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Chickadee nest boxes

14 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
14 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
14 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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If I were you I would put up the other box out of site of the Chickadee box. Also if there are eggs in the dees nest add a 1 1/8" hole reducer so a Bluebird can't get in. Blues usually don't tolerate nesting next to Dees for some reason. I have many paired boxes, had them paired at 15 feet apart for two years and nothing would let another bird nest that close to it. Moved them to 25-30 feet apart and the TRES and BLues nest together happily at that distance. TRES and Dees can nest that close together too but not sure about BLues and Dees. Good luck!
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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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First of all don't put worms right by the nestbox...you will be attracting other birds and predators. If they come to your feeders put the worms there for them. Second if you don't have a baffle add one. Just because you didn't have a predator get your Blues last year doesn't mean something won't get the Dees this year. Wobbling stovepipe is cheap and easy to put up and will deter climbing predators. Chickadees lay one egg a day until the clutch is complete usually with 6-8 eggs. The eggs are usually covered up by a layer of fur (blanket) to hide the eggs. Once the clutch is complete the momma will start incubation which takes 12-13 days. From hatching fledging usually occurs around day 16. Never check on a nestbox in the morning if you think they may be laying eggs, you do not want to disturb her while she is laying. Some Dees will stay on the nest during monitoring, that is normal. Once you know how many eggs there are (usually during incubation you may be able to see if she leaves them uncovered) and estimate when they will hatch, then count the days and do not open the box after day 10/11 from hatching to prevent premature fledging. Good luck!
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I had to google to see what you are talking about as I've never used one. According to this link it needs to be 2-1/2 to 3" away from the opening. http://bluebirdnut.com/forums/topic/how-to-make-a-wren-guard-with-photos/
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Lexarose
Original Author
14 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
14 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
14 years ago
Wow that is so sad, now I really want to help them.
renee_2006
14 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
14 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
14 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
14 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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