Matty's Birdseye View From The Picket Fence

Bluebird Nesting

If you want to put up a nesting house for Bluebirds, then you will want to follow this guide.

1. You need a nesting house with wood that is at least 3/4" thick. Pressure treated wood that contains copper arsenate should not be used. 2. The side or front of the house should open up for monitoring and cleaning. 3. If you do not want an other birds in this house then perches should be avoided. 4. The roof should be slanted, the back being higher then the front. The roof should also overhang in the front by two inches or more, to prevent sun or rain in the hole.

5. It is best to place your bird house out in the open, away from shrubs and trees. House wrens which are highly competitive will not cross open spaces. 6. You should mount your box at least five feet off the ground. 7. Due to the wind, the entry hole whould face the south.

Here is an approximate schedule of bluebird nesting, once the bluebirds make a home in your bluebird box.

Nest building: 1-6 days Egg laying: 5-7 days Incubation: Eastern Bluebird - 12-14 days Mountain Bluebird - 13-15 days Western Bluebird - 14 days Brooding: 6 days (all types) Fledging: Eastern Bluebird - day 16-21 Mountain Bluebird - day 19-23 Western Bluebird - day 19-22

Nesting schedule of the baby bluebirds!

Day 1: Bright pink skin, eyes are not open, and down in tufts. Day 2-4: Wings, head and spine look bluish due to feathers developing. Day 5-7: Feathers begin to emerge on wings. Eyes are still closed. Day 7: First feathers burst from tip of sheaths. Eyes open only as slits. Brooding by female stops. Day 8-11: Eyes open fully. Day 11-12: Feathers of wing and tail reveal if the baby is a male or female. The male has a cobalt blue feathers and the female will have a duller blue feathers. Day 13: Babys become very active and could fledge the box if the box is left open. Day 14-22: Fledging and first flight. Babys remain in cover while parents bring food. Day 28: Fledglings fly strong. Follows parents. Day 30: Fledglings feed by themselves.