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Bluebird Predators

10 years ago

After losing a total of three nests at two locations I had decided it must be flying predators so I installed a game camera on a new nest in a pox that had been previously ravaged. These are not at my home where I can closely monitor them but check them each morning. I learned today that the nest with 5 eggs had been ravaged by a starling.
I don't know what I can do to protect my birds. I wonder if the fishing line for repelling sparrows would help with the starlings. Also most of my boxes have spacers in the bottom per the Coveside design. Will the Blues still use the boxes if I removed the spacer to lower the nest in the box? Please help if you can. My birds are having a bad season this year.

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Comments (6)

parkernicole01
10 years ago
Hi Jo- so sorry to hear about the bad luck for you & your bluebirds. That's such a bummer! Starlings can be so nasty! I heard a similar story from someone on the bluebird nut cafe & it turned out her box opening (hole) was slightly larger than 1.5" in diameter (when she thought it was). Starlings should not be able to get into that sized-hole since they are a bit larger (unless they are unusually smaller than the norm). Check that 1st to be absolutely sure. If that happens to be the problem, then you could just put a hole reducer on your boxes. If that's not the problem, look up that thread on bluebirdnutcafe.com & hopefully, you can get to the bottom of this. If you don't find it, would suggest that you sign up for that forum (it's free). There are SO many bluebird experts on that site. If you have any trouble signing up, there is an email address listed (lady's name is Cher) & she can get you signed up. So sorry this is happening!

Nicole
parkernicole01
10 years ago
Don't think removing the spacer would solve anything for you (as far as I know).
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Nicole, my mom's best friend found them her hospital's gift shop! I will see if they have more! You've been my hugest support through the bluesy bluebird year! I think I am going to display them and never wear them though! The other present was from my nurse practitioner's 10 year old daughter who I let have a peek at the babies before fledge. We don't have robins here but it was such a sweet sentiment!
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parkernicole01
10 years ago
Hi Jo- was wondering what you found out. It just dawned on me that you may have asked about moving the spacer if starling was able to get to babies without entering the box. Was this the case, or was starling actually able to enter the box? So sorry about what's happened!

Nicole
Jo Tipton
Original Author
10 years ago
The pictures I captured never showed the bird entering the box except for being able to put his head into the opening. I was thinking without the spacer he wouldn't be able to reach the eggs or baby birds but I expect the birds would build the bottom of the nest up to the higher level anyway. I have taken the spacer out of two boxes but the blues have already built nests in the others so I am only wringing my hands and hoping for the best now.
parkernicole01
10 years ago
Hi Joe- can't believe the Starling would do that when they can't even use the box as a nesting site! Well, I can, but why are they so vicious? It sounds to me like your boxes may not be the correct measurements? I don't know them off hand, but the bottom of the hole should be a certain amount above the bottom of the floor to avoid this kind of thing. However, there is a solution. You need to install a predator guard to your box entrance(s). They are usually some type of wood with metal around the hole that increases the depth of your hole. This way, the Starling (or some other predators) should not be able to get to the eggs/babies. Until then, I'm afraid you could continue to encounter this problem. I got a predator guard at Wild Birds Unlimited. If you have a wild bird store in your area, they should carry these. Otherwise, you should be able to purchase online & get it rushed to you. They are inexpensive & very easy to install with just two screws. I can't imagine that Starling could get to babies with this in place. Please get one for your boxes! Really wish you & bluebirds much success!

Nicole
parkernicole01
10 years ago
Joe- did you ever come up with any solutions?

Nicole

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