If you want to attract bluebirds, you’ll find that they will come into platform feeders filled with mealworms and raisins soaked in water, they will also frequent a heated birdbath in the winter months, and they will roost in a nest box in your yard, or along a fence row.  Predators of the bluebird include snakes, raccoon, cats and even the common starling and house sparrow, both of which will attempt to take over the nesting box you provided for your bluebirds.  There are also three types of bluebirds, the eastern, mountain and western bluebird, each require a different sized entrance to avoid non-bluebirds from using the nest.  You can also try a slotted entrance bluebird house, which is less likely to have sparrows overtake the nest.  Generally, a mountain and western bluebird house should be 5" X 5" (LXW), to 5-1/2" X 5-1/2", with a bluebird entrance hole of 1-9/16".  An Eastern bluebird house can be smaller, 4" X 4" base to 5" X 5" base.  With either a 1-1/2" circular hole, a 1-3/8" X 2-1/4" oval entrance or a 1-1/8" horizontal slot entrance.

Now that you know more information about bluebirds, you can start to look at your own backyard, and envision a feeder, nest box, and even a heated bird bath, which goes with your décor.  Now, you can start hunting online or in your local store, or make your own feeders and houses.  Look for birdfeeders made of cedar, metal, glass or plastic to last the longest.  Look for ones which drain well, and look to be solidly constructed.  When feeding mealworms, remember that more than just the bluebird enjoys mealworms, so one product which works great for feeding them is the Looker Products Bluebird and Chickadee feeder.  This feeder is like a platform feeder, but is enclosed, so that larger birds can’t get in and devour your mealworms in one sitting.  Another type of tray feeder available is a window tray feeder, so you can feed the birds right outside your window for a great experience!

When looking for bluebird nesting boxes, make sure that they have the right entrance hole for the bluebirds in your area, and buy one constructed of cedar and make sure it is easy to clean and view.  If you have raccoon and cats in the area, consider purchasing a squirrel baffle, and mounting it below or above the bluebird house to keep the predators from getting in.  You can also purchase or make an entrance hole guard, to make it more difficult for the predator to get into the house.  If you see house sparrows starting to build a nest in the bluebird box, don’t be afraid to knock it out a few times until you discourage them and attract a female bluebird to build a nest. 

All birds and wildlife require water.  If you don’t have any on your property or nearby, consider purchasing a bird bath.  You’ll want to buy one which is well constructed.  At Barn in the Sticks, we offer one with a tough plastic bowl, making it easy to clean and fill.  If you are looking for a concrete style, you’ll probably need to shop at your local store, since the weight of the concrete is going to make the shipping cost more expensive. 

Remember to keep your mealworm feeders full, houses clean, and birdbath clean, and you should have happy bluebirds around your yard!