How to Attract Bluebirds

How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard

3 bluebirds

Unlike other birds where offering food is the major attracter, for bluebirds, it's a house that attracts them first. The old saying "if you build it, they will come" certainly fits with these birds. Because of the decline in bluebird real estate (dead trees and wooden fence posts), there has been a serious decline in bluebird populations. So if you build or buy a birdhouse that fits a bluebirds size requirements, they will come!

big bluebird

Bluebirds appreciate a nest box. Bluebirds will nest as early as March, so putting up a nest box or bird house in January or February will help them out. Mount the nest box or bird house on a tree or fence post anywhere from 3 to 20 feet above the ground. Bluebirds also like an open space around their nest, so place the house on a tree or fence post that is at the edge of a wooded area, but that is open all sides.

Bluebirds also appreciate a bath and a nearby perch for preening. So a well placed birdbath that is near a fence, tree, or shrub will help entice a bluebird to your yard.

bbird Once you have a nest box or bird house up for the bluebird, don't forget to offer him something to eat. Blue birds like a variety of berries. I will list some of their berry producing favorites, some of which will have specific information on the gardening pages. If I list one here that doesn't have specific information about it on the gardening page, I will mark it with a *.

Wild Grapes*

Sumac*

Elderberries

Currants*

Bayberries

Deciduous Hollies

Blackberries

Virginia Creeper

Juniper

Pokeweed*

Burning Bush*

Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpurea)

Bluebirds also thoroughly enjoy peanut butter dough. Mix one part of peanut butter with 6 parts of cornmeal, and place it in a suet feeder or on a tray feeder. A special treat for bluebirds is mealworms. You can buy these at bait shops and pet food stores. Place them on a tray feeder or a special mealworm feeder. Mealworms are especially appreciated in the winter when the insect that bluebirds also eat are scarce or non-existant.

Ways to Attract Birds to your Yard
Feeding the Birds Providing Water for the Birds

Providing Housing for the Birds Landscaping and Gardening for the Birds

Other Methods to Attract Birds Providing Safety for the Birds

**Ways to Attract Birds to your Yard**
Feeding the Birds	Providing Water for the Birds
Providing Housing for the Birds	Landscaping and Gardening for the Birds
Other Methods to Attract Birds	Providing Safety for the Birds

bluebird

Other Birds You May Want to Attract
Back to the Main Page Attracting Hummingbirds

Attracting Orioles Attracting Cardinals

Attracting Finches Attracting Buntings

Attracting Woodpeckers Attracting Tanagers

**Other Birds You May Want to Attract**
Back to the Main Page	Attracting Hummingbirds
Attracting Orioles	Attracting Cardinals
Attracting Finches	Attracting Buntings
Attracting Woodpeckers	Attracting Tanagers

Since June 9, 1999