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