Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 4/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: We are making our yard into a bird/butterfly sanctuary. We want 4-5 bird houses for it.  I know there are Robins around where I live so one house will be a robin house.  I live near Chicago, but my neigborhood is not city-like.  It isn't rural at all (no big open spaces nor dense forest) but there are quite a few trees.  I have heard Chickadees, but not seen them too much, so would a chickadee house be useless?  Or will they probably come? And what about titmice, wrens, and woodpeckers?  Their range includes where I live, but I have never seen them. I don't know if they would live in an area what it is like by me. So basically what I am asking are what are some good canidates for bird houses in a suburban area.

ANSWER: Robins only make open nests and do not go in houses. Put up Bluebird houses and the Chickadees, Titmice and Wrens will all use them, although Wrens will prefer your plantpots, etc. I have a pair of Carolina Wrens nesting in a bicycle helmet in my garage. Hopefully you will not have House Wrens who puncture eggs and fill boxes with sticks. As birds are territorial the boxes should be 100 yards apart unless they are separated by a house or other big barrier. Send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird Book. Bluebird Bob. PS - if you do not have 100 yard spaces use your neighbor's property or put them along roads near your house. This really works as cars knock down and stir up insects.

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QUESTION: Well, its not exactly a robin "house" its a platform. We have a big house (you said that a house could separate boxes), so could we put a birdhouse in the front yard and one in back? I will ask my neighbor if they would like a decorative gourd for the wrens in one of their trees.

ANSWER: Yes I have an acre and one-half lot and I have one in each back corner facing the center of the lawn and one in front of the house. Bluebird Bob. PS - don't forget to send me your mailing address for the book.

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QUESTION: I have asked you a question before and I got the Bluebird book from you so don't worry- I read it all the time! Thanks for it too.

Even though I haven't seen any of the birds I listed, will they probably come?  If so, how likely is it?  

Answer
It is a bit early for your area. Birds here in many cases are just getting their first nests started, and in NE Oklahoma I am a long ways south of you. Be a bit patient, and if for some reason your yard is not a good area consider putting some boxes along roads near you, etc. Also keep a feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds in your yare all year and this will attract a lot of birds including the box nesting Black Capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice. Bluebird Bob.