skip to main content

Attracting Bluebirds

18 years ago

Hello, I live in Northeast USA and I would love to have bluebirds in my yard. I live next to a state park and I go there a lot to watch a pair of Eastern Bluebirds that I've seen raise young for multiple seasons. This park is probably less than a mile away from my home. I have not seen any bluebirds in my yard and I would really like to know how to attract them to nest or maybe even just feed at my home. I have never seen any Starlings or House Sparrows in my yard, so they can't be a possible factor. I am not an experienced Bluebirder but I have been dealing with birds for a very long time.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

kenn3d
18 years ago
Hi birdsare,

I would suggest a properly mounted bluebird nestbox as the number one attraction. Put it up now, as they will be shopping for next season soon. A (not too deep) birdbath is very helpful also. And of course, if/when they come... offer them mealworms... preferrably in a feeder that deters bigger birds like robins, mockers, etc.

If they're nesting repeatedly in a nearby park, your chances of attracting a pair to your yard should be pretty good.

best luck,

Kenn

Here is a link that might be useful: lots of blues in our yard
donnalovesblue
18 years ago
This was my first year to attempt attracting bluebirds. We moved last summer, and my new backyard provided an opportunity with several open spaces. I put up a nestbox and lo and behold, around October, I was so excited to see some blues investigating the box. Had no idea whether they would choose to nest...activity really picked up in January and that's when I luckily found this forum. Finally, in March, they began building! I had two succesful nestings! I didn't know about mealworms until around Feb....that's when I first began feeding them.

The minute I saw that first blue, I was totally hooked! Kenn is right...get a nestbox up now so you'll be ready when they start house shopping....good luck!

