Is there anything I can do to discourage sparrows from chasing bluebirds away from birdhouse?

I have a birdhouse behind my house in NW-NJ. More often than not, the aggressive sparrows scare the more timid bluebirds away and the sparrows nest in it. I want the bluebirds in it.

I have had success in the past with up to three hatchings of bluebird chicks in one season. Lately though, the sparrows have been taking over. Anyone have suggestions that may have worked for them?

Asked by JerseyErnie 33 months ago Similar questions: discourage sparrows chasing bluebirds birdhouse Sports & Recreation > Birding.

Similar questions: discourage sparrows chasing bluebirds birdhouse.

Ref. Below for bluebirds and sparrows 1. Sparrow-resistant Bluebird House:If you put up a bluebird house near an old field, orchard, park, cemetery or golf course, you'll have a good chance of attracting a pair of bluebirds.

They prefer nest boxes on a tree stump or wooden fence post between three and five feet high. House sparrows have been known to kill baby bluebirds as well as adults sitting on the nest. This Kentucky style, slot entrance bluebird house is designed to thwart sparrows.

According to research at the University of Kentucky, bluebirds prefer a slot entrance to the standard circular hole -- sparrows prefer the opposite. In addition, sparrows don't like a shallow box and bluebirds don't seem to mind. This box is only 5" deep but if sparrows still continue to be a problem, a wooden insert is included to reduce the depth even more.

Sparrows rarely use the 3-1/2" depth, but bluebirds will still occupy it. Dimensions: 10"high x 6"wide x 8-1/2"deepBluebird house can be purchased from the link below:http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/sparrow_resistant_bluebird_house.htm2. Sparrow Spookers:Sparrow spookers are extremely effective in deterring House Sparrows (HOSP) from entering a bluebird nestbox to attack eggs, nestlings or incubating adults.

You can't watch the nest 24/7, but a sparrow spooker will protect it for you. It acts like a sort of force field. It is literally a life saver.

They are used on active nests of native birds in conjuction with other HOSP control measures. Sparrow spookers are one of the few passive HOSP controls that really work. Nothing is guaranteed 100% effective against House Sparrows , but these come close if properly installed.

Timing: Ideally, put the sparrow spooker up after egg laying begins, but before incubation begins to protect unattended eggs, and give the parents more time to accept the addition so incubation is not interrupted (eggs can chill). If you put it up while eggs are still being laid (they lay one a day, and incubation does not begin until a full clutch), you will have confirmation (with a new egg the next day) that the spooker has been accepted. See discussion on why you should wait till the first egg.

For full Ref. Link below: Sources: http://www.sialis.org/sparrowspooker.htm .

How to Protect Your Home from Pesky Birds You can use Terror Eyes, which are big orange spheres that have holograms on them that appear to move when the bird looks at it from different angles. In addition to the eyes moving, it’s mounted on a spring that causes the entire predator to move and bounce in the wind. Another visual tool to scare birds away is Irri-Tape iridescent bird deterrent foil.It is available in a 100 foot roll and you simply cut off strips and attach them to fence posts, trees or rooftops to scare the birds away.

As the strips blow in the wind, they catch sunlight, producing constantly changing colors and patterns. And the tape itself produces a metallic rattle, unnerving birds with the sound too. Sources: bird-x.com/links/How%20to%20Protect%20Yo... .

To keep them away, get a set or two of Bird Spikes Birds and associated diseases are hot news right now. People worry and wonder about bird flu jumping species -- but in fact there are already over 60 different human diseases associated with birds and their droppings, some of which can be fatal. Pigeons, starlings, sparrows and crows roosting on the rooftops and nesting on your property are creating problems every day.In addition to carrying diseases such as salmonella, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, the birds are creating costly property damage.

Everything from unsightly stains to the actual deterioration of structures. Metal and wood can be eaten away by the acid in their droppings. The birds can also be a liability.

Homeowners or guests can slip and fall on droppings, and the dropping-laden premises certainly won't increase your property value! Think "barbed wire for birds.” Made of heavy-duty stainless steel or polycarbonate plastic, they come on a bendable base that mounts flat or on concave or convex curves.

They can be installed right side up, upside down or on an angle on rooftops, ledges and window sills, and offer a permanent, maintenance-free solution. “A no-brainer for a busy homeowner who has better things to do than think about birds Sources: bird-x.com/links/How%20to%20Protect%20Yo... .

1 Yes. You need to move the box to a less "dense" area. Most likely you have your box too close to shrubs and bushes if your box is still attracting sparrows.

Can you tell me if your box is in a field, or near shrubs? .

Yes. You need to move the box to a less "dense" area. Most likely you have your box too close to shrubs and bushes if your box is still attracting sparrows.

Can you tell me if your box is in a field, or near shrubs?

2 I DO NOT recommend harming any wildlife. Period. Here is the Sparrow info from the North American Bluebird Society:nabluebirdsociety.org/sparrowcontrol.htmI had a sweet English Sparrow female as a pet for 7yrs.

I can't imagine using some of their recommendations, but I could do the *harm* free versions they suggest.

I DO NOT recommend harming any wildlife. Period. Here is the Sparrow info from the North American Bluebird Society:nabluebirdsociety.org/sparrowcontrol.htmI had a sweet English Sparrow female as a pet for 7yrs.

I can't imagine using some of their recommendations, but I could do the *harm* free versions they suggest.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.