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House sparrows have been known to
kill baby bluebirds as well as adults sitting on the nest. This
Kentucky style, slot entrance bluebird house is designed to
thwart sparrows. According to research at the University of
Kentucky, bluebirds prefer a slot entrance to the standard
circular hole -- sparrows prefer the opposite. In addition,
sparrows don't like a shallow box and bluebirds don't seem to
mind. This box is only 5" deep but if sparrows still
continue to be a problem, a wooden insert is included to reduce
the depth even more. Sparrows rarely use the 3-1/2" depth,
but bluebirds will still occupy it.
North
American Bluebird Society Approved
Dimensions: 10" high x 6" wide x
8-1/2" deep
Eastern Bluebirds can be found east of the Rockies, throughout
the eastern United States and Canada, and down to central Mexico.
Some populations are year-round residents, but others migrate to
more southerly latitudes for the winter. Eastern Bluebirds are
found in suburban and rural habitats containing sparse vegetation
and scattered trees or other perches. They typically nest in
fields, meadows, and orchards, avoiding both densely wooded and
congested residential areas. The breeding season begins anytime
from mid-March to early April.
Mount the Sparrow-resistant Bluebird House so the entrance slot
is approximately five feet above the ground. If possible, face
the house away from prevailing winds and facing towards a tree or
shrub which is within 100 feet of the house. Trees and shrubs
provide a landing spot for the young bluebirds when they first
leave the house. This will keep them off the ground, away from
predators. Eastern Bluebird Houses should be spaced at least 100
to 150 yards apart.
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|  House Sparrow Control
House
Sparrows
House Sparrows are the most abundant songbirds in North America
and the most widely distributed birds on the planet. House
Sparrows are not actually sparrows, but are Old World Weaver
Finches, a family of birds noted for their ingenious
nest-building abilities.
History
House Sparrows were introduced into North America from England in
the 1850s on the mistaken premise that they would help reduce
crop insect pests. At first, the new immigrants welcomed this
little bird of their homeland. Within 25 years, however, they
realized the seriousness of their mistake: the House Sparrow
population had increased at an explosive and alarming rate, and
the birds were causing extensive damage to crops and fruit trees.
They were also taking over the nesting sites of native
cavity-nesting birds.
Life & Habits
The breeding season for House Sparrows begins early in the spring
or even in midwinter, and each pair may produce up to four broods
a season. The male House Sparrow's bond with his nest site is
stronger than his bond with a mate - he may lose a mate, but he
won't give up his nest site. Although they usually prefer to nest
in a cavity, House Sparrows will settle for any nook or cranny
they can find. They will also occasionally nest in coniferous
trees and in the nests of Cliff Swallows and Northern Orioles.
The male constructs a bulky, dome-shaped nest of coarse grasses,
weeds, hair, and feathers. The female lays three to five
white/brown speckled eggs and incubates for 11-14 days. The young
sparrows fledge after 14-16 days. They are not migratory, but
flocks of birds move about within a 1.5-2mi. area. House Sparrows
are primarily seed-eaters, although they eat some insects during
the summer. They will also dine on garbage. Feedlots and
farmsteads are particularly attractive to sparrows as they
provide an abundant source of food, as well as shelter and plenty
of nesting sites.
Sparrow Control on a Bluebird Trail
Control of sparrows on a bluebird trail can be either PASSIVE
(taking preventative measure when placing the bluebird house to
deter sparrow use) or AGGRESSIVE (taking measures after the
bluebird house is in place and sparrows are using it).
PASSIVE CONTROL
1. Bluebird House Location
Bluebird house location is the most crucial factor in controlling
sparrows on a bluebird trail. The House Sparrow's Latin name, Passer
domesticus, aptly describes its preferred nesting habits -
around houses. Avoid placing bluebird houses near farmsteads,
feedlots, barns, old out-buildings, etc. Bluebird houses placed
in or around villages, towns or cities will likely be claimed by
House Sparrows. If sparrows do take up residence, one option is
to relocate the bluebird house to a site farther away from human
occupation.
Sparrows may avoid a nesting site if the bluebird house is placed
too low to the ground (3 to 5 feet). However, since bluebird
houses placed this low run the risk of being predated by
raccoons, cats, or other climbing predators this is a feasible
option where there are no climbing predators.