Donna
Related Discussions
Bluebird House Help!!!
Q
Comments (4)
I dropped in here for the first time because of our wonderful bluebird summer. We have open meadows and although I wanted DH to put up some birdhouses specifically for bluebirds, he didn't get around to it. They must be nesting in old woodpecker holes in the woods. We had a very dry summer so the birds discovered my shallow granite bird bath next to the stone wall and bushes at the edge of the lawn. The side benefit to my vegetable garden was the bluebirds and phoebes loved the metal fencing (old concrete reinforcing panels) I used for sugar snap peas. They perch and watch for a tasty insect. I also planted spreading cotoneaster and a viburnum shrub next the the kitchen window and walkway. The contoneaster is loaded with berries and I wondered why nothing seemed to be eating the berries. I wondered too soon. This morning my husband called me to the window to see our bluebird family feasting on the berries. What a delight. Thanks for posting about the bluebird forum. I'll have to find it. I think the water, shrubs plus fencing helps attract the birds to our yard. We have other wild shrubs around that have berries so they might be eating those, too. I still want some bluebird houses.
...See More
any bluebirders here from massachusetts?
Q
Comments (12)
Hi Chickadee, I also live about 20 miles west of Boston (kendra we must be near each other). The bird counts I participate in indicate a relatively large population of bluebirds in this area. In Spring 2006 I started feeding the birds BOSS in one small tube feeder and than built a suet log in December and started making home-made suet mix. A couple months later (Feb 2007), two female Bluebirds showed up on the suet log. At the time, I had no idea what kind of bird it was, but figured it out and was thrilled. The Bluebirds have been coming regularly for three winters now, to eat the suet mixture, but they would disappear by Spring. I tried putting up a nest box, but despite removing several large trees and many invasive plants, the yard was still too overgrown, and the box only attracted House Wrens. I continued to clear out invasive shrubs and vines, but purposely left some dead pine snags in the back yard standing, "for the birds". Much to my shock, Bluebirds decided to nest in woodpecker holes in the pine snags last Spring! I never thought they would nest here. Three successful broods in 2 different snags - because the first snag blew over in a rain storm after the first brood, so they moved to another. A pair of Bluebirds (perhaps the same pair?) is clearly expressing their intent to nest in the snag again this year, but there are both House sparrows and House wrens in the yard. I have already set up a "decoy" nest box with a Van Ert trap and trapped one male House sparrow. There is a pair of HOSPs that are very interested in the box now, and plant to set the trap when they start to build a nest. Checking out "their snag" last month -
...See More
New to Bluebirding
Q
Comments (6)
Depends where you are located. Are you in town or on the outskirts? For the most part Bluebirds are not in town so to speak but that all depends on the town itself as far as how big the lots are and how much open land there is. I know in town here closer to the edge of town I do hear Bluebirds. Is your birdhouse easily visable from the air or trees? Putting up a bluebird feeder will not attract Bluebirds since Bluebird need to be trained to come to a feeder so you need to actually have Bluebirds around before you can start feeding them. Bluebirds primarily eat insects, in Winter or cooler months or if bugs are scarce they will eat suet or berries though. But during nesting season they pretty much stick to bugs. Pretty much putting up a house and waiting is what you need to do to attract Bluebird so you are doing things right, especially if you have read and followed the advice on silais on how to properly install a nestbox. Have you had any interest in your birdhouse from other birds? Have you seen or heard any Bluebirds in your area? Donna
...See More
Looking for Urban bluebirding suggestions.
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Bob. I am new to the forum and was reading through some of the threads. I wanted to check in and see what type of Bluebird Nest Boxes you erected. Bluebirds can be very particular about their houses and feeders. The location of their nest boxes is critical to success. Bluebirds prefer big, open spaces in a pesticide free location with scattered trees or fences for perching. Late February and early March is the time to set up bluebird nesting boxes if you want to encourage these birds to make a home in your yard. This may seem a little premature, but late winter and early spring is when male scouts are out looking for a place to nest. I have a link to our website that offers several products that are Bluebird specific. Here is a link that might be useful: Attracting Bluebirds
...See More
bluebars
18 years ago
Visit this link for tons of info about bluebirds.
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html
trailerparkbirds
18 years ago
They also like to hang out on the top of things and keep an eye out on everything, so a good TV antenna helps out.
Keith
birdsarecool
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everyone, I am glad I found this website.
birdsarecool
Original Author
18 years ago
My only concern is that I have not seen a single bluebird in my yard. What will make them want to check out my yard, and how will they be attracted the nest box without physically being in my yard to see it.
bluebars
18 years ago
Bluebirds are always scouting for housing, even if its not the nesting season. During winter or bad weather, they might use a nestbox for roosting at night. But they are always checking out possibilities. Young that were raised this year will be looking for new homes in late winter, as the parents will chase them out of their immediate home territory to find homes of their own.
I would suggest setting up a proper, safe nestbox in an open area. If bluebirds are in your area, they WILL find it. Visit the link I posted above, and start with "Bluebird Basics" so you can avoid some the errors and problems that so many of us have had to learn the hard way.
But without a doubt, a nestbox is the best thing to attract bluebirds.
When we moved to our current house, my DH set up a nestbox for me on Valentine's Day (in frozen mud with much protest). The bluebirds must have been watching because within 15 minutes they were checking it out! And we have hosted bluebirds ever since.
BlueBars

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Bring the Joy of Bluebirds to Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Attract these beautiful songbirds with nesting habitat and food sources, including berry-producing trees and shrubs

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Columbine Grows Happily in Shade and Sun

By Paintbox Garden

Its ethereal beauty comes from complex forms and wide-ranging colors, but columbine’s benefits are highly attractive too

INSPIRING GARDENS What We Can Learn From Longwood Gardens’ New Meadow

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sustainability, ecology, native plant communities ... this public garden is brimming with lessons on horticulture for home gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES 13 North American Backyard Birds to Know

By Annie Thornton

Find out about these enchanting native species and learn how to attract them to your yard

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Northern Bush Honeysuckle, a Bronze Beauty

It helps control erosion and takes sun or shade. The butterflies love it. But the best part of this shrub may be the vivid foliage

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sambucus Nigra Caerulea for the Birds

By Debbie Ballentine

Blue elderberry is a favorite of birds and other wildlife in its native California

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Feed the Birds: 6 Plants for Abundant Winter Berries

By Therese Ciesinski

Be kind to your fair feathered friends during lean food times by planting a shrub or tree loaded with nutritious snacks

Sponsored

Hope Restoration & General Contracting

35 Reviews

Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations