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The Best Nesting Box to discourage House Sparrows

flowerpowereverett

14 years ago

I am posting for a friend, we want to know the best nestbox for bluebirds, but one that is the least likely to attract House Sparrows. Also, if a trap is used, are there legal requirements in TN, and is it possible to donate collected specimens to be used as Rehab Raptor Center food? Any information would be so greatly appreciated!

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Comments (5)

ohsoblue77
14 years ago
According to my own personal research, the Gilbertson PVC would be the least appealing nestbox to House Sparrows (HOSP)

I would call a wildlife number for TN to find any regulations on trapping. Most areas allow it, euthanasia is the bigger issue. Also, check out sialis.org for more on that.

Yes, it is very much possible that a Rehab center would take the HOSP. I emailed my local Raptor Rehab Center, who are under 10 miles away, and they said they would love to take them, and that they infact trap for the bluebirds too!

~Tim!

Here is a link that might be useful: House Sparrow Euthanasia
kendra2003
14 years ago
From everything I've read, I have to agree with Tim. The Gilbertson PVC box is less likely to attract them, though it is not a guarantee. They do make a universal trap for that box as well. I'm sure a raptor recovery center would love to take any you do trap.
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Donna, thanks for letting her finish with her babies. How big is the entrance hole, if it is a very small one (less than 1&1/2") it is a Wren of some sort. You can go to www.whatbird.com to get an ID. It's hard to tell how long she will take unless you have a good idea of what day they hatch. You will notice a lot more coming and going while she is feeding them. As they get older and are nearing time to leave you will really hear them chirping when Mom comes with food. They should not take longer than 14 days once they hatch (not really sure of Wren timetable). Are your screens removable? if they are it may be a good time to take them down for a good cleaning. I think it will be a challenge for the babies to find the hole, is there any other opening for them to get out? Mom will eventually guide them out but it would be much easier on them if there was a bigger traget.
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Nicknack, can you get a van ert to trap the hosp that are nesting now? They come in the mail pretty quick and are usually easy to install,then you can be rid of the pest. Can you get the new gilbertsons but keep the others up for tres or whomever? I think sometimes these birds like a variety of types to choose from. I'm not sure how they come as far as being easy to install,but I bet your local wild bird store would have all the necessary hardware to make it easy to mount your new boxes. Thank you for baffling and caring for these birds.
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One method I use to make sure the HOSP does not escape is to put a large mesh laundry bag over the nestbox and pull the draw string tight. I then open the nestbox and examine the bird. I have 2 traps in my Martin house but cannot use the laundry bag there. The sparrows love it. I can usually hear them thumping around trying to get out. Yesterday, both traps were tripped, but I could not hear or see any birds. I thought maybe the wind had tripped the traps. Never will I assume that again! One sparrow flew out. I did get the male. Linda C
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While letting them nest without allowing their eggs to hatch is better than allowing their eggs to hatch, it is still not a good solution. Remember they will quickly figure out if they are wasting time sitting on dud eggs and will just re-lay. You are correct that just evicting them could cause more trouble for the Bluebirds. As Donna said, please get a sparrow spooker up on the Bluebird box, and get yourself a Van Ert in-box trap asap. Eliminating the HOSP is really the only way to go, as they are extremely prolific.
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nicknackhummer
14 years ago
Hello, I'm who FlowerPowerEverett was posting for. Thank you for the information. I've been researching it, too, and have found the Gilbertson box available to order. I plan to order it immediately. I hope it's easy to post mount.
dzyg
14 years ago
nicknackhammer....you meant metal post mount, right?? You do want to baffle the pole you are putting it on so raccoons, squirrels, snakes etc cannot get into the nestbox and eat the eggs/babies or incubating adult.

Donna
nicknackhummer
14 years ago
Donna, yes I meant metal post mount. I do use racoon baffles on my boxes. I didn't think I lived in an area where house sparrows were a problem. This was a complete shock to me.

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