Bluebird Nesting 

Once a mated pair of Bluebirds decide on a nesting location, the female
builds the nest in four to five days with minimal help from the male. The
female incubates as the male does not have a brood patch. The brood patch is a
patch of featherless skin on the belly that is used to warm the eggs. The male
will occasionally "sleepover" in the nest box with the female. The key to
attracting Bluebirds to nest is having plenty of nesting locations along with
food and water. If your yard is heavily wooded you may not be able to get
Bluebirds to nest because they tend to prefer open areas mixed with trees.
Since they naturally use tree cavities, a tree trunk is an ideal mounting
place for the house. Place the box four to eight feet high near open areas and
preferably with the hole facing south or east for sun exposure. Offer perching
spots near the house where they can scan the landscape for food items.

The female lays four to five light blue eggs that hatch in 13-15 days.
The male catches insects to feed the nestlings a high protein diet for their
rapidly developing bones and muscles. The young will fledge in 15-20 days, so
avoid the temptation to spy on the nest two weeks after hatching so the
nestlings don't panic and fledge before they are ready. For two weeks after
fledging the parents continue to feed the young while they learn to fend for
themselves. Bluebirds will often re-nest and attempt to raise a second brood.
These family units often stick together until the following spring.

Songbird Essentials Ultimate Nest Box
is the "Ultimate"

Our option because of the following features:

- Predator protector of solid copper to keep squirrels and woodpeckers
from enlarging the hole.

- Elevated mesh floor to protect nestlings from Blowflies.

- Zinc chromate plated screws provide a sturdy, longer-lasting house
than one built with nails.

- Made of natural cedar to last for years and resist insect damage.

Check out Songbird Essentials Ultimate Nest Box as shown below.

Bluebird Food

The best way to attract and keep Bluebirds in the yard is to
offer food and water. Their preferred food item is high protein mealworms.
Other options include, dried mealworms, canned meal worms, Bluebird Nuggets.
Try planting berry bushes like American Bittersweet in the spring to provide
natural food for the next winter.

Simple plates and trays will do for feeding, but non target species may
rob the food before the Bluebirds get there. A more efficient approach is to
use a Bluebird Mealworm Feeder like the Songbird Cedar Model. These feeders
have an entrance hole that birds must go through to get the mealworms. Most
birds are unwilling to enter enclose spaces, but Bluebirds don't mind so they
end up being the primary mealworm beneficiaries.

Check below for the Bluebird Food items we have available: