledged. Do not leave the old nest near the box as it could attract predators.

  • Keep records on your Bluebird trail. This information is valuable to groups like the Ohio Bluebird Society, and the North American Bluebird Society. (Please send your nest box data to OBS each year.)
   

Building an environment with habitat to attract Bluebirds can be rewarding for an individual, a family, an organization or a community. Bluebirding is a great family activity.

Humans have altered the environment but if we continue to help we will always have Bluebirds in Ohio.