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Chickadee nest boxes

12 years ago

I saw a chickadee checking out my bluebird boxes the other day,was surprised as I've never seen one going in and out before. However every box this season has bbs or tres claiming ownership. If I were to buy a chicadee house where would be a good spot to place it? Near my house, near the feeders, near shrubs? There are no woods at all but a smattering of large trees and shrubs, mostly wide open. I'll probably go thru the trouble and expense of buying a new box, baffle and pole and it will decide to go somewhere else. Also can hosp enter a chickadee box?

Thanks, Sue

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Comments (9)

nicknackhummer
12 years ago
Sue, unfortunately house sparrows can enter chickadee boxes, too. Most people let the chickadees use their bb boxes. After the chickadees build their nest if you want to put a hole reducer on the box that will keep the bbs from kicking them out. It won't keep the house sparrows out though.
renee_2006
12 years ago
You can use a 1 1/8" hole reducer on the box. Best to wait until the first egg is laid for that. It will keep out HOSP and BB. It will not keep out HOWR though since they can fit in a 1" hole.
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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.
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Hi Jann, Crazy old me. Please forgive me? Living over here where I do, I am thinking of way south Florida for zone 10. Gosh, you are a lucky duck then. I obviously don't anything about either of those species. I do know though that some of my neighbors to the north say that their Chickadees (which would be Black-capped)are not nesting in their boxes. Our Carolinas nest easily in the boxes. Conversely, our Carolina Wrens do not tend to use boxes, while I understand that the pesky House Wrens further north won't stay out of people's bird houses! So, I assume that there are regional differences in their nesting preferences. I would think that someone who lives in your immediate area would really be able to help with the nestbox placement, since they would know what is characteristic of the wonderful birds that you have. I hope that person shows up here to help you. Good luck to you!!
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What a very handsome Daddy! It always amazes me when these birds check out each other's housing. They seem to be so curious about who's taking up residence. This morning a brown headed nuthatch landed briefly on the bb box, tried to peek in, but the new Daddy Blue swooped down and chased him off, obviously while Mama was on a brief break. The BHNU nested here last year in a box on the opposite side of the yard, but not this year to my disappointment...but I was just as thrilled to have the dees! Sounds like you have alot of action going on. Hope all continues to go well. Donna
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Lexarose
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you both for your response,I've always thought chickadee houses were very cute and would love to put one up. Hopefully it's found a nice natural cavity. Do tres kick out chickadees also?
renee_2006
12 years ago
Just about everyone kicks out the little chickadees if the hole is big enough for the other bird to fit through.
Lexarose
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow that is so sad, now I really want to help them.
renee_2006
12 years ago
They are cute little birds. I'm being honored with a pair nesting in the bluebird box this year. I put a 1 1/8" hole reducer on the box to keep the bluebirds out of it until the dees are finished.
dzyg
12 years ago
If you put up a house made specifically for Dees, make sure they are as deep as those made for bluebirds. While Dees seem to prefer smaller floor space boxes they still need the same depth to the nestbox, shallow boxes are not good. My Dees unfortunately this year are now excavating an old woodpecker drilling in a dead tree, not sure how I am going to keep them safe in that vs my nestboxes!

Donna
dodgerblue
12 years ago
Chickadees crack me up...Their jibber jabber is the funniest thing I've ever heard/seen...They're like the chihuahua's of the bird world....
newyorkrita
12 years ago
I have houses with those really small 1/18 inch entrance holes and the chicadees use those just fine. In fact that is what they seem to like best. And the House sparrows can't fit in there.

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