2. Plugging the Entrance Hole
Plugging the entrance hole of a bluebird house taken over by
sparrows will prevent the male from using that specific bluebird
house, and might even encourage him to move elsewhere. Some
bluebird trail operators plug the entrance hole at the end of the
nesting season and leave it plugged until the bluebirds arrive in
the spring. This will prevent sparrows from roosting in the
bluebird house during the winter, and then staking an early claim
in the spring.
3. Use a Sparrow-resistant Bluebird House
According to research at the University of Kentucky,
bluebirds prefer a slot entrance to the standard circular hole --
sparrows prefer the opposite. In addition, sparrows don't like a
shallow box and bluebirds don't seem to mind. This box is only
5" deep but if sparrows still continue to be a problem, a
wooden insert is included to reduce the depth even more. Sparrows
rarely use the 3-1/2" depth, but bluebirds will still occupy
it.
4. Eliminating Feeding Areas, Roosting & Nesting
Sites
Problems on a bluebird house trail can be reduced if the overall,
local House Sparrow population can be reduced. This can be
achieved by taking control measures at bird feeding stations (use
of sparrow-proof feeders; avoiding cheap, mixed bird seed that
contains a high percentage of filler grains, such as milo, millet
or cracked corn; or use of monofilament line around seed
feeders), as well as sealing up all potential winter roosting and
summer nesting sites.
AGGRESSIVE CONTROL
1. Regular Monitoring
Regular bluebird house monitoring is the most effective way to
control House Sparrows. If sparrow nests are regularly removed,
no young will fledge from the bluebird house. However, the male
will tenaciously defend his bluebird house, and will usually keep
rebuilding his nest. He will also drive off any other bird that
might express an interest in the bluebird house. Therefore, it is
important to eliminate the male. This is usually accomplished
using an in-box trap.
2. In-box Trapping
Two traps that work well are the basic Huber-style and the
Gilbertson universal trap.
Do not set a in-box trap until a sparrow has laid claim to that
bluebird house. Once he has claimed it, he will not allow any
other species inside. The male sparrow will be more likely to
enter the bluebird house if a small amount of nesting material is
left in the bottom or tucked in the entrance hole. However, be
careful that the nesting material does not interfere with the
trap. The trap must be checked at least every two hours because
there is the remote possibility that a bluebird or other native
cavity-nester may have entered the bluebird house.
To remove a trapped House Sparrow from a bluebird house, place a
clear garbage bag over the entire box and remove the trap with
the bag still over the bluebird house. Once the trap is removed,
the sparrow will fly into the bag. This is a much easier method
than trying to reach into the bluebird house and catch the
sparrow by hand.
Since House Sparrows are classified as pests and are not
protected by federal law, they should be quickly and humanely
dispatched as soon as they are captured. Do not consider
relocating the bird, as this just relocates the problem. The dead
sparrows can be frozen and given to raptor recovery centers to
feed their injured raptors.
3. Multi-bird Trapping
There are several ways to trap a large number of birds
A. Ground Traps: These traps are easy to
construct, and can hold a large number of birds. Approximately 10
birds should be kept in the cage trap at all times to act as
decoys. These decoys can be attracted into the trap by baiting
them with white feathers, grain, bread scraps, white proso
millet, mixed bird seed or cracked corn in it. A small mirror
placed in the bait compartment of the trap helps to lure the
sparrow in. Food, water, and shelter must be provided at all
times. Since sparrows are gregarious, the success of cage traps
depends on the birds being attracted to the food and to each
other. For this reason, the trap works least effectively in areas
with a high initial population. Used continuously once the
population is under control, its effectiveness, though varied
throughout the course of the year, is usually consistent. These
traps are especially effective during the winter, and when
juvenile birds are abundant in mid summer.
B. Cage Traps: Basically, these consist of nest
boxes atop a wire cage. The nest box has as hinged floor, which
tips the bird down into the cage below.
C. Drop traps, which simply drop down over a
flock of feeding sparrows, can also be used once the sparrows are
coming into an area regularly to feed.
D. The Cedar Valley Live Trap: This is a
repeatable trap that has a small "catcher" area that
opens through a one-way trap door to a large holding pen. This
permits the capture of a large number of birds.
IMPORTANT: All multi-bird traps must be checked daily
to ensure that the trapped sparrows have adequate food, water,
and shelter, and in case a native sparrow or other songbird
becomes trapped. Native birds should be released
immediately. The male House Sparrow is very easy to
identify, but the females are quite similar to some species of
native sparrows. Check a bird book if necessary.
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