My Blue Birds

My Blue Birds

by Mariann Harsey
(Columbia)

I don't know if this is the right place for my story but I need some help. I have a pair of Eastern Bluebirds that have a nest in our back yard.

This is the 3rd set and something keeps getting the birds after they have hatched. I get so angry because they are some wonderful birds.

I kept and eye on them and the last ones that hatched were about 10 days old. I go out to check on them and they are gone.

I was hoping maybe they have moved them but my husband says they don't move their young.

Can any one tell me what or how these birds are disappearing. I thought about buying a camera to put in the box so I can see what is happening.

If any one can give me any suggestions I would love to hear them.

You can email me at marylu577@yahoo.com

Thanks Mariann

Administrator Replies

It sounds like you need to add some sort of predator guard around the pole or post you have the Bluebird house attached to.

Snakes, opossums, raccoons, will climb up the post and reach in to get the Bluebirds. For some ideas on predator guards please see:

Predator Guards

Any of you other Blubird landlords please comment for Mariann.

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My Blue Birds

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Nov 12, 2008
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my predator solution
by: Landy

A few years ago we installed 3 Bluebird boxes on some posts similar to telephone poles. In order to keep predators away, I went to an auto parts store and bought a tub of multipurpose grease for about $9. Using latex gloves, I smeared the grease all around the pole about a foot below the box making the grease approximately 15 to 18 inches in height. I reapply it when it seems to get hard or dry. This has worked each year and we have lots of happy bluebirds!

Sep 01, 2008
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Blue Bird Predators
by: Anonymous

I had the same problem with my blue bird babies disappearing before they were big enough to leave the nest and found the cause to be snakes. Snakes don't like sulphur, so I got a small bag at a local Home and Garden Supply Center and sprinkled a ring of it on the ground around the pole the nest was on. Several days later I witnessed the results when I saw a large snake crawl up to the edge of the ring of sulphur and stop. He stayed several minutes, then turned and crawled away. My blue birds and I were very pleased. This time they survived to maturity.
There is a product called "Snake Away" whose ingredients are mainly sulphur and napther (as in moth balls), but is more expensive than a bag of sulphur. Good luck.