Christine, some nest boxes are better suited to BB's that others. The one in the link is a stardard BB box but there are other similiar designs. BB's prefer to nest in open fields and meadows that contain scattered trees and shrubs. Woodland habitats are less favorable to bluebirds. A number of other birds will use BB boxes including wrens and English sparrows. However wrens prefer nesting in a woodland locale. English sparrows, or house sparrows (HOSP) will nest anywhere and they are the greatest enemy to BB's. They've been known to kill the babies and build their nest right over them. So if you don't have the heart to discourage these aggressive birds, bluebirding may not be for you. Some people go so far as to trap the HOSP and kill them. There's a door on all BB boxes for monitoring or cleaning the box after the babies have "fledged" or flown the coop:)Birds will not nest in a box when the door is open. I use a stick to prop it open. These birds are smarter than you may think and they can close the door. I used to put large sticks in the hole but the HOSP would remove them. Then you MUST remove their nests. I wait until I see a couple of blues checking out the box...then I close it securely. It's best to mount your BB box on a metal pole. That makes it impossible for squirrels, snakes, racoons and the like to climb up. Many people use a "baffle" to keep predators at bay. There is a BB forum at gardenweb (naturenet) but I find many of them folks there to be super snobby so I don't post there. It's good reading tho. http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/bluebird/ BB's are territorial when they're nesting so nest boxes should be placed a min of 100 yds apart. I have 2 boxes that are spaced about 40' apart and generally tree swallows will take one box and the blues will take the other, as the TS are also territorial. That way I figure they can look after each other. TS are amazingly acrobatic and watching them is such a joy. Both birds enjoy the company of humans and like nesting close to homes. Two of my boxes are placed in the middle of my perennial bed about 50-60' from my deck. I walk around the yard and work in the garden and they don't seem to mind at all. One last thing, blues start looking for nest sites around the end of April, 1st of May. Sometimes they'll start building a nest and then desert. No one knows why. Their preferred nesting material is straw or pine needles. Even tho there are several large pines in the vicinity of my boxes, they always go for the straw in my veggie garden. They can also fledge more than one brood in a season. Two years ago just as I had given up, a pair of blues moved in around the end of June and fledged 5 babes a month later. I hope that helps!! Here is a link that might be useful: BB box

itrom.......Last year when chickadees took over our fave BB box after so many year of having only BBs in the box there were reclaim fights but the BBs did not win and we never saw any all summer and that was sad. That particular box is the one we can see easily and we love to watch them and take photos. There are two other boxes nearby so I kept asking myself why can't the cute chickadees just use those...lol. BBs have moved into the fave box and I hope there is peace! Good luck and enjoy whatever nests ...or...put up another box and if you do make sure you follow instructions as to how far from the fist one.

I have two bluebirds in my backyard. They are feeding the little one in the birdhouse. They have been here for two week. One of them has just begun tapping on my doors and windows. Then flying to the birdbath, then flying to the feeder and back and forth. The birdbath was empty and so was the feeder. Now both are full and he is still tapping on my windows. He comes to a window, then to the birdhouse, and back and forth. Is he trying to communicate something? Also, last summer, there was a bird that tapped on my front door in the night, I could see him through the partial glass. He would not see his reflection at night. What could be the reason for that behavior? Barby

Hi Mollymac. Welcome! Please go to the www.sialis.org web site to learn about Bluebirds. Sounds like your set up may not be right. You will see them bring bugs to the box when there are babies. Tell us where your box is mounted, can cats racoons squirrels get to it? Do you have House Sparrows or House Wrens in your area? The website will cover all these issues. We are here to help!