| The recent history of the bluebird is a tale | | | | houses and do considerable damage to nests, |
| of adventure and of near disaster. Bluebird | | | | eggs, and hatchlings. (Tree mounted bluebird |
| population was on a serious decline. Humans | | | | houses can work if the danger from predation |
| took more and more land, relentlessly | | | | is very limited.) |
| encroaching on the bluebirds' natural | | | | |
| habitat. Worse, people brought competing | | | | The terms "beautiful songbird" and "fiercely |
| species of birds to North America from | | | | territorial" do not sound as if they should |
| Europe, namely the European starling and the | | | | describe the same object, yet, in the case of |
| English house sparrow. Bluebirds now had to | | | | bluebirds, both are accurate. Bluebirds will |
| fight aggressive invaders for their | | | | not nest in a house near another bluebird |
| ever-shrinking territory. They were losing. | | | | house. The veteran bluebirder will always |
| | | | place additional bluebird houses at least 300 |
| Then, in the late 1970's and early 1980's, a | | | | feet away from existing bluebird houses. |
| few dedicated organizations and many | | | | |
| wonderful people cared enough to make a | | | | Position the bluebird house so that the entry |
| difference. They began putting up bluebird | | | | hole faces away from prevailing winds to keep |
| housing, and helping in the struggle against | | | | rain out. The bluebirds' entry hole should |
| pest bird species and predators. They | | | | also face away from direct sunlight to |
| learned what type of bluebird house the | | | | prevent overheating. |
| little songbirds preferred. They learned | | | | |
| where to put bluebird houses to ensure | | | | As to actual location, think of the edge of a |
| greater success. They learned, in essence, | | | | meadow bounded by woods. An open area with |
| to live in balance with bluebirds, which is | | | | low grass, or even no grass, gives bluebirds |
| an amazing and rewarding feat for a person to | | | | a nice place to hunt for the ground dwelling |
| accomplish. Over the last 25 years or so, | | | | insects they feed upon. Woods or even just a |
| bluebird populations have made a remarkable | | | | few trees nearby provide a nice perch on |
| comeback. However, we must still do more. | | | | which bluebirds may rest when they are tired |
| Humans still need to provide properly placed, | | | | from all the insect hunting. |
| properly managed bluebird houses to continue | | | | |
| to strengthen the species. | | | | Tree swallows and violet-green swallows might |
| | | | compete with bluebirds for housing. In this |
| Bluebirds, purple martins, and other wild | | | | case, the best solution is simply to put up |
| birds need our help, and will readily accept | | | | another house 20 or 30 feet away from the |
| it. All we humans need is a little | | | | original. Bluebirds and swallows will live |
| knowledge, a little caring, and the will to | | | | in proximity to one another in relative |
| act. | | | | peace, as long as they all have a place to |
| | | | stay. |
| Placing a Bluebird House | | | | |
| | | | A bluebird house placed in a good location |
| Post or a pole mounted bluebird houses will | | | | and properly monitored has a very good chance |
| see the most success. A dab of grease or | | | | of attracting a pair of bluebirds. It may |
| petroleum jelly applied to the post or pole | | | | take two or three seasons for it to happen, |
| will help deter some craftier predators like | | | | depending on how dense the local bluebird |
| cats, raccoons, squirrels, and snakes. | | | | population is, but, eventually, bluebirds |
| Bluebird houses mounted on a tree or a fence | | | | will nest. Though bluebirds are making a |
| are generally more susceptible to these | | | | comeback, they still need help; help comes |
| interlopers; if there are house wrens in the | | | | one bluebird house at a time. |
| area, they also may invade the bluebird | | | | |