Bluebird Houses

By Doug Jimerson

If you've ever gone house hunting with your parents, you know how hard it is to find a house that meets your family's needs. Bluebirds have the same problem. These friendly and colorful birds like to nest in open areas, especially in old orchards or meadows. Today, however, many of these habitats are in short supply and the bluebird has to search far and wide for a safe place to live. Luckily, bluebirds will also move into birdhouses designed especially for them. Here's how you can become a bluebird landlord.

Things to know
Bluebird Basics: There are two kinds of bluebirds in the United States. The Eastern Bluebird can be found almost anywhere between the Rocky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It has a bright blue back and an orange breast. The Mountain Bluebird lives throughout the Rocky Mountains and western states. It has dark blue feathers on top and light blue feathers on its breast.

Timing: Mid-winter is the best time to put up bluebird houses. Although the birds are still spending the winter in southern climates, they do return early in the season. Plus, the earlier you install your bluebird houses, the more time they'll have to ''weather'' before the birds arrive. The more natural your boxes look, the more likely you'll get a feathered tenant.

Dimensions: Bluebird houses are easy to make, especially if you know an adult who can help you with the tools you'll need. The birds aren't too fussy about the houses they live in, but there are some guidelines you should follow if you decide to build your own. The box should be about 8 inches tall and be about 5 inches square. It will need a 1 1/2-inch entrance hole set about 6 inches up from the floor. It also helps to put a hinge on the front of the house so you can open up the box for cleaning. Of course, if you don't want to build a bluebird box, you can buy one ready made. Most boxes you buy are built to the right dimensions.

Placement: Bluebirds prefer to nest in open, sunny areas where they can swoop in and out to feed their young. If your backyard doesn't fit this description, find out if you can put up some birdhouses in your local park or on a nearby farm. Just be sure the box is securely mounted to a fence post or pole about 5 to 8 feet above the ground.

Maintenance: In the spring, it's a good idea to check your bluebird houses once a week. That way, you can be sure more aggressive birds like house sparrows, wrens, or starlings haven't taken over. If you remove their messy nests on a regular basis, these bird bullies will eventually give up and move to another location. Bluebird nests are made of soft grasses woven in a loose cup. If you're a member of a local 4H club, Scout Troop, or other club, see if your friends would like to help create and maintain a Bluebird Trail where you put up a series of boxes and maintain them as a group activity.

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