I built a birdhouse

[zulu421]

It has been up a good six months. Didn't think anybody would occupy it. But a couple weeks ago a pair of house sparrows had a discussion, and decided to move in! I live to be excited about simple things like this.

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

Nice design on the house and nice pics! I like the last.

 

[zombiesniper148 13]

Very cool.

 

[zulu421]

thanks guys

 

[BrentC]

Very nice little birdhouse. Do you get Swallows or Bluebirds around your area? If you do strongly consider using the smaller hole size for your birdhouse so that Swallows and Bluebirds will nest but sparrows can't get in. When I recently had to deal with flocks of house sparrows going to my feeders I did a lot of research on them so I can get rid of them. They just became too much.
House sparrows are an invasive species to North America that just keep growing. And they are right bastards. They invade swallow, bluebirds and other nests and will destroy eggs and kill young ones. In fact they are a big factor in the declining bluebird population.
Because they are not protected by the Migratory Act there are people and organisations that kill them by the hundreds and destroy their nests to help control the population. I could never do that myself but understand why its needed.
Anyways just a thought. I worked hard myself adjusting feed and feeders for the past two years to get rid of grackles, red-wing blackbirds and now house sparrows. Now I mostly get just the native species. And I'm not refilling the feeders every day anymore.

 

[zulu421]

Very interesting. My mom also suggested a smaller hole. In fact, that hole is smaller than it originally was based on her suggestion. She was concerned about larger birds and cats. I didn't know anything about the house sparrow situation.
Can't say I've seen swallows or bluebirds around - but there well could be.

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Very nice little birdhouse. Do you get Swallows or Bluebirds around your area? If you do strongly consider using the smaller hole size for your birdhouse so that Swallows and Bluebirds will nest but sparrows can't get in. When I recently had to deal with flocks of house sparrows going to my feeders I did a lot of research on them so I can get rid of them. They just became too much.
House sparrows are an invasive species to North America that just keep growing. And they are right bastards. They invade swallow, bluebirds and other nests and will destroy eggs and kill young ones. In fact they are a big factor in the declining bluebird population.
Because they are not protected by the Migratory Act there are people and organisations that kill them by the hundreds and destroy their nests to help control the population. I could never do that myself but understand why its needed.
Anyways just a thought. I worked hard myself adjusting feed and feeders for the past two years to get rid of grackles, red-wing blackbirds and now house sparrows. Now I mostly get just the native species. And I'm not refilling the feeders every day anymore.

Starlings are just as bad or worse then house sparrows. starlings kill larger birds and even bluebirds if they can fit into the nest. like the northern flickr. the northern flickr will win the fight inside a nest box but outside the nest box the starling will win. i know of people who moniter nestg boxes for flickrs and if they see starlings in them they bring a pellet gun out and shoot the starling then pull the body out.

 

[BrentC]

Very nice little birdhouse. Do you get Swallows or Bluebirds around your area? If you do strongly consider using the smaller hole size for your birdhouse so that Swallows and Bluebirds will nest but sparrows can't get in. When I recently had to deal with flocks of house sparrows going to my feeders I did a lot of research on them so I can get rid of them. They just became too much.
House sparrows are an invasive species to North America that just keep growing. And they are right bastards. They invade swallow, bluebirds and other nests and will destroy eggs and kill young ones. In fact they are a big factor in the declining bluebird population.
Because they are not protected by the Migratory Act there are people and organisations that kill them by the hundreds and destroy their nests to help control the population. I could never do that myself but understand why its needed.
Anyways just a thought. I worked hard myself adjusting feed and feeders for the past two years to get rid of grackles, red-wing blackbirds and now house sparrows. Now I mostly get just the native species. And I'm not refilling the feeders every day anymore.

Starlings are just as bad or worse then house sparrows. starlings kill larger birds and even bluebirds if they can fit into the nest. like the northern flickr. the northern flickr will win the fight inside a nest box but outside the nest box the starling will win. i know of people who moniter nestg boxes for flickrs and if they see starlings in them they bring a pellet gun out and shoot the starling then pull the body out.

Yeah Starlings were a problem for me as well as well. Safflower seeds is a big part of the cure. It's a little more expensive then sunflower, but I use less now so its a wash. They don't grow in the east only out west and places in Africa. It has a bitter taste that grackles, starlings and blackbirds don't like so won't eat. Also Squirrels don't like it and will only eat it if they are extremely hungry. I had squirrels coming to my backyard all the time but never had an issues with them, but since I put the safflower feed I don't see squirrels anymore. So if you have a squirrel issue at your feeders, use safflower.

All the other birds like it. I use both safflower and nyjer seeds.