How to Attract Eastern Bluebirds to Your Nesting Boxes

Since the introduction of the house sparrow and the starling in the 1850s to the United States, bluebirds have had to compete for territory with those aggressive non-native species. Bluebird populations have increased somewhat due to the efforts of people putting up birdhouses with bluebirds in mind. Eastern bluebirds require a slightly smaller house and nesting materials than their Western and Mountain cousins, so preparing the right size house will lure the birds. Maintaining the birdhouses in between nesting seasons and deterring predators can also help attract Eastern bluebirds.

Things You'll Need

  • Cedar wood board 4 feet by 1 inch by 6 inches
  • Cedar wood board 10 1/2 inches by 1 inch by 10 inches
  • 2-inch finishing nails (20)
  • 1 and 5/ inch galvanized screws (4)
  • 8 feet of 3/4 inch conduit strapping
  • Table saw
  • Power drill
  • Hammer
  • 6 feet to 8 feet of galvanized steel pipe
  • 20-pound bag of cement for setting pipe
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Metal sleeve approximately 1 foot by 6 feet
  • Suet feeder
  • Nesting materials (pine needles, fine grasses)
  • 1 or 2 bird baths with heating element
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill a hole 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter and 6 to 7 inches from the floor of the box. Hole size is important in deterring predators and larger birds like starlings from entering the nest. The placement of the hole allows for the proper depth of nesting materials inside the box, provides some protection from predators and, at just the right height, offers a spot for the nestlings to look out of the hole once they're a little older.

    • 2

      Make the floor at least 4 inches by 4 inches. This will provide a good-sized base, not too small, which can deter a large brood but not so big that the birds will have to work extra hard to fill it up with nesting materials.

    • 3

      Place the birdhouse 4 feet to 6 feet off the ground. It can be attached to a pole, fence post or screwed into a tree. Eastern bluebirds prefer nests in fairly open areas with sparse ground vegetation and small trees or shrubs for perching and hunting located within five to 100 feet of the nest. Many birds prefer houses that are away from prevailing winds and rain, so face the house south or east for added protection.

    • 4

      Deter predators from capturing the baby birds by employing methods to keep raccoons and other animals from getting into your birdhouse. Applying petroleum jelly or oil to a metal pole is one method. Screwing a metal sleeve, one foot wide, around the tree that the house is mounted can also discourage predators.

    • 5

      Hang a suet feeder with bluebirds' preferred nesting materials. Eastern bluebirds like pine needles, fine grasses and weed stalks for lining their nests. Unlike the Western and Mountain bluebirds, these birds do not use feathers or hair. Hanging a feeder full of materials near the birdhouse may encourage bluebirds to set up house.

    • 6

      Keep water available year round. Having two or three water sources available for bathing and drinking, especially in the winter, will help keep bluebirds coming back. Also, providing food is an excellent way to bring bluebirds close.