Monitoring Bluebird Nest Boxes: Tips for Success
Bluebird nest boxes are a wonderful way to support native bird populations, but simply putting up a box isn’t enough. Active monitoring—checking your nest boxes at least once a week—is essential to ensure the success of bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds. Proper monitoring can prevent problems, help track population trends, and protect your feathered friends from non-native species and parasites.
Why Monitoring Matters
A nest box that isn’t monitored may do more harm than good. Checking the box regularly allows you to:
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Identify and remove blowfly larvae, which can weaken or even kill nestlings.
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Replace nest material when saturated by rain or damaged, increasing chick survival.
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Record species using the box to track population trends.
Bluebird societies encourage reporting all species that use your boxes—not just bluebirds. Native species like tree swallows, house wrens, and black-capped chickadees are beneficial and worth noting.
Non-native species, such as house sparrows and European starlings, can be aggressive and drive bluebirds from their nests. Using the correct entrance hole sizes (1 ½ or 1 9/16 inches) can help prevent starlings, but house sparrows must be removed to protect native birds.
Exotic Nutrition’s Study Nest Box - Small is designed to be easily opened for monitoring from the side, front, or top, making it simple to care for and track your bluebirds.
What to Monitor
When checking a box, observe and record:
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The species using the box by examining nest material and eggs.
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The date and number of eggs or chicks.
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Nest health and signs of parasitism, such as blowfly larvae.
For bluebirds, eggs are laid one per day until the clutch is complete, followed by 13-14 days of incubation. Chicks remain in the nest for 17-18 days, and after the 13th day, it’s best to observe from a distance to avoid premature flight.
How to Monitor
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Choose calm, mild, and dry weather to reduce the risk of chilling eggs or chicks.
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Open the nest box carefully, keeping eggs or chicks secure.
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Examine chicks for signs of blowfly larvae—look for small scars under the wings or larvae attached to the chick.
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Replace nest material with dried lawn clippings if needed, or remove the nest after fledging to encourage re-nesting.
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Record all observations and securely close the box.
Identifying Nests and Eggs
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Bluebird: 1-4 in. tall nest of fine grasses or pine needles; 4-6 powder blue or white eggs.
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Tree Swallow: Nest of grasses with flatter cup, sometimes lined with feathers; 5-7 white eggs.
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House Wren: Tall nest of sticks lined with fine fibers; 6-8 small tan, speckled eggs.
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Black-capped Chickadee: Moss and plant down nest, lined with hair; 5-8 white eggs with brown speckles.
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House Sparrow: Tall coarse grass nest with scraps of paper or cellophane; 5-7 cream-colored eggs with brown markings.
Supporting Bluebirds with Nutrition
Providing food near your nesting boxes can help attract and sustain bluebirds and other beneficial birds. Exotic Nutrition offers a variety of insect-based foods that are perfect for wild birds, including:
Offering these nutrient-rich foods can support the energy needs of parent birds as they feed their chicks, ensuring healthier and stronger fledglings.
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