If you’ve ever seen a bluebird’s vibrant plumage, you know the allure of these colorful creatures. Their cheerful songs and bright feathers make them a delightful addition to any backyard. But bluebirds are selective about where they settle, and creating an inviting space for them requires some careful planning.
Here’s your ultimate guide to attracting these beauties to your yard.
1. Offer Bluebird-Specific Nest Boxes
Bluebirds are cavity nesters but struggle to find natural nesting spots due to competition with invasive species like house sparrows and European starlings. Providing nest boxes specifically designed for them can make all the difference.
Ensure the entrance hole measures precisely 1.5 inches in diameter—just the right size for bluebirds but too small for many other birds. Position the box 4 to 6 feet off the ground in an open, sunny location, ideally facing east, to keep it cool. Mount a predator guard around the pole to deter snakes and raccoons. With the right setup, your new bluebird tenants will feel right at home.
2. Provide Live Mealworms
Bluebirds are primarily insectivores, and they can’t resist the protein-rich snack of live mealworms. While providing them isn’t necessary for survival, mealworms act as a bonus that encourages bluebirds to visit and stay in your yard.
Offer mealworms in a shallow dish or bluebird feeder with a roof to keep out the rain. Start with just a few at a time until they catch on. Once the bluebirds become regulars, they’ll eagerly wait for their daily mealworm treat.
3. Install a Birdbath with Running Water
A birdbath with a steady trickle of running water is irresistible to bluebirds. The sight and sound of moving water attract them to drink and bathe, which helps keep their feathers in top shape.
Position the birdbath in a sunny area with a clear view of the surroundings so bluebirds can spot predators. Keep the water shallow (no more than 2 inches) and change it regularly to prevent contamination. Adding a dripper or bubbler provides that enticing flow of water that bluebirds love.
4. Plant Native Berry-Producing Plants
While insects are their primary food source, bluebirds supplement their diet with berries, especially in winter. Planting native berry-producing plants gives them a natural, year-round food supply.
Opt for shrubs like dogwood, holly, elderberry, and serviceberry, which produce berries high in antioxidants and vitamins. These plants not only provide food but also offer shelter and nesting sites, creating a bluebird-friendly habitat.
5. Reduce or Eliminate Pesticide Use
Pesticides may protect your plants, but they also kill the insects that bluebirds rely on for food. Reducing or eliminating pesticide use in your yard encourages a healthy insect population, which, in turn, attracts bluebirds.
Instead, opt for natural pest control methods like introducing beneficial insects (e.g., ladybugs), using insecticidal soaps, or employing companion planting strategies. Your garden will thrive, and so will the bluebirds.
6. Provide Open Spaces for Foraging
Bluebirds prefer open areas where they can easily spot their insect prey. If your yard is densely vegetated, create clearings or mow patches to offer these desired hunting grounds.
Maintain a patch of short grass or bare ground where bluebirds can see and swoop down on insects like beetles and caterpillars. Position your nest boxes near these open spaces to make the hunting even easier.
7. Install Multiple Nest Boxes
Bluebirds can be territorial, especially during the breeding season. To prevent conflicts and encourage more pairs to nest in your yard, install multiple nest boxes spaced at least 100 yards apart.
If space is limited, consider placing a pair of nest boxes near each other but with entrance holes facing different directions. This setup may attract different bluebird pairs or help reduce competition among them and other cavity-nesting species.
8. Keep House Sparrows & Starlings Away
Invasive house sparrows and European starlings often outcompete bluebirds for nest boxes, sometimes even destroying eggs and killing nestlings. Managing these aggressive species is crucial to providing a safe space for bluebirds. (ref)
Monitor your nest boxes regularly and remove any house sparrow or starling nests you find. You can also install “sparrow spookers” on bluebird boxes once bluebirds have laid eggs. These devices use fluttering strips of mylar to deter house sparrows.
9. Offer Suet in Winter
When insects are scarce during the colder months, suet provides much-needed energy to bluebirds. It’s especially important for their survival during prolonged freezes.
Choose a suet feeder designed specifically for bluebirds or a mesh cage that allows them to cling and feed easily. Fill it with high-quality suet cakes containing nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for an extra boost of nutrition.
10. Educate & Involve Your Neighbors
Bluebirds are migratory and travel across territories that likely extend beyond your yard. Educating your neighbors about attracting and protecting bluebirds can create a broader habitat network.
Encourage them to put up nest boxes, reduce pesticide use, and plant native berry bushes. The more bluebird-friendly yards in your community, the better the chances of attracting these stunning birds to your neighborhood.
Attracting bluebirds to your yard isn’t just rewarding; it’s an opportunity to support these enchanting birds in their natural habitat. By offering proper nesting boxes, providing mealworms and suet, planting native berries, and maintaining open spaces, you’ll create a haven that bluebirds will flock to year after year.
So, involve your neighbors, reduce pesticide use, and enjoy the joyful songs and vibrant colors of these beloved birds as they make your backyard their home.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.