Expert: Julia Booth - 3/12/2008

Question
Do you know if I could encourage bluebirds to build in a house if I provided berries in a feeder?  I do get them in the summer for the second family, but really want them in the early spring too.  Have been told I need food to attract them.  I have a nice feeder they do use for the cake I make for them in the summer.  Thank you.  Nancy

Answer
The best way to attract bluebirds is actually with mealworms. You can buy them freeze dried and not live, if the thought grosses you out too much.

You need a special kind of feeder to present these. Here's a link to one example: http://www.birds-n-garden.com/mealworm_bird_feeders.html

You can probably find cheaper versions or even make your own.

Bluebirds do also eat berries. You can put the cranberries in the same feeder with the mealworms or in a platform style feeder nearby. Dried berries will even work. You can put them into the cake instead, if that is easier. (I'm assuming you make your own suet cakes. Good for you.)

Hope that helps,

Julia